You either are or you're not.
It's the irrational things that interest me.
My operas usually come from musical ideas rather than ideas about subject matter.
My attitude to writing is like when you do wallpapering, you remember where all the little bits are that don't meet. And then your friends say: It's terrific!
My operas and my theatre works are very formal pieces.
I don't think there is much American music.