I like to think of myself as a combination of Sid Vicious and Virgil Thompson

There's no life without humour. It can make the wonderful moments of life truly glorious, and it can make tragic moments bearable.

I believe in freedom Freedom's apparently all I need But who's ever been free in this world? Who has never had to bleed in this world?

I've always gravitated towards opera, and the Royal Opera House is quite possibly the greatest opera house on earth.

Crazy as it sounds, I'm a believer in destiny and serendipity, and I have had cosmic experiences all my life. Something told me I was meant for greater stuff. And look, I've had a baby! And I've written an opera!

Some people go to Berlin to get more cutting edge; I went and started wearing lederhosen and going to visit baroque palaces.

The thing I hate most is false modesty. The artists who are, like, "Oh, you know, I'm really not that good. Oh, I can't believe I'm here." I find it vaguely sinister, even.