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

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

I was encouraged by my mother and, to a lesser extent, by my father.

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!

America tends to worship the modest talent because it doesn't put us in an uncomfortable position vis-a-vis the artist.

You can't possibly predict what will last or not. But once you attempt to write for the ages, you're doomed.

Anyone who creates something new or does something different artistically is going to be singled out.