When I've seen my operas in Europe, they have always struck me as more American than when I hear them here. I can't tell you what that phenomenon is.

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.

Ya got to watch them bears, Lillie Girl, ” her father said, looking worried, “ ‘specially the renegade ones. They’ll turn you every way but loose.

An unread book does nobody any good

I'll be a president that will turn our inner cities around and will give strength to people and will give economics to people and will bring jobs back.

1947 America blasted off.

Shall we not go on in such great a cause?

The more you dream the more you achieve.

Many a calm river begins as a turbulent waterfall, yet none hurtles and foams all the way to the sea.

Timid dogs more eagerly bark than bite.

I've got to show life as I see it.

I love 'Homeland.' I think it's such a well-done, well-acted TV show.