Low blood sugar episodes, as I well know, can cause you to do some embarrassing things which you later regret.
Therefore, I was quite intrigued when I learned that world-renowned tenor Roberto Alagna said his low-blood sugar condition was to blame for his walking off the stage of Milan’s La Scala after being booed for his opening aria in Verdi’s "Aida."
In fact, the singer told the Associated Press’ Colleen Barry that his low blood sugar wouldn’t allow him to continue his performance.
The media world is now abuzz with a flurry of stories about Alagna’s unseemly stalking-off-the-stage behavior. However, interestingly, none of the stories I’ve seen to date delve deeply into the dangers of low blood sugar and how this condition can dramatically affect your demeanor and actions. The AP story did, however, note that the singer’s doctor provided a "certificate" confirming his low blood sugar levels.
Even so, of all the articles, Daniel J. Wakin of The New York Times offered a fascinating look at what happened, noting that Alagna’s behavior was " a bravura performance…" in "the history of operatic hissy fits." He further pointed out that Alagna now has been banned from the rest of the run, which was supposed to last until Jan. 12, and the tenor has even threatened to sue the house for his fees, which he said are around $13,000 a performance. In addition, Wakin gave a wonderful perspective about "midproscenium meltdowns."
Meanwhile, Bloomberg.com’s Manuela Hoelterhoff jumped to the tenor’s defense with another wonderful perspective on the opera singer’s historic walk-off. "Baiting singers is part of the La Scala experience," the Muse editor points out, offering dramatic stories about how, at different times, the great singers Renata Scotto, Lucianno Pavarotti and Renee Fleming were also booed at the famous opera house.
I wasn’t privvy to Alagna’s debacle, and as a writer working behind a desk, I certainly don’t know what it feels like to hear boos hurled at you while you’re up there on stage singing to the best of your ability, but I can imagine that it’s quite devastating.
I suspect that hearing this kind of vociferous and probably unfair criticism could really mess with your blood sugar levels, cortisol levels, and consequently your voice.
Furthermore, I know from experience that you’re not quite rational and calm when you’re in the midst of a hypoglycemic meltdown. So perhaps that could explain the singer’s overly dramatic reaction.
Even so, I have some important questions to ask the tenor:
- Does he eat lots of sugar and refined carbs? (Because, if so, that’s a no-no if you have low blood sugar, and blaming your condition for acting badly is a complete cop-out in this situation.)
- Did he have a proper snack or meal before his performance so that his blood sugar would stay steady and stable rather than bounce around all over the place?
- Does he always have healthy snacks and supplements on hand to eat before a performance and during intermission?
- Does he consult with a nutritionist knowledgeable about low blood sugar? In other words, is he getting the proper medical attention?
Knowing how low blood sugar can cause absolute devastation and confusion (as I point out in my book SUGAR SHOCK!), I sympathize with the tenor’s plight and post-walk-off embarrassment. But I do hope that he’ll get correct nutritional advice so that something like this won’t ever occur again.
Even so, I urge people and the opera world to cut the singer some slack. I know just how rough it can be to have a low-blood sugar reaction and how tough it can be to convince people that this is a bona fide medical condition–and not just some "hissy fit," as The New Times put it.
Perhaps now that you’ve heard this low-blood sugar tale, you may wish to join me in sympathizing with the singer. Maybe you’d even like to buy Alagna’s latest CD so you hear his beautiful voice.
By the way, this incident makes me wonder: Are other opera singers also experiencing such blood sugar volatility, especially given the stressful nature of their profession? And are they eating right, exercising, and maybe even meditating to avoid such mortifying moments?