Over the past 20 years, singers have shared their experiences—most often using their real names, but sometimes anonymously, or using pseudonyms—with other singers, first in the pages of TNYON and then CS. In this article an anonymous singer courageously shares how he ultimately pulled himself out of the dark days of addiction. In recent months, the issue of singers and substance abuse has been a hot topic in the news, showing that this article is as relevant now as when it originally appeared in December 2003.
Pregnancy often means morning sickness, weight gain, hormonal fluctuations, and a myriad of other physical changes. For a female singer, whose instrument is her body, singing during pregnancy can be a challenge. One singer shares her experiences with pregnancy, from the initial nervous excitement of learning she was pregnant to the hard, yet joyful realities of being both a singer and a new mother. Because of the very personal nature of this narrative, the author has chosen to remain anonymous. However, she may be reached by e-mailing editorial@classicalsinger.com.
In March 2005, CS did a whole issue on a once taboo term: menopause. This follow-up article tells the story of one singer’s struggle with early menopause. This singer didn’t experience the common side effects so often associated with this stage of life, but she did suffer vocally. Contrary to the advice of her voice teacher and medical doctor, however, she didn’t give up singing—and more than 10 years later her voice is still going strong.
This is the story of a 50-year-old soprano's encounter with the vocal change of life.
After his retirement, Franco Corelli took on a number of voice students. One of them was bass Ethan Herschenfeld, who began his vocal training with Corelli and had this to
Addiction. It’s a taboo topic, but substance abuse and addiction are lurking behind the curtain in the opera world, and as we see in this story, starting as early as high school. In one conservatory dorm in which the editor of CS spent a few nights, drugs were the norm, not the exception. And the problem doesn’t disappear after graduation. Some afflicted singers continue to self-medicate, instead of getting the help they need. Here is one singer’s candid tale. Share it with someone you care about.
One of our older survey respondents wrote in with a thought-provoking account of her experience attending a particularly problematic university. CS is including her story here with editorial comments interspersed. It is critical to choose your school well! The writer brings up many points singers need to take into account when looking into school.
A few letters received at the CS offices and CS forum posts.
Verdi: Il Trovatore Metropolitan Opera, New York City, December 7, 2000 After the Prima of the Met’s new production of Il Trovatore, the stage director Graham Vick and the lighting
For the trained soloist, singing in a choir or opera chorus may be artistically rewarding, or a way to pay the bills between solo engagements. How do you sing in a chorus and still make sure your solo voice stays intact?
Singing is a small business, and I have been in it a long time, know a lot of people, and have done my share of small things, and my name
A well-known teacher shares her struggles and triumphs with severe, hereditary depression, and how it has impacted her teaching.
