By SHIVANI VORA
Thelong-running joke about opera is that a performance is not over until the fat lady sings. But some up-and-coming singers are determined to keep that fat under control. Dr. Jenny Cho, one of several physicians who are on hand during Metropolitan Opera performances, said opera’s deep notes required core strength and a good cardiovascular system.
“Singing comes from the lower abdominal muscles, and without strong abs, it’s hard to do it well and control the breath,” Dr. Cho said. “You also need large lung volume to generate sound, which requires stamina.”
Opera today is not just about standing still and singing; there’s a theatrical element that can mean a lot of moving around the stage. Juggling singing and movement requires that much more endurance.
The preconception that opera singers are oversize exists because many stars, like Luciano Pavarotti, had more generous frames, said Fred Plotkin, an expert on opera and the author of the book “Opera 101.” But the fuller girths, which used to be acceptable, aren’t as welcome today, he said. “Going back 25 years, opera stars were expected to be wonderful singers,” Mr. Plotkin said, “but the expectations have changed, and opera management thinks that having a thinner physique is more sellable.”
These five rising stars, all performing at the Met and other major opera houses, effectively put an end to the fat lady stereotype and, with their diverse exercise routines, might even inspire others to start moving.
