For Anne Sofie von Otter, it is the joy of music and her own singing that weighs heaviest. She has appeared on most major stages around the world, played the biggest roles and appeared on over ninety records. She is an opera singer, but sees herself primarily as a musician.

- All my creativity is ticking off because of the music. It is I who above all enjoy the fact that I sing. Many people like to listen, but the one who thinks it is the most fun is myself, says Anne Sofie von Otter.

Did not always enjoy the lead roles

But despite great successes and prestigious roles, it was not really the dream life that is easy to imagine, says Anne Sofie von Otter in SVT's Mästarna.

- It was fun to have reached a very high and nice position, that people knew who I was and that I was offered fun roles with fantastic orchestras and conductors. But carrying the lead roles on my sloping shoulders was not something I really enjoyed, she says.

- If the conductor, the orchestra and you are on the same wavelength, that's when it's wonderful. That is not always the case and I could get annoyed at that and fight against it.

"I know this damn well"

As a young woman, Anne Sofie von Otter was quite shy. At the same time, she has always had - and has - a strong belief in her own ability when it comes to music:

- I have a built-in very high self-confidence when it comes to music and my ability to shape, express music. I'm not saying that I have it as a human being, certainly not, but as a musician I felt early on "this, I know that damn well".

Watch the entire episode of The Master with Anne Sofie von Otter here.