Music is the only language in which you cannot say a mean or sarcastic thing.

That which is called firmness in a king is called obstinacy in a donkey.

Music is the only language in which you cannot say a mean or sarcastic thing

My passion for opera-the eternal truth of drama through music-has grown, while my interest in performance has diminished. Which is perhaps as good a reason as any other to go quietly.

There's music in the sighing of a reed; There's music in the gushing of a rill; There's music in all things, if men had ears: Their earth is but an echo of the spheres.

Music arose with its voluptuous swell, Soft eyes look'd love to eyes which spake again, And all went merry as a marriage bell.