I have always felt that art, especially music, is but a demonstration of God.
A Schubert song, the A-major chord at the opening of Wagner's 'Lohengrin' - such incredible beauty is a mystery, the divinity of music.
I have the feeling that everybody was waiting for me to die so they could rediscover me. Then they found out I'm not dead yet, so they are rediscovering me while I'm still alive.
As a little boy of 3 or 4, I became lame. Something was wrong with my right leg. There are pictures of me being pulled around in a little wagon. The doctors didn't know what to do. So my nanny took me to the miraculous Madonna at Sacro Monte in Varese, the priest blessed me, and I walked.
At the premieres, I always watch the audience. If a child asks to go to the bathroom, I know I've failed.
Fate has blessed me.
I rebelled against the idea of the artist being what I call the 'after-dinner mint' of society. I didn't want them to be just the entertainers, but rather part of the community - the bread, not only the dessert.
It was my contention that opera can not only pay for itself if it is well given, but it can also command a much wider audience if given like a play with lots of rehearsals and wonderful singers that fit the role.
Now, all of a sudden, every college and every university has an opera theater. Every little city has its little group.
My advice to composers is, 'Try to reach 90, and everyone will love you.'
I have a heart problem, so I have to simplify my life and be content with memories and friends and music.
The Greeks said the artist doesn't actually have to travel and look around. You stay where God has put you, and you dig as deep as you can. This is what I've done.
I guess I am running the risk of becoming the Hans Christian Andersen of opera.
I'm not very sympathetic to the tendency to bring art to the people.
It's always what you did before. The year before is always so much better. Even when the critics hated what you did then, it always looks better five years later.
The creation of Spoleto was a social experiment. Because I've always suffered guilt from being a Catholic, when I was in my fifties I felt a need of being needed.
