AboutPamela Thomas Expertise Questions on Opera performance, repertoire, vocal technique, acting for opera. I have some 20 years experience in opera in both leading roles and chorus. I have sung with New York City Opera since 1981. I have studied voice in NYC for over 20 years and have also taught technique and coached singers in acting.
Question QUESTION: Hello,
I do have a voice teacher but she is in heavy performance right now so I feel a bit desperate. I am singing the role of 'Suor Angelica' next week. I've had an upper respiratory infection which is gone but am having post nasal drip issues. I feel fatigued physically and vocally. I have a run today, an orchestra rehearsal tomorrow, a run Monday and a run Tuesday. I am using mucinex, slippery elm, vitamin C, Vitamin B, Vitamin D, Fish oils, a multi.... I am just not feeling like the singer I was prior to this infection and I'm not used to singing under duress. I don't know how I've not in 17 years but I guess I just got lucky. Is exercise a no-no during this period? Is my diet effecting things such as not enough protein? It just takes a lot of effort to sing even though 3 weeks ago I was singing like a champ. Scary stuff and I cannot cancel. Thank you.
ANSWER: Hi Laurie,
Have you seen an ear, nose and throat specialist? If not, I would. I would mark during the Monday runthru and the Tuesday runthru if you can. It really sounds like you need vocal (and regular) rest. Meanwhile, if you are singing - do not even talk after the rehearsal.
I would inhale steam (just boil some water and put a towel over your head and the pan and breathe - just be careful not to burn yourself.)
You should take something to stop the post nasal drip - mucinex breaks up the congestion, I think, but doesn't stop the drip. Again - talk to a doctor.
If you have a cover, perhaps they could do one of the rehearsals. If not, really - mark (don't sing out).
Respiratory infections can last a while - but seeing a ENT will help as he/she can look at your cords and see if they are swollen (you could take a one-time dose of prednisone - but only if the doctor recommends it and only if the cords are swollen - that would help you sing). But it really just sounds like you are exhausted.
So - when you are not rehearsing - sleep, rest, don't talk! Steam, and rest your voice.
Good luck - I'm sure you will be fine as you have a number of days to continue to recover.
All the best,
Pamela
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QUESTION: Hello and thank you. I don't have a cover in this situation and sometimes marking can be more taxing than singing out if that makes sense. The kicker is that I saw a doctor yesterday and was told it would take weeks to get in to see the ENT around here. Ridiculous. I'll have to ask them for the steroid IF I need it. I may just have to cut out some singing in terms of the big parts at the end.
I'm over the hump in terms of the major portion of the URI but am still suffering the remnants of it. I'm afraid of decongestants as they are so drying and I'm singing in an extremely dry space. So should I back off my usual exercise routine or is it helpful? I will have to lobby this doctor for a steroid as I mentioned it and she seemed reticent to give me one. I said I've only had to do this one other time and it helped. It's not perfect at all and I'd rather not have to but you never know. So steam, vocal rest and do the best I can about spacing out the singing. This is just frustrating. Also, I took an antibiotic which I found out actually works on the musculature so I'm sure I'm recovering from that as well. I just wish this thing hadn't happened now. I can only get in to see this ENT after I perform... insanity.... if I was in any other town this wouldn't be an issue but here they just don't take these issues seriously. OK, if you have anything else to recommend I would be grateful. I did take a week and a half off of singing. I sang very minimally this week and am still feeling blah in terms of cords. I hate this. That's not helping either.... Does airborne help?
Answer Hi Laurie,
I would probably cut back on the exercise - but only because your body is fatigued. That will help you conserve some energy. I would call your doctor and see if there was any way to get in to see the ENT before your performance - otherwise - why go (unless you're still sick).
The dryness is an issue - so taking the decongestant might be a best/worst case scenario - is it better to stop the drip that's affecting the cords - or deal with the dryness..
I think you are doing everything you can do. Good luck!
