Is it true that all good opera singers are fat? Is there an opera singer's diet?
Valeria Mela: For a beautiful deep voice, the inner strength and energy of the singer is important, not his weight. Of course, globally, vocal cords depend on general parameters of the body. But this connection has nothing to do with the amount of body fat. Of course, eating food helps to develop the power of the voice, but it should not be a fatty meal: you can concentrate on a healthy diet.
Oksana Shilova: I am of the opinion that it is very important for a singer to have protein in the diet, because muscle mass is important for a vocalist. But the diet is very individual, and each singer selects it taking into account the characteristics of his body. There is such a diet - CHF - it is based on low intake of carbohydrates and high intake of fat. I adhere to just such a diet, and for me it has already become a way of life. I eat a lot of vegetables, and I can't live without fruits, although they are very high in carbohydrates. But I eat sweets only on holidays.
Dmitry Ribero-Ferreira: The most important thing is that you just need to be a healthy person. Lead a healthy lifestyle, not be too afraid for your condition and take care of yourself, but at the same time take good care of your body. After all, vocal cords are only a small part of the entire vocal instrument, so the whole body must be healthy. Even a minor headache can affect your singing and sounding voice. If a musician's instrument is in his hands, then the instrument of an opera singer is inside him, it is himself, therefore the main thing is to be a healthy person.
Sometimes in movies, characters trying to sing drink raw eggs to get their voices to work. Does it really help?
Sergei Radchenko: This is rather a stereotype from the distant past, but, of course, they lubricate the mucous membrane well, soften the throat, contributing to beautiful and soft singing.
Is it true that opera singers are not allowed to eat seeds? What you really can't eat so as not to damage your voice?
Valeria Mela: Sunflower seeds can really be dangerous before a show, as well as all types of nuts and dried fruits. The fact is that these products, as well as mint (not everyone knows this) and pepper, cause increased acidity in the stomach. I am convinced that there are foods to avoid before singing. Typically, these include those that can provoke inflammation, as well as milk, cheese, alcohol, and especially mint.
Sergey Radchenko: There are foods that definitely do not help and even harm the voice, I try to avoid them in my diet. Basically, these are the same foods that are not recommended for heartburn: coffee, chocolate, dairy products, bread, spicy and fried foods, very sweet or very sour. It is better not to eat fruit and citrus fruits on the day of the concert.
Do opera singers eat ice cream?
Valeria Mela: Why don't singers eat ice cream? The only thing is not to eat it right before a performance: it can cause a kind of anesthetic effect on the vocal cords, which will be bad for singing.
Sergey Radchenko: Personally, I love ice cream. In general, the use of ice cream, like ice and other heavily chilled products, is more of a psychosomatic question. If you eat ice cream and enjoy, nothing bad will happen. Conversely, if you worry too much that you will catch a cold, then this can happen with a high probability. Many singers, including myself, drink water and cola with ice. This cools the mucous membrane, restores the voice, as the cold relieves the swelling of the ligaments.
Dmitry Ribero-Ferreira: Ice cream, like dairy products in general, is not recommended for opera singers, as it contains lactose. But in a cool form, milk helps relieve swelling from overstrain of the ligaments, gently enveloping the throat.
Oksana Shilova: To my great happiness, I just don't like ice cream. I drink ice water and I like cold drinks, with the exception of milk: I do not use dairy products.
Is there any kind of ritual before and after the performance?
Valeria Mela: There are no universal norms for singers regarding the time, quantity and ways of eating - everything is very individual. For example, I prefer not to eat at all before performances and only take sugar for athletes.
Sergei Radchenko: I don't have them. I just do the necessary things before singing - flush my tonsils, rinse my throat, breathe fresh air.
Photo: archives of press services
Related materials
- Amy Winehouse forever: why the whole world adores the style of the British singer
- Coffee, Sachertorte and Vienna Opera: the most attractive symbols of the Austrian capital
- Black, red, white: the most complete guide to caviar