“I really do believe I can accomplish a great deal with a big grin, I know some people find that disconcerting, but that doesn’t matter.”

As soon as I arrive at the house, Laurie starts running, hits my chest, knocks me down, and licks my face. It’s become a family ritual.

Why let one high C ruin your whole evening?

Opera is music AND drama. I’m prepared to sacrifice the beautiful note for the meaningful sound any time…

I can’t be happy every day but I can be cheerful.

There are an awful lot of skinny people in the cemetery.

The last major childhood disease remains and it’s the worst of them all: nuclear war.

In youth we run into difficulties. In old age difficulties run into us.

I know that anybody who does all this and doesn’t have to, everything thinks she’s very driven. The truth is, I enjoy it all so! Can’t it be that simple?

When you’re in love, the whole world is Jewish.

There is no short cut to a place worth going.

I can make a pretty tone as well as anyone, but there are times when the drama of a scene demands the opposite of a pretty sound.

Art is the signature of civilizations.

I’ve always tried to be cheerful, because I think people who whine are boring, and I never could tolerate bores.

I never share credit or desserts.

There is something in me-I just can’t stand to admit defeat.

My voice had a long, nonstop career. It deserves to be put to bed with quiet and dignity, not yanked out every once in a while to see if it can still do what it used to do. It can’t.