Small opera singer on 60 minutes...what an inspiration!

[karlrschneider]

I've just tuned in, his mom took thalidomide and he was born with the typical physical deformities but is a wonderful singer.
(Thomas Krostof sp?)

[Dr Batsen D Belfry]

1. Agreed

He has one hell of a beautiful and powerful voice

Shame on those who told him he had to play an instrument even though he was a vocalist.

DBDB

[NC_Nurse]

2. The young woman from Uganda on before

him was very inspirational too. I'm giving to Heifer International!

[VPStoltz]

6. Now I know...

where the money I have been sending Heifer for some time goes. I thought the Heifer idea was a wonderful one so I became a contributor years ago. This story inspired me to give even more.

[CBHagman]

3. Thomas Quasthoff!

Isn't he wonderful? I was lucky enough to catch him on "Live from Lincoln Center" on PBS (both recital and his interview with Beverly Sills), and I was as impressed with his stage presence and charm as with his voice. He had a pleasant, low-key manner with Sills. I seem to recall he had a radio program, so I guess he's honed his on-air manner over the years.

But what a talent (I have a weakness for baritones). If you want to look up Thomas Quasthoff's recordings, I can tell you he can be found on the Deutsche Grammophon label. Here's a useful link:

http://www.classicstoday.com/digest/pdigest.asp?perfidx=243

[noamnety]

4. I missed 60 minutes

But I see there's a film about him, in case they didn't mention that. http://www.mvdaily.com/news/item.cgi?id=300515

[Lydia Leftcoast]

5. He performed in Portland before most people had ever heard of him

He was just a name on the program at a performance of Haydn's The Creation with the Oregon Symphony, so nobody was prepared for what he looks like.

There was a gasp from the audience when he came out, but we soon forgot his disability after the first few notes.

He's truly a wonderful singer.

[Seabiscuit]

7. Indeed! Watching Thomas Quastoff on 60 Minutes made my day

Wonderful voice, great attitude, but what really got me was his response to the question about whether he'd prefer to be handicapped as he is with his great talent, or physically normal without it: he said he prefers being who he is.