The 5-Minute Interview: Felicity Lott, Singer

'I'd love to have been a gardener'

The soprano Dame Felicity Lott, 59, is performing with the BBC Philharmonic at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester today.

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

I should say I'd be sitting on a golden sofa but I would actually be calculating my VAT. I also need to learn the programme for the recital at the Wigmore Hall in December. Learning my words is a constant struggle.

I wish people would take more notice of...

The beautiful world we are spoiling. When we've been told the amount of power TVs and DVDs use when they are on standby we should take heed and turn it off. Everyone wants everything instantly. We are all in such a hurry.

The most surprising thing that happened to me was...

Finding myself in a career that lasts so long, to have met such lovely people, to have travelled to such exciting places and still to be doing it. I started off doing a French degree and wanted to be an interpreter. Now I get to sing in French all the time.

I'm good at...

Being non-confrontational. I'm not good at arguments. My husband would kill himself laughing if he heard me say that.

In moments of weakness I...

Eat Mendiants - chocolates with nuts and raisins on top. Glass of champagne's good too.

You know me as a singer but in truer life I'd have been...

A gardener ideally. I've waitressed a bit in the past. I would like to have worked with handicapped children.

The best age to be is...

The one I am now. I used to be terribly shy and awkward but you get to certain age and it doesn't matter so much.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

Take life very seriously but treat it lightly and people kindly.

Sara Newman