Opera characters express a myriad of medical symptoms during the unfolding of a juicy and sorted opera. We thought we’d input some of these symptoms and see what WebMD would come up with. The results (taken with a grain of salt) showed results, including possible ADHD, Cocaine abuse, Schizophrenia, Vitamin B12 deficiency and many others.
For a much more serious take on opera and illnesses, we recommend reading Opera: Desire, Disease, Death, by University of Toronto Faculty members Linda and Michael Hutcheon.
1: Puccini: La Boheme, Character: Mimi
- Act III: Her pinched cheeks are flushed. – Symptom: Blushed cheeks
- Act III: A terrible cough shakes her chest. – Symptom: Chest congestion
- Act IV: I am so cold! – Symptom: Chills
- Act IV: It’s just a little cough! I’m used to it. – Symptom: Cough
- Act IV: You were frightened and nervous! Then you lost your key. – Symptom: Short-term memory loss
2: Mozart: Don Giovanni, Character: Don Giovanni
- Act I: Beware my anger, fly! Die he must! – Symptom: Aggression
- Act I: Well, speak what would you tell me? Say it quickly. – Symptom: Irritability
- Act I: This very instant I will make you my wife. – Symptom: Impulsiveness
- Act II: Give up the women! Mad man, They’re my first necessity of life, More than the bread that feeds me, Or the air I am breathing. – Symptom: Increased sexual libido
- Act II: Who on me is to attend? Wine here! – Symptom: Alcohol cravings
3: Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro, Character: Figaro
- Act I: I burn to hear the rest: Doubts and suspicions Freeze my blood. – Symptom: Paranoia
- Act II: I lost my nerve and jumped, Down in terror and wrenched a muscle in my foot! –Symptom: Acute foot pain
- Act IV: Am I awake or dreaming? – Symptom: Confusion
- Act IV: Here I kneel at your feet, My heart full of fire. – Symptom: Heartburn
4: Verdi: Aida, Character: Aida
- Act I: I tremble! – Symptom: Trembling
- Act I: Fatal love, terrible love, break my heart, make me die! – Symptom: Suicidal thoughts
- Act II: The gods were always against me. – Symptom: Paranoia
- Act IV: (In a delirium) Do you see? Death’s radiant angel hastens toward us, and carries us to eternal joy upon his golden wings. – Symptom: Delirium
5: Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor, Character: Lucia
- Act I: That fountain…ah…I never see it without shivering. – Symptom: Shivering
- Act II: A mist is before my eyes! – Symptom: Vision problems
- Act II: I freeze and burn. I feel faint. – Symptom: Light-headedness
LUDWIG VAN TORONTO
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Michael Vincent is the Editor-in-chief Ludwig Van and CEO of Museland Media. He publishes regularly and writes occasionally. A specialist in digital media for over 15 years, he has worked as a senior editor and is a former freelance classical music critic for the Toronto Star. Michael holds a Doctorate in Music from the University of Toronto.
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