That's been my sort of aim in life, to never miss an opportunity.

I knew that I could be more creative onstage, to state my own case and deliver my own interpretation of the role much more aggressively than in the recording studio.

That's been my sort of aim in life, to never miss an opportunity.

When I'm alone at home, I really prefer to listen to Wagner's orchestral music rather than any vocal music. I find it illuminating not to have to pay attention to voices in the recordings.

I'm more confident now than I've ever been. As you get older, you have to be.

I never had the influence of any other singer in my music, so I sounded like myself all the time.

I grew up in the New Zealand countryside. We didn't have television until I was 14, so sing-alongs were our only entertainment.