I also have to support my speaking voice by sitting in a way that engages the diaphragm in the way I would for singing.

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?

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.

Invest maximum amount of time into refining your gift and become best at what you were called to do and you will be surprised how easily and quickly you will rise to the top.

No one ever swung too slowly.

Working by heart means using your feelings and emotions to lead you to your spiritual sense of existence.

The thing I always tell my audiences all the time is that I'm just two steps ahead of you on a good day. And I might be two steps behind you on a bad day.

Even at 10 or 12, I was a hot, fast little cheerleader.

Never run from one such as me, female. You will no’ get away - and we like it.

Economy is a great revenue. [Lat., Magnum vectigal est parsimonia.]

You're all just pissing in the wind. You don't know it, but you are.

Taste classifies, and it classifies the classifier