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

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.

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.

Film is shot in fragments, and the same moments can be shot again and again until the director is satisfied.

It is essential to do everything possible to attract young people to opera so they can see that it is not some antiquated art form but a repository of the most glorious music and drama that man has created.

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

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