I found a certain kind of music congenial to me; it never occurred to me to write music that was academically acceptable.

If something is successful with the audience, it's automatically suspect; the reverse is to say that not to reach audiences is the greatest compliment an artist can receive!

I've never set out consciously to write American music. I don't know what that would be unless the obvious Appalachian folk references.

Socially I never was an outsider. I have never thought of the conflict element before frankly, but perhaps it was wanting to belong, and at the same time wanting to retain one's own personality.

If I felt that one of my operas did not come off I would certainly say so.

It seems to me opera is just as relevant as an expressive art as anything else.

If an American audience is given a serious musical theater piece that is well produced, dramatically gripping and wonderfully acted, they'll respond to it.