We consider Monteverdi the first composer of opera. There was someone before, but everything started with Monteverdi.

It's not difficult to sing in German; it's difficult to feel in German. This takes time. It's a culture.

Actually, I feel music becoming more and more important. It's a big source of inspiration. With what's going on in the world, we feel almost desperate. Music also brings you peace.

You must feel what you're singing, not just have a good presentation of the language.

The goal is always to make a nice tableau painting with the voice. The more color I can find, the more shadow I can find - the goal is always to make more nuance and colors.

The restaurants close here in Salzburg. They don't really have a nightlife in the winter time.

When you are accompanied by the instrument - on an instrument like the lute-the lute and voice - you have this sound, and you feel how the music can be so touching and yet so simple.