Many thanks to Kym Taborn for the following transcript.

Copyright 1998 Times Publishing Company   
St. Petersburg Times
April 11, 1998, Saturday, 0 South Pinellas Edition

: FLORIDIAN; HOME & GARDEN; TELEVISION Q&A; Pg. 13D  
: 213 words  
: TELEVISION Q&A  
: Times wires  


   Question: I read in this newspaper that the actor who plays Xena is an
opera  singer. Really? Claire D.  

   Answer: Really.  

 Lucy Lawless, who plays the amazin' amazon, studied voice  (she recently
appeared in the Broadway production of Grease) and once  considered a
career in grand opera. But she says she was distracted by other  offers to
appear in films and on television. "When you decide to become an  opera
singer," says Lawless, "it's a commitment that allows nothing else to 
interfere. Even your family - and I have a young daughter - has to take
second  place."  

[snip]