Danielle de Niese

My professional life shouldn't be an influence on whether I spend time at home. My career is my whole life's blood. It's my calling. ”

My Mozart career began as a teenager in Los Angeles, singing arias from 'Le Nozze di Figaro' and 'Don Giovanni.' ”

Mozart is my first strength. ”

I know there are lots of regional accents in England, but I can't tell them apart and I'm not really aware of class. I don't pay any attention to those boundaries. I'm a California girl. ”

I feel very fortunate. I feel like an Olympian. When I watch the Olympics, I cry because I have been through that journey. ”

I've always considered myself to be a travelling soul. I've never felt out of place anywhere. ”

What I see as specially English is the charm - everyone is so polite. Being restrained is part of the charm. And I love the sense of humour - it takes me back to Australia. The English are great at making fun of themselves. They're so self-effacing. ”

I love Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik. ”

We can all afford to do a little soul-searching about the choices we make and the way we live our lives, but sometimes searching one's soul doesn't provide the answers we seek. ”

Outreach appearances in the schools are usually part of my contracts, and I love doing them. ”