When the music and the characters are flawlessly synchronized, the opera develops an emotional force that movies and plays cannot match.

Perhaps the most difficult thing is shooting scenes set 6,000 feet up in the mountains of Mexico.

For a director, the most challenging scenes are the dialogue scenes.

The music of the most popular operas is so highly esteemed, it can stand endless revivals.

When we were trying to get the money together for the film, one reason that was consistently given for not investing in it was that everyone kept saying no one could direct it well enough to entertain an audience for 100 minutes essentially watching three people chatting in the kitchen.

In my view, the operas of Carlisle Floyd will find a place in the permanent repertoire.

In opera, everyone's watching from a fixed viewpoint, and that really challenges you. Lighting, the sets, stage groupings, the music-but doesn't relate too much to film.