Warwick Thompson [Times Online, 28 October 2005]

Singing predisposes the body to put on weight, research suggests

The idea of fat sopranos — and let’s not be sexist, fat tenors as well — 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?