Music is a continuum and the modern and avant-garde composers of today will be part of the standard repertoire 30 years from now.

So I've never found there was any particular separation between the two cultures at all, musically speaking.

Initially we performed in halls with capacities of 1,000.

If we perform the romantic repertoire we need more musicians.

As you know, there are certain languages that lend themselves very easily to vocal use.

If the (British) Arts Council give you money, they also tell you how to spend it.

There are some sounds that English singers find quite difficult to manipulate.