Author of quotes: Alexander Porfirevich Borodin

A purely recitative style was not to my liking and not to my character. I am drawn to singing, cantilena, and not to recitative, although, according to reviews from knowledgeable people, I am quite good at the latter. In addition, I am drawn to forms that are more complete, more round, wider... In my opinion, in opera, as in scenery, small forms, details, trifles should not have a place; everything should be written in large strokes, clear, bright and, if possible, practical in performance, both voice and orchestral. The voices should be in the foreground, the orchestra in the background.