In Montana Quarterly Interview, Tenor Brandon Jovanovich Opens Up About Singing Met Opera ‘Moby Dick’ While Battling Cancer
By David Salazar(Photo credit: Zenith Richards / Met Opera)
In an interview in the summer issue of Montana Quarterly, written by Patrick Sauer, tenor Brandon Jovanovich revealed that he had stage four prostate cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy during his run of “Moby Dick” at the Metropolitan Opera.
Sauer, who also interviewed this writer for the story, revealed that he had spoken with Jovanovich for a feature and that he had asked Jovanovich about his cancellations throughout the run. Jovanovich’s response was that “Chemo wiped me out. I have stage four prostate cancer.”
The tenor was given the diagnosis last September, and while challenging for his family, he was already in preparations for a year to take on the role of Captain Ahab. He noted that the Metropolitan Opera team was fantastic and the cast was soooo understanding and accommodating. I wasn’t done with chemo, so nobody knew exactly what the hell was going to happen, and it was a play-it-by-ear thing. During rehearsal, everyone was telling me to take it easy, save it for when we start working with the orchestra, but I needed to prove to myself I could handle Ahab. I refused to leave anyone in the lurch,” Jovanovich noted in the interview with Sauer.
In all, the chemotherapy forced Jovanovich out of three performances, and Sauer notes that while the cancer has metastasized and spread, “it’s not in his bones or any vital organs.” Moreover, the doctor noted during an ensuing medical visit that the “cancer was in remission.”
In concluding the article, during which Jovanovich relates his youth and the challenges toward building his opera career, the tenor notes that “Overall, I’m thrilled I was part of ‘Moby Dick’ and feel like we hit our stride together.”
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