He'd be better off shoveling snow.

The human voice is the most beautiful instrument of all, but the most difficult to play.

The aria, after all, is the soul of opera.

On conducting: If you can just barely hear the French horns on stage, the balance is perfect.

Must one become seventy years old to recognize that one's greatest strength lies in creating musical kitsch?

I shall never be converted, and I shall remain true to my old religion of the classics until my life's end.

Never look at the trombones, you'll just encourage them.