The cuts are such that, if they go through, one of the most prestigious festivals in the world would have to drop the world 'international' from the title next year. We wouldn't be able to invite any stars.

If Parliament votes the cuts, it will be a message that they think La Scala isn't important, that film isn't important.

My heyday is over, and another must take my place. The world wants something new. Others have ceded their places to us and we must cede ours to still others... I am more than happy to give mine to people of talent like Verdi.

He's very astute, knows what's going on. Sometimes I just want to say, ?Go get in there,' but I can't. And he feels the same way. It's frustrating.

I'm hoping to get us refocused and back on the same page. Can we stick around? I think so. We play in the SCC conference, and that gets us ready.

They're a good team; we're a good team. Tonight they got the better of us. We gave it what we had and tonight it wasn't good enough.