I was surprised to learn that Gluck spent some months in Prague at the time when we know operas by Vivaldi were being performed there.

When you are accompanied by the instrument-on an instrument like the lute-the lute and voice-you have this sound, and you feel how the music can be so touching and yet so simple.

When I suggested a Vivaldi disc [in the late 90s], it was difficult to convince them to do it. But it was enormously successful and I proved that there was an audience ready to discover it. I like to present a project which has both a commercial and a cultural element. I try to combine them.

I did a concert... in September with the Berlin Philharmonic... They're great musicians, and there's always something to learn from them.

I like jazz of course, but jazz is almost classic. I like some Italian pop music. When I was a teenager I was a big fan of Flamenco music since I was studying Flamenco. But I was also listening to Madonna and Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson was my idol. I still believe he was one of the greatest pop stars.

The first time I sang with David Daniels... I had never performed with a countertenor before. That first time was magic, it was so beautiful. And he's such a great artist.