My mother had a beautiful voice and whenever she did any housework she sang. As it’s common in Italy, I always assumed that every woman in the world sings as she did housework. When I tried, no one wanted to hear because my voice is not like my mother’s.

Carla Zampatti, My MusicCarla Zampatti

Growing up, I wanted to play the piano – and I think I learned how to play God Save the Queen at some point – but I never did learn, which is a great shame. Growing up in Italy, I was surrounded by music. Every Sunday we used to go to Mass where the local priest had a beautiful voice and would sing in Latin. It was really, really special. As well as that, when the garbage men come in the morning, you can hear them singing arias. Opera is just a part of life in Italy. And life in Italy is a bit operatic anyway.

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