Cristina Gallardo-Domâs Has Chronic Arthritis, Cancels March And April Engagements

Chilean newspaper El Mercurio reports that Cristina Gallardo-Domâs -- who earlier this month just canceled her Met "Madama Butterfly", replaced by Patricia Racette -- suffers from chronic arthritis and has to cancel her engagements at least until the end of April (including her Valencia "Turandot" with Lorin Maazel).

(via Maldito Candelabro)

Comments

[asphaltguy]

$he has a chronic cracked voice IMHO & a bunch of contract$ written 4 year$ ago that Opera companies wish would disappear. Another overu$ed young $inger with not the best technique has flamed out. Anyone care to li$t other$?

[Mvelthuijs]

@aspahltguy Do you have any idea what chronic arthritis is? The fact that you heard her in a bad run does not make her another young singer who overestimated her possibilities. She's been singing for 19 (!) years now and the latest excerpts of her singing that I've heard are from december 2008. She sounded fine albeit a bit tired. She announced her dissease on her website as well and it sounds like this might in fact be the end of her operatic career. Chronic arthritis brings chronic pains and enflamations, which would cause and opera singer to lose her stamina.
The something else: can you imagine how hard it is to tell the public something like this? This personal, with such an impact. How would you feel if the response you got was: no you don't have this problem, you've just overestimated yourself and now you're feeling the consequences.
Try empathy, geez.

[Constantine A. Papas]

All opera "critical experts" know very little about the mechanics and physiology of singing and the stress involed. As an MD, I know a little more. To top this off, physical illness can impede the endurance of a performer if medications are used, like steroids or steroid-like formulas in treating arthritis. Some opera fanatics can be so cruel. I've met and talked to certain famous singers after a peformance- I'm not a name-dropper. They look drained and totally spaced out, as if they have come from another world. It will take a while and a drink to make them human again.

[Laurie]

I'm with the second poster on this. Asphaltguy: that was just mean. Some of us live with this disease.....

[Suzanne]

The career of a lovely American soprano, Gail Robinson, was ended by rheumatoid arthritis. Ms. Robinson recently passed away from longterm effects of the disease, I believe.

[GtelloZ]

The disease is actually ARTHROSIS. This os more seroius than Arthritis. isnt it?

[Mairead McAlister]

I am sorry that she is ill, but I was totally disappointed in her "Madame Butterfly" broadcast on PBS. They should have had someone who at least gave the appearance of a delicate Asian courtesan. Cristina looked like a tubby and aged stereotypical duena. Rather like Norma Desmond who doesn't know she has aged past her alluring younger self. She should stop playing this role.

[danielle bosley]

Domas is a beautiful woman and young looking for someone who's in her 40's. If she is having physical body pains then there is no way she would be able to perform. It's common sense. I used to study voice but when my Fibromyalgia ( look it up) flares up, forget it! I'm in bed for hours due to muscle and joint pains! You think one could sing when they have joint pains? The human jaw( TMJ ) temporal mandibular joint can be extremely painful. When I had pains there, my doctor immediately told me to stop singing and rest!

[MellyTenor]

There are very few women who can sing Cio-cio-san with as much power and strength in her voice yet display warmth too. Let us not forget that CCS is usually linked with Pussini's heavier roles including Manon Lescaut. Just listening to her sing it live or on her Bel Sogno CD can blow anyone away. Ok I admit she might not be the most "delicate" of actresses in the role, but I'd trade that in for the Ferrari voice that she has anyday rather than listen to weak insipid asians (for the record I am Asian!) who might "look" the part but with no voice to match.

Get well soon Cristina and come back stronger!