From the spiritual came the blues, gospel, and rhythm-and-blues. I heard all of that music growing up, and that has influenced how I approached classical music. I'm sure of it.

Some of the music I listen to is pop. I sing it in the shower - and then for public consumption.

I sing what I sing. And that's recitals and orchestra concerts. To appease - no, that's not the right word - let's say to satisfy - any opera urgings that my public has, I'll put in an aria.

New York is a great place to be fed in the arts. The arts in general are a large part of my life. The city was my postgraduate course.