There is something inherent in our democracy that tends to want to level. America is a little uncomfortable in the presence of someone who is distinctly superior in whatever way.
Carlisle FloydI've never set out consciously to write American music. I don't know what that would be unless the obvious Appalachian folk references.
Carlisle FloydThe artist is something of an outsider in America. I have always felt that America does not value its artists, certainly not in the sense that the Europeans do.
Carlisle FloydIt's necessary to track characters all the way through an opera. If you're dealing with more than one or two characters, it's very easy to forget that the others have lives of their own that feed into the story.
Carlisle Floyd