Quite a few operas are still being commissioned around the world, although nothing apart from audience popularity can ensure more than a few performances.

Directing an opera is similar to directing a play. The singing must not get in the way of the drama.

The number of opera houses around the world and the high attendance rates show that opera an art form that is more popular than ever.

There were movies that always made me want to be a director. You see brilliant scenes and the way the emotions were handled. I thought, I'd really like to do that.

With a film, I do my best to understand the author's intentions and try to bring the characters to life.

Quite a few operas are still being commissioned around the world, although nothing apart from audience popularity can ensure more than a few performances.

In silent movies, they tended to put the camera down, and everybody walked in front of it and acted, and then they all walked off. Cutting was quite infrequent.