That was when I realised that music is the most profound, magical form of communication there is.

I performed in Sydney some years ago for the Sydney Festival and I am just so pleased to be returning to the wonderful Sydney Opera House and also performing in Melbourne for the first time.

I would just like to say that opera is no longer about fat people in breastplates shattering wine glasses.

I do hope that our spring will be starting shortly and we will all be able to enjoy some sunshine again.

Opera is credible drama now, and it costs less than going to a football match. What have you got to lose?

The musical heritage of Yorkshire is deep and wide.

To tell you the truth, I never listen to opera at home.

I'm engaging my diaphragm as I'm speaking to you right now.

There are a lot of unseen elements to having a successful singing career.

It worries me that young singers think you can shortcut the training and go straight to fame and fortune, and programmes like Pop Idol have encouraged that.

I do a lot of vocal hygiene.

Rain does not fall on one tree.

I do not know if all cops are poets, but I know that all cops carry guns with triggers.

It was true—but it was harsh. And it feels like maybe a harsh truth can be as hurtful as a lie.

the onus of Connecting rightly, Conceiving brightly, Conveying quietly, and Concluding wisely are the capatencies (capacity and competence) of man

Ah, Caderousse, ' said Andrea, 'how covetous you are! Two months ago you were dying with hunger.''The appetite grows by what it feeds on, ' said Caderousse.

Inside all people there is love, also the need to take care of the other man who is his brother. Inside everyone is a savage, but there is also happening tenderness and compassion.

You don't really measure the year until the whole year is done. I'm sure there are some concerned people, including the coaches right now.

People had been writing to me and saying, "Can you write something for children?" I felt I couldn't quite do it myself because I never had children.

Those who believe in our ability do more than stimulate us. They create for us an atmosphere in which it becomes easier to succeed.

The leaves let go, the seeds let go, and I must let go sometimes, too, and cast my lot with another of nature’s imperfect but tenacious survivors.