Opera needs to be a total escape from real life. To relate to what we're going through today is fine and dandy, but it's really about being transported and completely swept away by a romantic notion.

I was in the forest jumping around daffodils while everyone was high on heroin.

I think I've done a pretty fantastic job, but of course I want to sell millions of records.

If I had had more of a strategic attitude towards how to reveal my sexuality, and if I'd even played with it a little more, I could have sold a lot more albums and been a lot more famous.

I'm not a terrible smoker, actually. My major addiction, which is horrible, is straight boys.

I like to sing to Verdi, I like singing to Sibelius, and Mahler maybe.

I made the decision to take on board the critical feedback. Reviews are something you can easily ignore as a performer or writer but I chose to not ignore them here and I think that I benefited. I think I'm stronger for it - and I have a tougher skin as a result.