That's never been Valente's style. Her emotions have always been contained within a small, discreet frame, most suitable for the Mozartean heroines she sang from 1973 to 1995 at the Metropolitan Opera and the German art songs that formed the cornerstone of a distinguished recording and concert career. Talking about leaving it all required some persuasion. Valente's voice hasn't aged much, either. This is the 41st year of my so-called professional career, and it's very strenuous.
Nobody is luckier.
I've always tried to be with colleagues who are uplifting. I've always sworn that people who sing Mozart are friendlier than those who sing Wagner. I remember walking backstage to congratulate James King, who was a friend even before he was a tenor. He was doing Wagner, I was doing Mozart. I wanted to kill him.