Why the fat ladies sing

Treleaven_Siegfried_Wien_small.jpgWarwick Thompson [Times Online, 28 October 2005]
Singing predisposes the body to put on weight, research suggests
The idea of fat sopranos ó and letís not be sexist, fat tenors as well ó has been causing mirth for years. Where else but in opera could you find an athletic young warrior portrayed by a man whose love-handles flew south long ago? Or see a delicate geisha who looks as if she does sumo wrestling?