Expert hydrators, germ evaders and strange noise makers! Here are the truths all opera singers will be familiar with.

A night at the opera is a rarefied experience: the champagne at interval, the chance to dress your best and of course the grandeur and spectacle of performance. Sublime!

But for those who tread the boards on the other side of the velvet curtain the experience can be quite different. We head backstage to reveal the 10 things all opera singers know!

Making strange noises and touching your chest is a daily occurrence

Warming up is a strange hinterland between appearing overly frisky and mentally deranged. What’s worse is that you often find yourself doing it unconsciously while walking round the supermarket.

You know how to say very unhelpful sentences in multiple languages

If you’re ever stuck in Germany, France or Italy and need to be able to tell someone you have consumption, that you’re madly in love with them, or you want to die, opera singers have your back!

You’re constantly paranoid about germs

Sympathy for sick colleagues is entirely put on. Please bugger off and take your germs with you.

You have a different idea of what a good Friday night consists of…

Steam inhalation and a pint of Berocca.

Despite your best efforts, you WILL get  sick

Usually with a massive throat infection the day before you open in a major role. DAMN YOU GERMS!

You know every possible way to consume water

Whether it be filtered, with a lump of charcoal in it, ionised, boiled, infused with special herbs someone told you were “good for the cords” or inhaled (admit it, you own a Humidiflyer mask…), you’re a master of hydration.

Social media offers far too many opportunities for humble brags

“Anyone have any recommendations for good restaurants near La Scala?”

Rehearsing love scenes is usually torture

And sex scenes even more so, chiefly because there’s very few positions where you can both be facing the audience!

Uncomfortable wigs, corsets and mountains of slap (for both guys and gals) is the norm.

If in doubt always add more blusher! LOTS more blusher!

Everyone assumes you’re Brunhilde

Despite what most people think, you rarely get to wear a helmet with horns sticking out of it.