If I had time to myself. . . I would read a lot more books and paint oil on canvas (which I do too rarely since I had my children) and write music at the piano (which I do only when everyone is asleep).

You wouldn't know it but I am very good at. . . playing soccer and tennis.

You may not know it but I am very bad at. . . being patient with assholes.

A book that changed me. . . Sartre, Camu, the existentialists I was 15 when the structured world I grew up in raptured through the explosive and radical words of the existentialists. I found my own values, started taking responsibilities for thoughts, judgement and refused to evaluate people and things like my parents and the people around me.

Movie Heaven. . . The Godfather Trilogy, Babel, Million Dollar Baby, Terms of Endearment,. So many. . .

When I was a child I wanted to bef a dancer or an ice scater. I also though of becoming a teacher.

All my money goes on. . . the education and support of my three children. I am not a materialistic person.

I buy nice dresses only for stage appearances. I do not care about labels, designers, the world of fashion and style. . . I will be always first comfortable and classy, simple and understated, then stylish.

At night I dream off resting. My two-year-old is still a bad sleeper. And romantic nights out with my man are also rather rare with the three kids and all the work f but all is good the way it is. Chapters have different colours and dynamics. It is all good and after all I had it all. I am grateful for my life full of energy, love, laughter, music, passion and little time to rest. I rest when I am dead.

My biggest regret. . . giving all the power and my freedom to an idiot manager many years ago. Never again. I take care of my own business with a network of international agents who are loyal longtime friends.

The soundtrack to my life. . . Shirley Horne (Here is to Life) and Sarah Vaughn's records. As a teenager I loved The Dark Side Of The Moon from Pink Floyd.

If I wasn't me I'd like to be. . . a doctor, a nurse or a school teacher. I like the contact with people.

It's not fashionable but I like. . . my man's big old Tshirts and his boxers.

The best invention ever. . . Email. It makes communication so much easier. No hour-long phone calls.

Bridges time difference. Makes necessary exchange short and brief. Love it.

Ute Lemper plays the NCH tomorrow