Dying of Consumption for Beginners; A Guide to Singer Health and Wellness.
Dying of Consumption for Beginners; A Guide to Singer Health and Wellness.
It feels almost cruel when composers choose consumption as the cause of death — especially when you spend the entire rehearsal period killing yourself to stay healthy...
Nothing turns the hysteria up in a rehearsal hall more than someone saying "I'm not feeling well." For singers and directors, I would say it's the equivalent of saying 'bomb' on a plane. Sure, Covid may have elevated the anxiety, but singers’ sickness anxiety has probably been around since the beginning of solfege! I, like almost every singer I know, have experienced great anxiety over my health.
I couldn't tell you how many times I became OBSESSED with a tiny tickle, a sniffle, a cough, or just basic fatigue. Many singers know the little voice-checking puppy whimper that all good voice teachers show you to check how well the cords are coming together... and every time I do it, my partner sighs and gives me a reassuring "you're not losing your voice!"
Sickness Anxiety
It's not nearly as bad as it used to be, but sickness anxiety has ruined many shows and just general life experiences for me. When I sang Queen of the Night with Opera York in 2023, the stress of getting sick sucked the joy out of the performance and rehearsal period. The production got great reviews and I didn't even get to really enjoy my success in the moment. I was so relieved when the production finished, and with all that stress, I didn't even get sick! I have kept my distance from my nieces and nephews (which I will call niephews). I have skipped social events like birthdays and get-togethers, all because of the possibility of catching something. Sure, everyone gets sick, but for singers it can cost so much more than just one gig. You can easily get labeled as careless with your health and a risk to productions, or cancelling a gig could deem you 'unreliable' if you're in the early stages of your career.
Magic Flute at Richmond Hill Centre. Opera York. 2023.
The industry is changing and more persons in hiring positions understand the potential frailty of the immune system, but show-business—which really should be renamed business-show—cannot afford regular financial losses of having to hire a singer to jump in and learn the staging... and that's if the singer already knows the score... the added stress of score cramming... yikes!
Mental Health and Unwellness
Many singers try to be proactive with a healthy diet, vitamin regimens, exercise, and safeguarding mental health. Last year a singer I know shared their mental health struggles with me. They shared how they had to turn down an opportunity because they were suffering emotionally. This singer gave me the courage to speak out about my own mental health and the pressures of always saying 'yes.' I had a very busy month last year where I would cry on the way to and from rehearsal because I just didn't feel good enough or prepared enough. I was talking to a friend about how the stress was killing my soul. Then they said something simple, but what I needed to hear.
"Your family, friends, and colleagues love you, and if you need to lessen your workload people will understand."
This sounds almost cliché, but it was what I needed. I came to the realization that my art, which I have dedicated my entire life to so far, can't thrive in this kind of environment. That having no joy within its creation or performance is where it dies. I love this artform too much to allow that to happen.
So I cancelled three gigs. I called and explained what was happening to me. Sure enough, they all understood. I invite my colleagues to be open with each other. We are all unique artists with different upbringings and career paths, but ultimately we are all in the same boat when it comes to the mental health pressures of the industry. I am grateful to the singer who shared their struggles with me because I don't know what I would have done if they didn't. If you are struggling, re-read the bolded text above.
Singer 'Secrets', 'Remedies' and Crystals
I have a few things I do during a production season that help me stay in tip-top shape. Besides going to the gym (which I will discuss in the next section) I take Emergen-C. It is a packet of 1000mg of vitamin C that you mix with water. I know many singers who take it. You can get a value pack at Costco, where it is the best value. I also make sure to drink lots of water, and have a lot of veggies, protein, and chocolate for some joy. SLEEP IS ESSENTIAL! Carrying a sleep debt is bad for any career. Also, a salt water gargle is great, especially before bed.
Many singers try remedies like oil of oregano, which tastes like if a pizza punched you in the face. Many swear by it, but the scientific research on it is limited and suggests it's not that effective. To be fair, that's the case for vitamin C as well. Then many singers take a lot of additional vitamins like vitamin D, B12, E, and Zinc.
I used to make this very improvised tea when I would feel a cold coming in when I was in university. I would boil an orange, a grapefruit and its peel, then I would add oil of oregano, a bunch of vitamin capsules and pills, and Cold-FX. That muddy, boiling swamp water that I would drink (piping hot to show my body who's boss) was my secret potion. Once, my sister was coming down with a cold during exams and asked me to make it for her. She never said it tasted bad, but she insisted that it gave her intense nightmares that night. However, she did wake up feeling a lot better.
I realize now a lot of these 'secrets' and 'remedies' are likely just effective because of the placebo effect... I am happy to continue to believe my regimen works!
Nothing here on crystals, but some of my colleagues find them useful.
The Singing Body and Its Stigma
It's no secret. Singers—and I will only speak to the world of opera singers—have a pretty crazy lifestyle in the pursuit of musical excellence and career demands. At the minimum, you have to have a bachelor's degree in Music, then most go on to master's studies, then young artist programs... and that's just the start of your career as a singer. Another aspect you have to be conscious of is physical fitness. Sure, you don't need to be a bodybuilder, but you do have to be fit enough to waltz/do some choreography and sing an entire opera. Forget the dancing! You have to be able to run on stage while singing, or do other stage business like moving around set pieces or lift other actors. The list can go on, but ultimately you have to be able to move well, and hopefully with grace. Of course, if the music is especially hard, directors will give you more workable staging, but some critics will claim you are a stiff actor. (Let's see them do it, right? Hahaha.) Many forget about the beauty of text delivery or the power of just emoting...
I find this to be even less forgiving for my musical theatre friends, but I am not in their trenches/their world so I don't really find it appropriate for me to comment.
So what do I do?
I work out three times a week, and sometimes try to do four. I focus on weightlifting, core/pelvic floor strengthening, cardio, and I always stretch. I used to do more yoga but it's too expensive; I just do some basic yoga at the end of my workouts, and sometimes a major stretch before bed. I also like walking with the dogs. It's a shared responsibility within the household so I usually walk them twice a week.
Though the climate is changing, the singer’s body can be a touchy subject. The singer’s body can have a lot to do with how our voices sound. I won't go into how at this time, but features such as facial structure, neck size, etc., have been much discussed in regard to the timbre of a singer's voice. There has been limited research, and limited definitive effects. We are all unique and body diversity on stage is important. Every BODY has a right to be on stage. However, body shaming is still an issue many performers face. I have heard stories and have unfortunately witnessed people in power commenting to or about my fellow colleagues' bodies. One tenor I know was very stressed about auditioning for a certain stylized opera company... starving or drastically limiting his diet a week before the audition was recommended to him. I consider this person in good shape! The company that shall not be named is very old school in its singer body ideal. I have never bothered to audition since I can find self-image issues without their help.
To finish off...
This week I had so much fun singing some G&S in Brantford. I loved working with colleagues old and new. It was 'hot as heck' out, but luckily the church had AC. Sunday I sang some Mozart to a mildly sweaty and receptive congregation. Currently I am working on Act 4 of La Bohème and preparing my audition arias for Sydney. Think of me on the 28th!
I want to share the delicious food I had so far today. I love to cook and would love to spread the joy it brought me!
Breakfast
Coffee (OF COURSE!)
Spinach, banana, strawberry, and yogurt smoothie. It makes a beautiful green shade! Too bad I didn’t take a picture.
After I went to the gym, I had an amazing roasted veggie hash and two eggs.
In the air fryer for 20 mins:
Potato, carrot, onion, broccoli with salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili flakes, and olive oil.
To finish off, I fried two eggs and added some crushed avocado with hot sauce! SO GOOD!
I’ll probably have fish tacos for dinner. Still deciding!
Anyway, thanks for reading! Please follow and comment! Let me know what you'd like to read about!
Sydney Opera House! (2022)
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