One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.

Opera is a beautiful and important diversion for me.

As an art form, opera is a rare and remarkable creation. For me, it expresses aspects of the human drama that cannot be expressed in any other way, or certainly not as beautifully.

I am a very simple person. In spite of all that has happened to me, I have tried to remain the simple person I started out.

Opera is one of the most important art forms. It should be listened to and appreciated by everyone.

In opera, as with any performing art, to be in great demand and to command high fees you must be good of course, but you must also be famous. The two are different things.

I want to reach as many people as possible with the message of music, of wonderful opera.