Lesley Garrett

I don't just come from a musical family, but from a musical community.

Music is there to access those dark emotional corners that we don't normally get too close to.

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.

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.