I’M SICK, BUT I HAVE TO PERFORM TONIGHT! AAAAUGH- Part 2!

APRIL, 2009

In my last season at the New York City Opera, before going across the Plaza to the Met, I found myself in the unusual circumstance of having to open two operas, that were new to me, in one week; Ezio, Generale Romano, in Verdi’s “Attila” and James, Earl of Moray, in Thea Musgrave’s, “Mary Queen of Scots,” both very demanding roles. It was particularly demanding in the case of the “Mary” for the fencing, which was very physical and fought with sword and dagger … “Richard Fredricks, as James, Earl of Moray, staged a dashingly athletic and convincing sword fight - in fact, all the slashing and stabbing during the evening was done with theatrical flair …”  New York Times.

Because of the scheduling, I had two dress rehearsals, before the first performance of Attila. Everything went very well … but, as I prepared to sing the opening night Attila, I found that every time I would sing several pages of music, and then have a few to rest … my cords would load up with phlegm. When I began to sing again, because of strong technique buttressed by flexible support, I was able to regain control, but unsettling. It was particularly worrisome, when I finished my first act and last act arias, when I then had to sing the cabaletta, with the expected high note finale. I got the notes … but it was hard work.

The next day, I went to my doctor Roger Rose, who gave the throat a look, but pronounced me healthy. I asked him for an antibiotic, which he declined to give me. “Dick … there’s nothing there!”

Then, the same with the “Mary!” I was really frustrated. I went back … to Roger … same story. Before singing my second Attila, I called my primary doctor Charles Schneider, who had moved to Los Angeles and who practices here, still. I told him the problem and he told me to tell Roger to “look under the cords.” I did and Roger said, “Oh … yeah, there it is!” … a low grade infection, under my cords … not enough to knock me outta the box, but enough to make those nights on stage reeeeally long! He started me on an antibiotic, but unfortunately, I still had to sing the last two performances, before the medicine could kick in.

I called Charles and told him how the cords loaded-up, during the applause before the cabaletta and he suggested I take a bottle of Afrin on stage and stash it, where I could use it during the applause.
Soooo … I put it on the table in both operas and when the time came, I turned my back to the audience, leaned over and inhaled two sprays of Afrin over my cords. That did the trick … cleaned the cords and tightened them up a tad. Have I had to do that other times? Seldom, but  … only when really necessary.

If you have similar problems, but the cords are healthy … look to your technique; keep your support flexible and lift every high note … while you sing the most focused, pure vowel, as high and as far upandforward as you  can. That takes the load off’n the throat …



MARCH 09 - I'M SICK, BUT I HAVE TO PERFORM TONIGHT

FEBRUARY 09 - SINGING IN ENGLISH

JANUARY 09 - GETTING AN AGENT AND/OR MANAGER (Part 4)

DECEMBER 08 - GETTING AN AGENT AND/OR MANAGER (Part 3)

NOVEMBER 08 -
GETTING AN AGENT AND/OR MANAGER (Part 2)

OCTOBER 08 - GETTING AN AGENT AND/OR MANAGER (Part 1)

SEPTEMBER 08 - HEAVY BREATHING ADVISED FOR JOCKS

AUGUST 08 -  THE VAGARIES OF AUDITIONS AND AUDITIONING (Part 3)

JULY 08 -
THE VAGARIES OF AUDITIONS AND AUDITIONING (Part 2)

JUNE 08 -
THE VAGARIES OF AUDITIONS AND AUDITIONING (Part 1)

MAY 08 - ABSENCE OF TENSION

APRIL 08 -
THE FLAT TONGUE TECHNIQUE AND HOW DO YOU MAKE A VOWEL

MARCH 08  - THE VOICE COACHING THAT  MADE MY CAREER

FEBRUARY 08 - WHAT ARE YOU SINGING?

JANUARY 08 -
VIBRATO/WOBBLE

DECEMBER 07 - BREATHING REVISITED

NOVEMBER  07 - HOW TO KILL A COLD IN FIVE DAYS

OCTOBER 07 - A BIT MORE SUPPORT

SEPTEMBER 07 - MORE SUPPORT

AUGUST 07 - INTRO & BREATHING/SUPPORT