People may have thought that we changed a lot. I don't think we came in with that intention. Certain things I can't stomach. But I tried to be as collegial as possible. When you sign that contract, you're tied to that opera house to try your best. But every different team will play with a different intensity.

I enjoy all aspects of singing and I'm luckily given the choice to be part of different styles of music.

People think top singers are overpaid, but opera houses have a top fee, which is a good thing. Of course concerts are different- everyone wants to make as much money as possible.

I've been amazed by the numbers that have come out to see the torch relay, so being a part of it is lovely.

At first, when I got bad press and people would talk bad about my family or something like that, I would get really upset, but now it's just not worth my energy.

My mother wanted my sister and me to live a normal life. I always picked friends who weren't impressed with my family ties.

The best compliment that has ever been given to me was, I was at the airport one day and a guy came in and said, 'Lionel, my wife loves you, the kids love you, my mother-in-law loves you, the family loves you.'

Marystown, in Newfoundland, it's where began for me. It's where most of my family still lives and where a lot of my supporters are from.