Lesley Garrett Quotes

Powerful Lesley Garrett for Daily Growth

About Lesley Garrett

Lesley Garrett CBE is a renowned British soprano, television presenter, and author, known for her versatile career spanning over four decades in the world of classical music. Born on August 16, 1958, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Garrett's passion for music was ignited at an early age when she learned to play the piano. Her mother, a singer, and her father, a professional musician, provided a nurturing environment that fostered her musical talent. After studying music at the University of Durham, Garrett pursued postgraduate studies at the Royal College of Music in London. Her breakthrough came in 1983 when she won the Kathleen Ferrier Award, which launched her professional career. During the following years, she performed with numerous prestigious orchestras and opera companies, including English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, and Glyndebourne Festival Opera. In addition to her operatic successes, Garrett is also recognized for her work in television broadcasting. She has presented various programs on BBC Radio 3 and the BBC, making classical music accessible to a wider audience. In recognition of her services to music, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2018. As an author, Garrett penned "The Soprano's Secret: A Life in Music," released in 2017. This memoir offers an insightful look into her life and career while providing a unique perspective on the world of opera and the challenges faced by female artists. Through her music, television work, and writing, Lesley Garrett continues to inspire and captivate audiences across the globe.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Music is like dreaming aloud."

Lesley Garret's quote "Music is like dreaming aloud" implies that music serves as a medium for people to express their inner thoughts, emotions, and ideas in a way that resembles dreaming but is audible to others. It suggests that just as we can dream vividly while asleep, we can create and share musical dreams that stimulate our imaginations and connect with others on an emotional level. This quote encapsulates the power of music to transcend language barriers and speak directly to the soul.


"I believe that music can bring people together in a way little else can."

Lesley Garret's quote underscores the unique power of music to transcend boundaries and foster unity among diverse individuals. Music, as a universal language, allows us to connect deeply with others regardless of cultural, social, or linguistic differences. This connection fosters empathy, understanding, and ultimately, brings people together in ways that few other mediums can achieve.


"I've always said that opera is life under the microscope."

Lesley Garrett suggests that opera, through its magnification and dramatization of life's most profound moments, provides a detailed and intense examination of human existence – much like a microscope intensifies our view of minute details in biological specimens. Opera, therefore, offers a highly exaggerated yet insightful perspective on life, allowing us to explore deep emotions, complex relationships, and fundamental aspects of the human condition.


"Singing is not just an occupation for me, it's a passion."

Lesley Garrett's quote emphasizes that singing isn't merely a job or profession for her, but rather a deep-seated emotion, a burning passion. This suggests that she finds immense joy, fulfillment, and personal connection in music, making it an essential part of her life, not just an occupation. It implies a profound dedication and love towards singing, going beyond the mere technical aspects, into the realm of emotional expression and artistic exploration.


"If you can sing and move at the same time, you're a dancer; if you can only do one of the two, then you're an opera singer."

This quote emphasizes that being proficient in both singing and dancing defines one as a dancer, while possessing only one skill (either singing or dancing) qualifies them as either an opera singer or a performer, respectively. It underscores the multidimensional nature of dance and its fusion with music, particularly in opera.


Music is there to access those dark emotional corners that we don't normally get too close to.

- Lesley Garrett

Music, Access, Corners, Normally

Nobody inspired me more than Julie Andrews, who is a classically trained soprano herself.

- Lesley Garrett

More, Inspired, Trained, None

I would just like to say that opera is no longer about fat people in breastplates shattering wine glasses.

- Lesley Garrett

Opera, Like, About, Wine

It worries me that young singers think you can shortcut the training and go straight to fame and fortune, and programmes like Pop Idol have encouraged that.

- Lesley Garrett

Think, Fortune, Singers, Shortcut

As far as I was concerned the important thing was that the music was getting the attention as well as me so it was always a great way to get more of the public to connect with classical music, and opera particularly.

- Lesley Garrett

Opera, Concerned, Great Way, Classical Music

One of the problems that we face through the media attention that these artists receive is that there has been an awful lot of talk about opera and classical music being elite and being for an elitist group.

- Lesley Garrett

Through, Been, Receive, Classical Music

I wouldn't want to criticise someone like Charlotte Church because she has done fantastically well, but personally I've always cared about the long term.

- Lesley Garrett

Want, Always, Like, Charlotte

I do hope that our spring will be starting shortly and we will all be able to enjoy some sunshine again.

- Lesley Garrett

Sunshine, Will, Some, Starting

I performed in Sydney some years ago for the Sydney Festival and I am just so pleased to be returning to the wonderful Sydney Opera House and also performing in Melbourne for the first time.

- Lesley Garrett

Opera, Some, Opera House, Sydney

I do a lot of vocal hygiene.

- Lesley Garrett

Vocal, Lot, Hygiene

Singing is an arduous business and it needs sacrifices.

- Lesley Garrett

Singing, Needs, Sacrifices, Arduous

I'm very pro presenting the best music I can to the widest audience possible.

- Lesley Garrett

Music, Audience, Very, Widest

What people really should be able to be confident in is that the standards of music- making that classically trained musicians present is elite, it is the best and all of us as artists should be committed to that.

- Lesley Garrett

Making, Committed, Trained, Elite

There are a lot of unseen elements to having a successful singing career.

- Lesley Garrett

Career, Lot, Having, Elements

The musical heritage of Yorkshire is deep and wide.

- Lesley Garrett

Deep, Musical, Wide, Heritage

Opera is credible drama now, and it costs less than going to a football match. What have you got to lose?

- Lesley Garrett

Opera, Going, Costs, Football Match

That was when I realised that music is the most profound, magical form of communication there is.

- Lesley Garrett

Music, Profound, Most, Magical

I'm engaging my diaphragm as I'm speaking to you right now.

- Lesley Garrett

Right, Now, Speaking, Engaging

And woven into the fabric of this harsh existence was music.

- Lesley Garrett

Music, Existence, Fabric, Woven

To tell you the truth, I never listen to opera at home.

- Lesley Garrett

Truth, Never, Tell, Opera

I saw The Sound of Music when I was 10 and thought that it was the most beautiful singing I had ever heard.

- Lesley Garrett

Singing, Thought, Sound, Sound Of Music

I don't think I have ever met a single person who isn't moved by music of some kind.

- Lesley Garrett

Think, Kind, Some, Single Person

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