Pneumonectomy - Singers with just one lung

[Hektor]

Hello. I've recently had to undergo surgery to remove a
malignant tumour from my left lung, which meant removing my whole left lung.
I'm seeking informations and web resources about singers who coped with this
condition, and in general any other info, resource or contact concerning or
not the professional recovery of the voice, or simply about what does it
generally mean living with just one lung.
Best regards & many thanks in advance,
Hektor.

[Premiereopera]

Subject: Pneumonectomy - Singers with just one lung
Date: 6/6/04 5:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Hello. I've recently had to undergo surgery to remove a
malignant tumour from my left lung, which meant removing my whole left lung.
I'm seeking informations and web resources about singers who coped with this
condition, and in general any other info, resource or contact concerning or
not the professional recovery of the voice, or simply about what does it
generally mean living with just one lung.
Best regards & many thanks in advance,
Hektor.

I'm sure you'll be fine.

The only singer that comes to mind is Al Jolson, who had a lung removed as a
result of illness during WW2. He continuted to sing wonderfully well unti he
died almost ten years later, from a heart attack.

He was my first vocal idol. I was about 10 years old, and discovered Jolson,
who was already gone. But I loved his records. A very resonant baritone!

Ed

[Mitchell Kaufman]

Post by Premiereopera
He was my first vocal idol. I was about 10 years old, and discovered Jolson,
who was already gone. But I loved his records. A very resonant baritone!

1. I don't know how to answer your question, but please feel well,
Hektor.

2. Ed: have you ever heard Jolson's older (1911-1935) recordings?
They're *very* different from the later ones, and although they're more
old fashioned-sounding (in terms of the accompaniments and arrangements,
and also Jolson's style), for me they present the "real" Jolson, the one
who was the toast of Broadway in the 'teens and 'twenties.

That resonant baritone of his started out as a tenor. Around 1935 or so,
the voice started to deepen in a very pronounced way (after it had done
so more subtly and gradually over the previous ten or twelve years) and
he went through what we'd call a vocal crisis. His popularity dipped,
and he was pretty much viewed as a washed up relic for around ten years.
When he re-emerged in the '40s, it was with a more contemporary
swing-era style and a reconstituted baritone voice. His career was
reborn.

Though his entire act can be very uncomfortable to watch and listen to
in these more enlightened times, it does have to be considered in terms
of both the minstrel tradition and the ignorance prevalent during the
era in which it flourished.

The early stuff is irreplaceable as far as I'm concerned. His tenor is
light and the style is carefree and breezy--a huge contrast with the
insistent, overbearing hectoring (sorry, Hektor) of his later years. The
voice of the '40s had its attractions, but to me it's the voice of a
middle-aged man who's trying too hard, as opposed to the youthful sound
and nonchalant style that made him famous.

I always find it kind of amusing to hear that big, old voice coming out
of poor little Larry Parks in those movies. Better they should've dubbed
in some of the really old Jolson records!

As a footnote, you probably already know that Jolson was crushed when
*he* wasn't chosen to portray himself in his film biography, finding no
reason why he couldn't play a 25-year-old. (You can see the real article
in a long shot during the performance of "Swanee" in The Jolson Story.)

There's a wonderful clip that's survived of Jolson doing a screen test
for the film. The song is "Baby Face." Before the take begins, Jolson is
standing around with his hands in his pockets, looking bored and
decidedly unpleasant. As soon as the music track starts up, it's like
some kind of giant firecracker has been lit--the man is completely
transformed. He smiles, laughs, jumps, claps his hands, dances, rolls
his eyes, and practically eats up the camera. It's as striking a
demonstration of what makes a great performer as anything I've seen.

MK

[Premiereopera]

Post by Mitchell Kaufman
know that Jolson was crushed when
*he* wasn't chosen to portray himself in his film biography, finding no
reason why he couldn't play a 25-year-old. (You can see the real article
in a long shot during the performance of "Swanee" in The Jolson Story.)

I do know that, and there is something quite different in the Jolson that
performs "Swanee" in the film, which is the real Jolson, and the Jolson who
performans the other sings, which is Larry Parks.
Even at that age, the real Jolson had tangibly mor charasima, more joy, more
dancing, and more "Jolson."

I think his old recordings would have been too poor sonically to use for the
film

I agree that the younger Jolson had a higher voice, but I think he was still a
baritone- just a higher baritone.

You may know that Jolson and Caruso were mutual admirers and friends, and often
went to see each other.

Best,
Ed

[GRNDPADAVE]

Date: 06/06/2004 6:08 PM Central Daylight Time

Post by Mitchell Kaufman
know that Jolson was crushed when
*he* wasn't chosen to portray himself in his film biography, finding no
reason why he couldn't play a 25-year-old. (You can see the real article
in a long shot during the performance of "Swanee" in The Jolson Story.)

I do know that, and there is something quite different in the Jolson that
performs "Swanee" in the film, which is the real Jolson, and the Jolson who
performans the other sings, which is Larry Parks.
Even at that age, the real Jolson had tangibly mor charasima, more joy, more
dancing, and more "Jolson."
I think his old recordings would have been too poor sonically to use for the
film
I agree that the younger Jolson had a higher voice, but I think he was still a
baritone- just a higher baritone.
You may know that Jolson and Caruso were mutual admirers and friends, and often
went to see each other.
Best,
Ed

~~~~~~~~~~~
Didn't Jolson write a song called "Avalon" that was contested as a copyright
infringement by the Puccini estate?

The melody has the countours "E lucevan le stelle."

All these years I thought Larry Parks was lip-synching to a Jolson sound track.
Could Parks whistle, too? Jolson was a terrific whistler.

I wonder who sang "Moonlight on the Wabash" when Jolson was supposed to be only
16.

==G/P Dave

[GRNDPADAVE]

Here's what I find regarding Jolson.
I didnt think Parks did the singing.

==G/P Dave
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Biography

Born Asa Yoelson, legendary entertainer Al Jolson and his family left Russia
when he was a child.

The son of a cantor, he first sang in a synagogue. His first show business job
was with a circus, which he ran away from home to join; in 1906 he became a
black-faced cafe and vaudeville entertainer.

After he began working on the New York stage in 1909, he rose to stardom, and
was considered by many to be the greatest entertaining talent of his time.

In 1923 he was signed by D.W. Griffith to appear in Mammy's Boy, but the film
was never made. Three years later he sang three songs in an experimental sound
short, April Showers (1926). The following year Jolson became immortal when he
starred in The Jazz Singer, the world's first talkie (though most of the sound
was background music), in which he spoke several sentences including the famous
line "You ain't heard nothin' yet."

He next appeared in the part-talkie The Singing Fool (1928), which grossed more
money than any film until Gone with the Wind (1939). Through the mid-'30s he
starred in a number of formula musicals, but changing public tastes led to a
gradual decline in his popularity.

After Jolson received some attention for singing for troops in World War II,
his life was the subject of the film The Jolson Story (1946), in which he
dubbed the songs for star Larry Parks. The film was a great box office success,
resulting in a sequel, Jolson Sings Again (1949). From 1928-39 he was married
to actress Ruby Keeler, with whom he appeared in Go Into Your Dance (1935). He
went on to entertain troops in Korea, shortly after which he died of a heart
attack. ~ All Movie Guide

[Mitchell Kaufman]

Post by GRNDPADAVE
Didn't Jolson write a song called "Avalon" that was contested as a
copyright infringement by the Puccini estate?

Yes, well, "write" could men a lot of things in those days in the music
publishing business.

Post by GRNDPADAVE
The melody has the countours "E lucevan le stelle."

Personally, I could never hear the similarity.

Post by GRNDPADAVE
All these years I thought Larry Parks was lip-synching to a Jolson sound
track. Could Parks whistle, too? Jolson was a terrific whistler.

AFAIK, Jolson does all the singing for Parks on both the biopics.

Post by GRNDPADAVE
I wonder who sang "Moonlight on the Wabash" when Jolson was supposed to be
only 16.

I don't recall the specific scene offhand, but Î'd guess it probably
wasn't Jolson.

MK

[Premiereopera]

Subject: Re: Pneumonectomy - Singers with just one lung
Date: 6/6/04 8:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Post by GRNDPADAVE
Didn't Jolson write a song called "Avalon" that was contested as a
copyright infringement by the Puccini estate?

Yes, well, "write" could men a lot of things in those days in the music
publishing business.

Post by GRNDPADAVE
The melody has the countours "E lucevan le stelle."

Personally, I could never hear the similarity.

Post by GRNDPADAVE
All these years I thought Larry Parks was lip-synching to a Jolson sound
track. Could Parks whistle, too? Jolson was a terrific whistler.

AFAIK, Jolson does all the singing for Parks on both the biopics.

Post by GRNDPADAVE
I wonder who sang "Moonlight on the Wabash" when Jolson was supposed to be
only 16.

I don't recall the specific scene offhand, but Î'd guess it probably
wasn't Jolson.
MK

N0- it was a young boy with a not yet changed voice!! I'm sure he is credited
in the film, which I have on DVD. The picture quality is exceptional, as is the
sound. Though years before we knew the word "stereo" the film is in stereo.

One of the most entertaining films. Just wonderful music that makes one smile
and weep.

Ed

[Mark D Lew]

In article <1gez8p5.lgq03i1fvf451N%***@iaint.disclosinit>,
Mitchell Kaufman <***@iaint.disclosinit> wrote:

[answering G/P Dave]

Post by Mitchell Kaufman

Post by GRNDPADAVE
Didn't Jolson write a song called "Avalon" that was contested as a
copyright infringement by the Puccini estate?

Not by Puccini's estate, but by Ricordi. And Puccini was still alive
at the time (1921).

Post by Mitchell Kaufman
Yes, well, "write" could men a lot of things in those days in the music
publishing business.

The music was written by Vincent Rose. Jolson collaborated with Bernie
DeSylva for the lyrics. The copyright suit didn't involve any of them;
it was against the publisher (Ricordi) against publisher (Remick).

Post by Mitchell Kaufman

Post by GRNDPADAVE
The melody has the countours "E lucevan le stelle."

Personally, I could never hear the similarity.

O = I
dol- = found
ci = my
ba- = love
ci o = in
lan- = Av-
gui- = a-
de = lon
ca- = be-
rezze = side

Intervals are identical. Harmony is similar. Rhythm is different.

The copying isn't immediately apparent, but it's there. I don't think
the verdict was so unreasonable.

Anyway, it was a win-win situation. Puccini got a pocketful of cash
and vindication, while Remick gained more in sales from the publicity
than they paid out to Puccini.

mdl

[Premiereopera]

Post by GRNDPADAVE
I wonder who sang "Moonlight on the Wabash" when Jolson was supposed to be only
16.
==G/P Dave

Placido Domingo!

[Leonard Tillman]

Post by GRNDPADAVE
I wonder who sang "Moonlight on the
Wabash" when Jolson was supposed to be
only 16.
=3D=3DG/P Dave

------------

Post by GRNDPADAVE
Placido Domingo!

Ah, mystery solved at last!!!

He even dropped his accent, for the occasion.

Leonard Tillman =A0

[Leonard Tillman]

"He even dropped his accent, for the occasion."

Oops! Forgot to add one of these: " ;-))) "

Leonard Tillman =A0

[cha]

Post by GRNDPADAVE

Date: 06/06/2004 6:08 PM Central Daylight Time

I wonder who sang "Moonlight on the Wabash" when Jolson was supposed to be only
16.
==G/P Dave

Rudy Wissler, credited in the film

[Leonard Tillman]

Post by Premiereopera
I agree that the younger Jolson had a higher
voice, but I think he was still a baritone- just a
higher baritone.

Even in his early- stage, that was so. In his later recordings e.g.,
"Remember", for Decca, his voice's lower range sounded distinctly basso,
- heavy-textured, with his characteristic warmth.

Post by Premiereopera
You may know that Jolson and Caruso were
mutual admirers and friends, and often went
to see each other.

Caruso had a similar friendship with Cantor Josef Rosenblatt, who he
hoped would join him in the operatic world with his own especially-fine
lyric-tenor voice. Rosenblatt didn't, though, due to the demands of such
a career conflicting impossibly with his Orthodox Judaism.

Post by Premiereopera
Best,
Ed

Leonard Tillman =A0

[La Donna Mobile]

A week or so ago, playing a compilation CD that includes Casta Diva (Joan
Sutherland; Bonynge/LSO 1964) I read out the brief blurb to my partner.
"Norma is set against the background of a Druidic cult in Ancient Gaul. In
her famous prayer to the moon, the high priestess Norma calls on the chaste
goddess to pour peace and serenity into her people's hearts." My partner
said "Did the Catholic Church have a problem with that?"

I think that many operatic composers were Catholics, and, indeed through the
ages, many singers - or,at least, were/are from countries with a strong
Catholic tradition.

I read - on RMO, or elsewhere - that Jon Vickers declined to sing Walkure
(one specific production, or in general, I don't remember) because of his
strict Methodism.

Last week I was watching Ballo on the TV, and noted that Ulrica was calling
to Satan, which is a big no-no for Christians (and, I'm guessing), other
religions.

If one is a serious adherent of any serious religion, how problematic is
opera - I would be interested to know more why Cantor Josef Rosenblatt
thought an operatic career would conflict impossibly with his Orthodox
Judaism.

(Personally, I reckon that the best bit of religion is music, but I
respect - and hope we all respect -that different people have different
views, different beliefs, different traditions etc...)


"Leonard Tillman" <***@webtv.net> wrote in message news:7992-40C41ADA-***@storefull-3331.bay.webtv.net...

Caruso had a similar friendship with Cantor Josef Rosenblatt, who he
hoped would join him in the operatic world with his own especially-fine
lyric-tenor voice. Rosenblatt didn't, though, due to the demands of such
a career conflicting impossibly with his Orthodox Judaism.

Best,
Ed

Leonard Tillman

[EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)]

Post by La Donna Mobile
I read - on RMO, or elsewhere - that Jon Vickers declined to sing Walkure
(one specific production, or in general, I don't remember) because of his
strict Methodism.

I don't know whether Jerome Hines ever refused any roles on religious
grounds, but he certainly was a reputedly devout Baptist. He also wrote
an opera about the life of Christ (the role of Christ being for bass, of
course). I remember seeing the opera - when the SFO came here on tour,
IIRC - but remember absolutely nothing about it (except that he,
himself, sang the major role).

Post by La Donna Mobile
If one is a serious adherent of any serious religion, how problematic is
opera

Good question - I think most opera singers don't take operatic
"theology" much into account (and are probably more open to differences
of opinion than the "fundamentally" devout, in any case). In America,
at least in my generation, many of us paid for our voice lessons with
proceeds from a "church job", so were exposed to many different
denominations - with that experience, you notice the similarities more
than the differences. I remember engagements for the Jewish High Holy
Days were always much sought after, because they paid the best of all
(usually with a minimum of rehearsal time). And they didn't care
whether the singers were Jewish or not (in Reformed and Conservative
temples, anyway), so long as one sang well, could read music, and manage
to passably pronounce the phoneticized Hebrew text.

Post by La Donna Mobile
(Personally, I reckon that the best bit of religion is music, but I
respect - and hope we all respect -that different people have different
views, different beliefs, different traditions etc...)

I'm with you - in fact, I consider religion such a personal matter that
I vigorously resent the attempts at "conversion" that some of the more
fundamentalist sects seem to consider de rigeur.

[AnMeinKlav]

<<I would be interested to know more why Cantor Josef Rosenblatt
thought an operatic career would conflict impossibly with his Orthodox
Judaism.>>

One problem with being an Orthodox Jew and pursuing a performing career is that
performances on Friday night and Saturday are out. That cuts out quite a lot of
work.

[donpaolo]

I recall reading on this group that the setentorian spipnto tenor, Galiano
Masini was minus a lung, but still managed to continue with his career.

Here's hoping you mend quickly & are careful, very careful to avoid
pneumonia.

DonPaolo

Post by Premiereopera

Subject: Pneumonectomy - Singers with just one lung
Date: 6/6/04 5:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Hello. I've recently had to undergo surgery to remove a
malignant tumour from my left lung, which meant removing my whole left lung.
I'm seeking informations and web resources about singers who coped with this
condition, and in general any other info, resource or contact concerning or
not the professional recovery of the voice, or simply about what does it
generally mean living with just one lung.
Best regards & many thanks in advance,
Hektor.

I'm sure you'll be fine.
The only singer that comes to mind is Al Jolson, who had a lung removed as a
result of illness during WW2. He continuted to sing wonderfully well unti he
died almost ten years later, from a heart attack.
He was my first vocal idol. I was about 10 years old, and discovered Jolson,
who was already gone. But I loved his records. A very resonant baritone!
Ed

[Pete]

Post by Premiereopera

Subject: Pneumonectomy - Singers with just one lung
Date: 6/6/04 5:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Hello. I've recently had to undergo surgery to remove a
malignant tumour from my left lung, which meant removing my whole left lung.
I'm seeking informations and web resources about singers who coped with this
condition, and in general any other info, resource or contact concerning or
not the professional recovery of the voice, or simply about what does it
generally mean living with just one lung.
Best regards & many thanks in advance,
Hektor.

I'm sure you'll be fine.
The only singer that comes to mind is Al Jolson, who had a lung removed as a
result of illness during WW2. He continuted to sing wonderfully well unti he
died almost ten years later, from a heart attack.
He was my first vocal idol. I was about 10 years old, and discovered Jolson,
who was already gone. But I loved his records. A very resonant baritone!
Ed

Don't forget the obvious!!! Richard Tauber had a pneumonectomy some
short time before his death, and in one of his last movies he is seen
singing live on one lung. As far as singing physiology goes, it
should make little difference, depending on whether or not you have
disease in the remaining lung. Often lung malignancy occurs on a
backdrop of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The reduction in
vital capacity from the pneumonectomy that you experience may
compromise your ability to sing long phrases.

Best of luck,
Pete

[David Melnick]

Post by Hektor
Hello. I've recently had to undergo surgery to remove a
malignant tumour from my left lung, which meant removing my whole left lung.
I'm seeking informations and web resources about singers who coped with this
condition, and in general any other info, resource or contact concerning or
not the professional recovery of the voice, or simply about what does it
generally mean living with just one lung.
Best regards & many thanks in advance,
Hektor.

He wasn't a singer, but a friend of mine lived for many
years after one of his lungs was removed, and he made his
living in part with his (speaking) voice. He died many
years later, and not of cancer. Sorry I can't be of further
help. I know what you want now is solid information. Good
luck, Hektor, and a speedy recovery!

David

[Stephen Jay-Taylor]

First things first : get better and keep well. Now, I know that in my
lifetime (not that long ) I've heard a genuinely one-lunged singer at Covent
Garden ( as opposed to the hundreds who only sounded like it ) but I'm
currently having a CRAFT moment (Can't Remember A Fucking Thing ) and find
myself wanting to say Kari Nurmela, who was actually one-armed, or Pedro
Lavirgen, who was one-legged. ( I know : this is starting to sound like
Barak's brothers, but it's all true.) It'll come to me, probably when I'm
not trying so hard. The point is, whoever it was, I had to be told about it
and would never have guessed otherwise. All those aspects of the physical
business of singing that laymen like me would have imagined would've been
impaired - breath control, volume - were just fine.
Further back in the mists of vocal history, I seem to recall reading that
Claudia Muzio, none greater, sang in her final years with only one
functioning lung. And IIRC, Emmy Bettendorf, an inter-war years reigning
diva in Berlin, did the same. As for the specific prognosis, I should've
thought your doctors would be the best people to ask, though it's worth
bearing in mind that, as a general rule, anything the human body has a pair
of will function perfectly well with just one. ( Moral : never have liver or
brain trouble, as evidently afflicts so many RMO posters. ) Hope this helps
and good luck SJT

[La Donna Mobile]

Can I just say - this made me laugh (is CRAFT trademarked?)

To go back onto topic, I am sure that I saw on some medical soap years ago
(Angels, FWIW) that when a lung is removed, the remaining one spreads and
forms a second one. Now, I do not regard third rate soaps as reliable forms
of medical knowledge. OTOH, they wouldn't make it up would they?

Post by Stephen Jay-Taylor
First things first : get better and keep well. Now, I know that in my
lifetime (not that long ) I've heard a genuinely one-lunged singer at Covent
Garden ( as opposed to the hundreds who only sounded like it ) but I'm
currently having a CRAFT moment (Can't Remember A Fucking Thing ) and find
myself wanting to say Kari Nurmela, who was actually one-armed, or Pedro
Lavirgen, who was one-legged. ( I know : this is starting to sound like
Barak's brothers, but it's all true.) It'll come to me, probably when I'm
not trying so hard. The point is, whoever it was, I had to be told about it
and would never have guessed otherwise. All those aspects of the physical
business of singing that laymen like me would have imagined would've been
impaired - breath control, volume - were just fine.
Further back in the mists of vocal history, I seem to recall reading that
Claudia Muzio, none greater, sang in her final years with only one
functioning lung. And IIRC, Emmy Bettendorf, an inter-war years reigning
diva in Berlin, did the same. As for the specific prognosis, I should've
thought your doctors would be the best people to ask, though it's worth
bearing in mind that, as a general rule, anything the human body has a pair
of will function perfectly well with just one. ( Moral : never have liver or
brain trouble, as evidently afflicts so many RMO posters. ) Hope this helps
and good luck SJT

[Leonard Tillman]

Didn't Mario Del Monaco lose a lung in late-career, following a tragic
car-accident injury?

Leonard Tillman =A0

[m***@gmail.com]

Post by Stephen Jay-Taylor
First things first : get better and keep well. Now, I know that in my
lifetime (not that long ) I've heard a genuinely one-lunged singer at Covent
Garden ( as opposed to the hundreds who only sounded like it ) but I'm
currently having a CRAFT moment (Can't Remember A Fucking Thing ) and find
myself wanting to say Kari Nurmela, who was actually one-armed, or Pedro
Lavirgen, who was one-legged. ( I know : this is starting to sound like
Barak's brothers, but it's all true.) It'll come to me, probably when I'm
not trying so hard. The point is, whoever it was, I had to be told about it
and would never have guessed otherwise. All those aspects of the physical
business of singing that laymen like me would have imagined would've been
impaired - breath control, volume - were just fine.
Further back in the mists of vocal history, I seem to recall reading that
Claudia Muzio, none greater, sang in her final years with only one
functioning lung. And IIRC, Emmy Bettendorf, an inter-war years reigning
diva in Berlin, did the same. As for the specific prognosis, I should've
thought your doctors would be the best people to ask, though it's worth
bearing in mind that, as a general rule, anything the human body has a pair
of will function perfectly well with just one. ( Moral : never have liver or
brain trouble, as evidently afflicts so many RMO posters. ) Hope this helps
and good luck SJT

I might be mightily mistaken, but didn't Tauber, with one lung, sing Ottavio at Covent Garden soon after WWII?

[Paul O'Neill]

Post by Hektor
Hello. I've recently had to undergo surgery to remove a
malignant tumour from my left lung, which meant removing my whole left lung.
I'm seeking informations and web resources about singers who coped with this
condition, and in general any other info, resource or contact concerning or
not the professional recovery of the voice, or simply about what does it
generally mean living with just one lung.
Best regards & many thanks in advance,
Hektor.

I believe I read someplace that Mario Filipeschi sang for
quite a number of years following the removal of one of
his lungs. He was the Pollione on Callas 1st EMI Norma,
with Stignani.

I'll check Google for confirmation and more of the story.
Does anyone else remember this, or know anything about it?

Paul in Massachusetts

[s***@templemenorah.org]

Post by Hektor
Hello. I've recently had to undergo surgery to remove a
malignant tumour from my left lung, which meant removing my whole left lung.
I'm seeking informations and web resources about singers who coped with this
condition, and in general any other info, resource or contact concerning or
not the professional recovery of the voice, or simply about what does it
generally mean living with just one lung.
Best regards & many thanks in advance,
Hektor.

Hi, Hektor! I'm coming across this 11.5 years after you originally posted! I'd be interested in hearing how you've done. I lost the use of one lung after a doc screwed up the phrenic nerve to the right side of my diaphragm. I am a cantorial soloist, so singing is my life and livelihood. I do have to take it easy - I really have to work at not getting tired or getting sick, since that lung doesn't help, but does like to catch bronchitis, etc. I change my phrasing when I sing, and it's been a challenge not being able to exercise as well.
People who listen to me don't notice anything.
How have you been doing?
Stacey