Quite a jet-setting lifestyle, and a fun one, too.

“But I have to admit,“ she says, “the travel part is a bit of a downer. When you look at it from a more pratical perspective, you are basically living away from your home for 10 or 11 months of the year and living with the same clothes that you packed two months ago. Yes, it is glamorous, and I get to see really exciting places and meet interesting people, but it makes having relationships difficult and makes keeping relationships with your family very difficult — it's kind of a mixed bag.”

Voigt has a condominium in Vero Beach, Florida, but spends more time in her apartment in Manhattan. “I try tell myself that my home is wherever I am with my dog, a little Yorkshire terrier named Steinway. He's been to Europe many, many times; he's been in the diva's dressing room in all the major opera houses of the world. He's very cute and very good company.”

Looking ahead, Voigt's plans include singing Brünhilde, the leading soprano in Wagner's four-opera epic “Der Ring des Nibelungen,” or “The Ring Cycle.” It is a part she's been working up to, career-wise, vocally and mentally.

“I'll probably start singing her in 2009. I'm sort of looking forward to it and daunted by it at the same time. I'm not sure if I should be excited or running for the hills!”   continue »