The artist must yield himself to his own inspiration... I should compose with utter confidence a subject that set my musical blood going, even though it were condemned by all other artists as anti-musical.

Oh blessed a thousand times the peasant who is born, eats and dies without anybody bothering about his affairs.

I deny that either singers or conductors can "create" or work creatively - this, as I have always said, is a conception that leads to the abyss.

Of all composers, past and present, I am the least learned. I mean that in all seriousness, and by learning I do not mean knowledge of music.

It may be a good thing to copy reality; but to invent reality is much, much better.

You may have the universe if I may have Italy.

It is better to invert reality than to copy it.