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.

I'd really been interested in opera when I was about 16, and I really like staging them.

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

On stage, the audience watches from a fixed viewpoint and the director cannot retake something he doesn't like. It has to work straight through.

With Cold Sassy Tree having its first production, I saw no necessity to do anything other than produce it with the correct setting.

It's not enough to hit the notes. There is no point in the singers just standing there and sounding wonderful if they're not connecting with the characters they are portraying.

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