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As many times as I have done 'Marriage of Figaro,' I have never been able to ask Mozart what he intended in this piece.

Well, the very best operas are the ones written by the very best composers.

I've always loved opera; it never occurred to me that I would write a proper libretto.

Mozart has written opera, symphony, sacred and chamber music - not to mention his piano and violin concerti.

I love gentle, gorgeous classical music such as Mozart.

To me, Mozart is our Shakespeare, the one who wrote the most dramatic, psychologically most baffling music. He combined ideas that no one else would have thought of putting together.

When you hear Bach or Mozart, you hear perfection. Remember that Bach, Mozart and Beethoven were great improvisers. I can hear that in their music.

Opera is the original marriage of words and music, and there's a theatre element, a dramatic element. It's right up my alley.

Opera is one of the most important art forms. It should be listened to and appreciated by everyone.

Mozart had a tremendously fertile and creative ear for a catchy tune.