Lea Ann wrote: And think
> about Eaglan!
I have seen Ms. Jane Eaglen three times in live
performance and have been astounded with her talent
each time. However, when she performed Brunnhilde in
Die Walkuere, her physical presence was a distraction.
Brunnhilde needed to walk down a piece of scenery
which was sloped -- I held my breath for a few seconds
fearing that she would topple! My companion that
evening spoke of the very same reaction. I was
totally taken out of the opera in this way a few
times.
Plump like Bartoli is absolutely acceptable to me on
any stage or screen, but obese (and unsteady) is
distracting and even frightening. I will look forward
to seeing Ms. Eaglen when I can -- fat or not -- but I
would really be happy if she would start paying
attention to her body in addition to her singing.
-Jen
--- Lea Ann <LeaAnn@k...> wrote:
> So, let's say I'm interested in becoming a high
> profile artist. Should I
> spend lots of time and money on my image? I've
> already got a good start,
> thanks to our good Maker, so should I capitalize on
> that and try to break
> through with my looks? Or should I scorn that
> philosophy and strive solely
> to be the best singer possible? Would impresarios
> and directors look down
> upon me if I come across as a screen siren?
>
> Just wanting to hear some opinions....
> Lauren
>
>
> Well, concerning opera especially (pop music has
> been this way since the advent of videos) we must
> consider that opera is still subject to the same
> crazed standards that the rest of the world faces,
> everyone wants to be really thin and gorgeous. This
> might be cheesy but there were so many behind the
> scenes images and quotes in it... in the book "Back
> stage with Cecilia Bartoli" you can find many
> instances of singers faced with image concerns.
> Deborah Voigt talks about being backstage with Solti
> (legendary maestro) and she says that they were
> discussing several projects and suddenly he took her
> by the shoulders and looked in her eyes and said
> "Why are you so fat? You are not meant to be fat, I
> can tell by looking at you." Voigt goes on to say
> that she knew her weight kept her out of many opera
> houses and kept her in certain roles. And think
> about Eaglan! Seeing her onstage as Turandot
> doesn't seem a little unbelievable? And mind you I
> am a fat girl and even I raise my eyebrows... was it
> a critic that said, they (she and Pavarotti)
> looked like two dumplings in love. We live in a
> visual world, and unfortunately people are not
> always kind and image does matter...actually making
> money matters and houses are interested in making
> money, so they will always be interested in casting
> attractive singers. Bartoli's manager says he is
> always concerned with her weight. Even non fat
> singers like Patricia Racette, who in my opinion
> isn't gorgeous takes an active interest in thing
> like publicity stills...some in gowns some in
> motorcycle jackets so she can be sure to appeal to
> as many aspects of her public as possible. The
> opera world is still a part of the world. Having a
> beautiful face and a hot body will always get you
> "in" before someone with the same talent but fewer
> physical attributes.
>
> Which makes me think about 70's rock and roll, which
> I happen to LOVE. Steely Dan, AC/DC etc...before
> the advent of video a rock and roll band didn't have
> to be gorgeous to sell albums. We listened to music
> (keyword = listened) and now EVERYONE is gorgeous,
> you MUST be beautiful to sell records. Bands like
> Bad Company would never have a chance now. The last
> ugly genre to fall prey to the image machine was
> country music....even 10 years ago there were still
> a few country singers without big fake boobs or a
> tube sock stuffed in their wranglers...not so now.
>
> Blech it's all sickening...and I am saying this as a
> fat woman who wants to sing. My brand new voice
> teacher (who I will see today) told me that at her
> last summer opera workshop it was all about who was
> more attractive and who was willing to do what to
> get what they wanted. It's not enough anymore just
> to be cut throat NOW you have to be cut throat
> weighing 90 pounds with big fake boobs.
>
> As I get more and more serious about singing I know
> I will have to lose weight to get roles...even in
> the local civic opera. Thankfully I was blessed
> with that Clichéd "pretty face" At least that's one
> thing I won't have to try and fix.
>
> Lea Ann
>
>
> removed]
>
>
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