For an Austrian online periodical, Quasthoff explained (four years ago, when announcing that he would "retire") that he suffers from hardening of the arteries, and already has three stents in his heart, and this in his mid-50's in age. Up to that point he was a recording artist for the Deutsche Grammophon label, and had a touring concert schedule to compete with that of any able-bodied concert artist of classical music. His retirement followed the death of his (NOT-a-thalidomide-baby) brother with whom he was close all his life. So intense was Quasthoff's grief, that he lost his voice at the time. All the doctors found nothing the matter, so the conclusion was reached that it was a psychic/psychological thing. The crisis was a good excuse for Quasthoff to look at what he was going to do with the rest of his life.

He still has a career, only he isn't running around all over the world anymore. Rather than perform, he teaches, and, it would seem, the students come to him, so he can actually have a home life -- important, since Quasthoff made a late marriage to a lady who already has a daughter.

Why would anyone fuss over classical performers? Only when I introduce them, I guess -- it has happened -- probably my fault.