Julie Andrews’ four-octave voice ruined by botched throat operation

London: Julie Andrews, who is famous for her musicals such as ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘The Sound of Music,’ has revealed that her famous voice has been irrevocably damaged by a botched throat operation - done to remove non-cancerous throat nodules in 1997.

The Oscar and Tony Award-winner said that the damage from the operation has permanently limited her range and her ability to hold notes. “The operation that I had left me without a voice and without a certain piece of my vocal chords,” a leading daily has quoted her as saying. Andrews said that she can still speak “pretty well” and can still hit a few bass notes. “So if you wanted a rendition of ‘Old Man River’ you might get it, but I’m not singing as much these days,” she said. Andrews has sung publicly several times since then, including a performance in the 2004 film ‘The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement’ and in a 2010 London concert, but called those “speak-singing.” ANI