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Soundcheck / June 25, 2007 / Body of Work

Body of Work

Monday, June 25, 2007

Bucking cultural norms and music-industry trends, overweight singers find greater acceptance in certain musical styles. Sometimes, their body types are even considered essential. Today, we talk with Rachel Giese of CBC Arts Online; Anne Midgette, classical music critic of the New York Times; and opera singer Shana Blake Hill about singers who defy expectations, from Beth Ditto (of pop-punk group the Gossip) to soul diva Aretha Franklin.

Rachel Giese's article, "The Fat Lady Sings"


Comments

  • [1] malcolm from NY, NY June 25, 2007 - 02:31PM

    Its simple physics, a larger diaphragm equals larger voice. So a larger woman could generally project a bigger sound. Thats why opera singers were generally bigger. Why doesn't the classical music expert say anything about this? It doesn't necessarily mean that a bigger woman will have a bigger voice, just that she's most likely to. Can anyone else verify this, or am i going to have to get to call my ear training teacher?


  • [2] Tory from New Jersey June 25, 2007 - 02:31PM

    I am really shocked that you are commending someone for going from a size 12 to a size 4, and commenting on how "great that is", because it honestly, just feeds into the attituded that "thin is in". I would rather you focussed on health, rather than on size.

    Tory
  • [3] Sam from Brooklyn June 25, 2007 - 02:55PM

    You guys are really scraping the bottom of the barrel with this topic. It's also pretty offensive- why should a woman's weight have anything to do with her being respected as a musician? Fat women in music is nothing new.

This thread is closed.


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