The musical heritage of Yorkshire is deep and wide.

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.

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

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?

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.

What we have deeply loved we can never lose, it remains in our heart for ever.

You think that if you blame, you will then be free of those problems, but blame cements you to your problems.

I love Naples, Florida! Although, I’m so far behind everyone else there. After all, I’m still wearing my first face!

Let's get one thing straight: there's no such thing as the Bristol sound.

There is no pain equal to that which two lovers can inflict on one another.

You have a lifetime to learn technique. But I can teach you what is more important than technique, how to see; learn that and all you have to do afterwards is press the shutter.

Just like old librarians, old coins are often more valuable than they appear at face value.

Democratic Party is a party that's just out of touch with who the electorate is and who Americans are.

I assure you that there's a lot involved in compositions with figures. ... It's like weaving... you must control and keep an eye on several things at once.

I've always been a generous and a kind person and so on, but never, ever have I experienced that kind of love. The world just looked different to me and still does.