I was thrilled to be able to direct a full opera by my beloved Bellini, whose music I used in MEDEA (1993). I am very proud of the way I conceived and understood the piece, but not at all proud of the way it was executed and brought to the stage. At times I wish I could produce exactly the same concept again. I feel that the 1980s American soap-opera metaphor was extremely appropriate, and emotionally effective for this opera. Suddenly, all the romance (not to mention the villagers' irrational fear of the phantom) seemed believable again in this context. I should have been more daring, and the way the opera establishment functions should, of course, be different - we should have been allowed more time to work and rehearse. I was thrilled to meet the soprano Elena Kelessidi. I fell in love with her.