I am not an angel and do not pretend to be. That is not one of my roles. But I am not a devil, either. I am a woman and a serious artist, and I would like so to be judged.

I don't need the money, dear. I work for art.

On stage, I am in the dark.

[During fee negotiations for singing in Vienna:] I'm not interested in money, but it must be more than anyone else gets.

My poor sight gives me an advantage. I can't see the people in the audience who are scratching their heads while I am lost in my role and giving everything I have to the drama.

When the curtain rises, the only thing that speaks is courage.

When music fails to agree to the ear, to soothe the ear and the heart and the senses, then it has missed the point.