Anyone who creates something new or does something different artistically is going to be singled out.

It seems to me opera is just as relevant as an expressive art as anything else.

We think the Puritans always dressed in black and white, which they didn't. They loved very bright colors. And there were other differences in perceptions that gave one a very different view of them.

Our most intimate contact with civilizations long since dust has been through the art which has survived them.

I found a certain kind of music congenial to me; it never occurred to me to write music that was academically acceptable.

The story of Willie Stark fascinated me because it was tackling the story of a man who outwardly has all the success one could possibly want and who is destroyed by his personal demons.

Most of the important composers in our country are clustered in the Northeast.

If something is successful with the audience, it's automatically suspect; the reverse is to say that not to reach audiences is the greatest compliment an artist can receive!

There is something inherent in our democracy that tends to want to level. America is a little uncomfortable in the presence of someone who is distinctly superior in whatever way.

What is American music? The most satisfying answer I've come across is that it was a kind of natural comfort with the vernacular which is diverse and regional; it's not one particular set of sounds.

If an American audience is given a serious musical theater piece that is well produced, dramatically gripping and wonderfully acted, they'll respond to it.

We all do think of getting to the ultimate in life.The ultimate way to get to the ultimate is to take the ultimate way in life

If prayer fails I am in a greater darkness yet, not knowing whether I have presumed too much or believed too little.

Moral issues rarely have yes or no answers.-Myles to Alanna when she asks about the Gift

You're supposed to be using your gifts and fulfilling your dreams, at every age.

Take the feeling of hunger out of your gut, and you're no longer a champion

People should not pass judgment until they have seen the film.

The human brain must continue to frame the problems for the electronic machine to solve.

Once you let yourself grow close to someone, cutting the ties could be painful.

Moon is also a naive native girl when she sets out for Carbuncle.

The only option is politeness-remember always that you are dealing with other primates.