English translation is below ⇩

From an Interview in November 2003 by Yuiko Ishitoya

In 2003, he interviewed when he made a debut in Japan in earnest.

Q: How do you like to sing Onegin and Andrei("War and Peace")?

D: Onegin has a bit of colder side, I like to express that part.  Andrey is a complexed character and the music itself is also complicated, so it is difficult to portray the role among many other characters.  It is the very challenging role.

Q: You do not sing Don Giovanni anymore?  Why?

D: Because my voice is lyric.   This role is written for lower scale, thus singing Giovanni pressured my throat.  Last time I sang the role at MET, it was hard to sing and I was suffered.   It was like a night mare to feel fear on the stage.  It is one of my most successful role, but I do not want to sing it for a while.   Leporero is lighter, and the score is better for me as well.  I think it's more fun to sing Leporero.

I also love witty roles, such as Figaro of "Il Barbiere di Siviglia".  And also villains. I am supposed to sing Iago soon, and such roles are interesting.   Depend on my range of expression, this character can be expanded more.  If I can convince his complex with the audiences, I will even flip the original story.

Q: Do you have any musicians you admire?

D: Bastianini and Gergiev.  Bastianini has a great sound.  He is my idol since I was 19 years old.  Gergiev is a conductor who possess something like magical power.  If one collaborates with him, he/she will get inspired, he/she will want to work deeper, then a magical moment will be embodied.  I also felt the same feeling when I work with Seiji Ozawa.

Q:  You are quite enthusiastic about "Rigoletto" recently.

D: After having my own children, I come to understand this role even more.  Life experience is important.  And the music is teaching me a life.  So I think I am so lucky.  

Now I am planning to balance my operas and recitals performances in half and half.  As I was born on October 16th Libra, I do not like conflicting others, I dislike fighting.  I like to keep balance in myself staying to be peaceful.