As a singer, I have often been asked what it is that differentiates opera from other dramatic art forms, and it is simply the voice, the (almost super-) human ability to communicate all manner of emotions and thoughts to those listening. There may be a stage, sets, costumes, orchestra and a conductor, but what opera audiences pay for is to hear the singing, as otherwise they wouldn't be there, they'd be at the National Theatre or the RSC.

How, then, have we arrived at a point where opera is no longer about singing but about the physiques and looks of the singers, specifically the female singers? I am, of course, obliquely referring to the storm that has been stirred up by the publication of reviews by the UK's national newspapers of Glyndebourne's new production of Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier. Five separate critics, including one from this newspaper, discussed a young singer's physique, describing her variously as: "a chubby bundle of puppy fat", "dumpy", "unbelievable, unsightly and unappealing" (£) and "stocky".

Barely any mention of her voice, a gloriously rounded and well produced instrument, was made, and there was little comment on her musicianship, dramatic commitment or her ability to communicate to an audience and to move that audience to tears. Comment was also made about another female singer being "stressed by motherhood". I, for one, had thought we as a country had moved beyond the point where women were treated as second-class citizens, but clearly overt sexism is still rife, no matter what we are led to believe.

Female singers, since the advent of HD broadcasting, feel huge pressure to live up to the image of a perfect singer, especially after pregnancy. We as singers accept the existence of critics as part and parcel of our working lives. We all like to receive positively glowing reviews of our performances, and also have to accept that not everyone will like everything we do, and will accept criticism as long as it is fair and reasonable. If there is a line over which classical music and opera critics should not step, then it is into the realms of a singers' personal appearance, an issue which is outwith their remit.

A voice belongs to someone, a real living breathing human being, who has trained for years and works hard to use their body to produce the extraordinary singing that audiences and critics adore. All singers need self confidence to perform, and so it is on this level that it is particularly cruel and irresponsible of this set of critics to be so completely disparaging of a singer's appearance.



We live in a society rife with body dysmorphia and eating disorders, a situation made worse by the media airbrushing images, making it difficult for real people to live up to what they perceive to be perfection. None of us is perfect after all. I wonder how a critic would feel were the tables turned and we singers criticised their appearance and published it? A very wise person said to me this morning that we should all as individuals only write something about someone and publish it if you would be prepared to say it to their face. It is a great shame that not all journalists abide by that rule.

• Follow Jennifer Johnston on twitter @jjohnstonmezzo

