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.

Children should be given the chance to play instruments, to sing.

There is no prodigy in our profession. If you see all the great singer of the past, none of them are.

On the day I'm performing, I don't hear anything anyone says to me.

I think Beijing deserves the Olympics in order to be with all the rest of the world recognized.

Above all, I am an opera singer. This is how people will remember me.

Opera is a beautiful and important diversion for me.