If your body is not in shape to sing [from the diaphragm] you will push and push but keep falling back on your throat to make the sound. This will ruin your voice.

I remember quite well that 10,000 audience sang with us three on the spot, and ever since then, I always thought the Chinese audience are the greatest audience.

Opera is a beautiful and important diversion for me.

Music making is the most joyful activity possible, the most perfect expression of any emotion.

Learning music by reading about it is like making love by mail.

I've been buying the same lambrusco from Correggio [a town between Reggio-Emilia and Modena] since 1965.

The reason fat people are happy is that the nerves are well protected.