Opera as an art form requires our imagination. Whether we be entering into the world of Die Walküre, The Cunning Little Vixen or Tosca, each opera asks us to leave behind the every day and suspend our belief.

Why is it, then, that singers often face visual discrimination? Time and again singers in auditions, rehearsals and even performances are criticised for their size, their age, and their 'beauty'.

This week Alex and Helen talk about image in the operatic industry. They discuss size, age and beauty in opera; asking the industry to do better but also highlighting companies and artists (such as Jamie Barton with the Lyric Opera of Chicago) who are championing body positivity and bucking this unfortunate trend. They note how most often the female leads face the greatest discrimination and they wish to remind the industry that ultimately, the voice is what matters.

They close the episode with a short discussion on race in relation to image in the industry. Contradicting their previous discussion, they argue that on the topic of race, we are not in a position to suspend belief. Given the power imbalance which exists for countless underrepresented voices in the operatic industry, roles written for people of colour should, in every case, be performed by people of colour and they stress the need to continue diversifying the art form.

Episode edited by and produced by Daisy Grant Productions.

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