Thomas Quasthoff

Thomas Quasthoff (born 1959) had a great baritone career in concert, and a small one in opera – inevitably so, given his significant physical handicap as a thalidomide victim. His voice was certainly very small, but he used it with considerable technical and musical skill.

In his concerts, he regularly proved that he could easily double as a bass. Below, we have him in Zauberflöte in both keys, and in fact in all three – click here to hear him as Tamino!

There is a nice story on Quasthoff. A man called him and asked if he (Quasthoff) would listen to his voice. Quasthoff asked: "How old are you?" – he said "45". Quasthoff: "You're a grandpa, and I won't listen to a grandpa", and he hung up.

I would like to thank Daniele Godor for the recordings.