CLASSICAL DIVA REMEDIES

WINTER ... T'is the season for chilly winds, snow, icicles and noses that blow , sniffle and sneeze ( AACHOO ). Nearly every singer falls victim to the infamous ailments of the festive season.

Cold germs play " ring around the rosy",with the human population in homes, schools and offices. There are no drugs to cure the common cold only the preventative methods of days gone by.

How often have you heard the doctor say, " Take two aspirins and go to bed ". The ailing Singer's reply is normally," In your dreams".

Come rain or come shine, the aspiring performer WILL attempt to perform, until they can no longer, speak, move or think rationally.

This is not a fault, but the passing fancy of the delirious artistic soul. Best sooner, but normally later, the truth hits home with a fury and the wounded artistic ego submits and says, " I AM SICK ".

Many medical advisers have confirmed that Aspirin and Tylenol are no cure -all for the common cold. Infact, I've been professionally warned, that the continued use of the medication sometimes prohibit and prolong the symptoms.

It seems, that the body needs the fever to weaken the virus, so the best medicines are holistic brews, from Chinese to Grandma's old fashioned elexirs.

In the meantime, the ferocious Cold and Flu bugs just love to buzz into the middle of a concert, artsong or aria, thus creating the first lines of the " Singers Lament ".

It goes something like this ... NOW, you need to IMAGINE some music and a dramatic artist/singer. HERE WE GO .....

Oh woe is me, sad of heart,

From my voice I must depart

Ah, Ah, ah, ah.............

To bed , to bed, with such a head,

A drippy nose that is all red

Tra la , Tra la , tra la

I cannot sleep , only weep

I'm caught , imprisoned in the deep

Of the sickness that I keep

Here inside my breast

A-hhhhhh, I cannot rest.

ACHOO ... ADIEU

Artists are SOOOOO melodramatic and an ill Vocalist is not a very good patient. They need an abundance of care and sympathy, PLUS a helping hand from their friends.

After twenty odd years on the vocal circuit, I've compiled a menagerie of Classical Diva Remedies, that just might get you through the singing blues. Here's a sampling of some of my favorites.

1. GINGER and LEMON ... For a scratchy throat, chills and tonsillitis... Cut one medium lemon into paper thin slices and place in thermo water jug. Cut one half of a full sized ginger root into paper thin pieces and place in the thermo water jug. Add and fill to top with boiling water and seal. Wait for 15 to 20 minutes. Keep by bedside table and drink continuously all through the night. The Thermo water jug keeps the mixture hot and soothing for your throat. It helps with the fever too.

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