I gave my all.

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

For three years, the ‘Meistersinger’ score was a ball and chain to me. It went with me to every city and concert hall.

For the mountains shall depart.

I started singing because I come from Wales.

Welsh is my mother tongue, and my children speak it. If you come and live in this community you’ll work out pretty quickly that it’s beneficial to learn the language, because if you’re going to the pub or a cafe you need to be a part of the local life.

When I watch the Olympics I become such an emotional wreck. I’ve always loved the Olympics, be it the summer or the winter Olympics.

A good pupil-teacher relationship has to be built up over time. I can't see the value of someone coming into the room for a few minutes and saying, "Look, you're doing this wrong.

For the last ten years my only teacher has been Rudolf Pierne. He is a superb pianist, conductor, linguist and a great singing teacher. He knows my voice and has looked after its development.

By the second day after that performance, I couldn't walk -- I couldn't even get to my front door.