Quote

I was an acting opera singer, and that's one of the reasons I left opera.

I had this exceptional classical music voice. If I'd followed a true path for my talent, I would have ended up being an opera singer.

I was attracted to opera when I was 15 or 16. A very rich man in England bankrupted himself to put on a lot of opera during the war, but he converted a lot of people, myself included, in the process.

Above all, I am an opera singer. This is how people will remember me.

My parents were opera singers and voice teachers, so growing up, I admired musicians and dancers.

I originally wanted to be an opera singer. I studied classical voice at the University of Washington but soon realised I didn't have the instrument or the discipline. The road for opera singers is more difficult than for actors.

I became a set designer for opera. I'm a great opera buff, I love classical music, and I needed a time-out.

I wanted the focus to be on my ability as a singer and as an entertainer - not on my private life.

I always wanted to perform in some capacity since I was a kid - I was a ballerina, then a singer before acting.