When I was signed, at the age of 23...the fact that I presented myself as an out gay man was very, very unusual.

I think the minute you mention death, people run for the hills - unless it's heavy metal. People do not like death.

I have managed to eke out a good and substantial existence. I'm not shoveling gold bricks or anything, but I do very, very well.

Mowing your lawn is against nature.

I want to carve out a serious period of time to focus on the next opera without any distractions. And to do that you need money.

My love of maple syrup. I've been known to knock back a can over a couple days: A swig here, a swig there, and next thing you know it's gone. It's a habit I have to stave off. I don't want to lose all my teeth.

And you will believe in love And all that it's supposed to be But just until the fish start to smell And you're struck down by a hammer.