When I wrote the opera, I made a deal with myself that for at least an hour a day I would work on it, even if it meant just sitting on my piano bench, staring into space and thinking about it. It's about keeping it regular, like your bowel movements - let's get real: it's your bodily artistic movements! It comes from the same place.

Arguably, the relationship between Liza Minnelli and Judy Garland is one of the great mother-daughter sagas of all time. Certainly, for certain people, and a lot of them, Liza is the bigger star. Liza is the more kind of viable legend, shall we say. Then there's the other camp, where Judy is the one.

I may not lead the most dramatic life, but in my brain it's 'War and Peace' everyday.

'Prima Donna' is my kind of love song to opera but it's not the full experience.

I would love to have a number one hit. The truth is if I don't get one, I'll be fine, but at the same time, the truth is that I'm dying for one, as well.

I'm your knight in shining armor. I'm here to save you from Linkin Park.

I'm definitely a fan of juxtaposition. Using the most beautiful line to say the most horrific thing - I think one of the main things in songwriting is definitely friction between the words and the melody.

I think we could all be a bit more elitist.

Some people go to Berlin to get more cutting edge; I went and started wearing lederhosen and going to visit baroque palaces.

Let the little fairy in you fly!

Crazy as it sounds, I'm a believer in destiny and serendipity, and I have had cosmic experiences all my life. Something told me I was meant for greater stuff. And look, I've had a baby! And I've written an opera!

I am undefinable. I don't fit into any particular category.

I like to make the mundane fabulous whenever I can.

I've developed into quite a swan. I'm one of those people that will probably look better and better as I get older until I drop dead of beauty.

I believe a lot of our lives are spent asleep, and what I've been trying to do is hold on to those moments when a little spark cuts through the fog and nudges you.

Being uncool is being pretty much the coolest you can be.

There's no life without humour. It can make the wonderful moments of life truly glorious, and it can make tragic moments bearable.

My cheeks explode when I smile. That's why I have to look so nonplussed.

Life is a game and true love is a trophy.

When it comes to sitting down and composing, there is no hesitation, no concern, no critics breathing fire down my neck. For me, writing a song is the purest part of all. No one can mess with that.

As an artist, you put so much into what you do and it can all be torn down in a nanosecond.

I find so many songwriters today are missing an element... either the production is amazing but the songs aren't, or it's the other way around.

I have a good face for what I do.

The Germany I was enthused with was more old fashioned and kind of romantic. I just got there, and the next thing you know, I had this huge gilded album. It was kind of an amazing experience because I didn't intend it to be that way.