Do Opera Singers Have To Be Heavy?

Do opera singers have to be heavy?
Do they really need all this large body in order to produce this crystal clear sound?
Is the heavy body equipping the singer with the strength to produce a loud voice that can be carried out in an opera house and reach each audience member?

Well... here are some answers from Anthony's F. Jahn (Editor) book 'The Singer's Guide To Complete Health'

'The stereotypical opera singer has a large body habitus. This has been accepted since it was felt that the extra girth provided support for a powerful voice.
Luciano Pavarotti considered one of the worlds greatest tenor, was an obvious example.
Prior to undergoing gastric bypass, soprano Debra Voigt was another. In fact when she was told in London that she was too heavy to perform at Covent Garden, the story made front-pages news in New York Times.'

'Times have changed. Opera is increasingly visual, the competition for roles is fierce and the public expect to see believable drama and romance.'

'Opera singers do not need to be fat. Opera singers and vocalists need not be heavy; rather, they need to be as healthy as the possibly can.'

Reference: The Singer's Guide to Complete Health, Anthony F. Jahn (Ed.) (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2013).

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