The Encore

A Memoir in Three Acts

By: Charity Tillemann-Dick

Narrated by: Charity Tillemann-Dick

Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

The remarkable true story of acclaimed opera singer Charity Tillemann-Dick, who received not one but two double lung transplants and went from struggling to draw a single breath to singing at the most prestigious venues in the world.

Charity Tillemann-Dick was a vivacious young American soprano studying at the celebrated Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest when she received devastating news: her lungs were failing, her heart was three and a half sizes too big, and she would die within five years. Inexplicably, despite her fatal pulmonary condition, she could still sing. Medical experts advised Charity to abandon her musical dreams, but if her time was running out, she wanted to spend it doing what she loved.

In just three years, she endured two double lung transplants. Teetering between life and death, she slowly learned to breathe, walk, talk, eat, and sing again. With new lungs and fierce determination, she eventually fell in love, rebuilt her career, and reclaimed her life. Over a decade after her diagnosis, she has a chart-topping album, performs around the globe, and is a leading voice for organ donation.

Weaving Charity's extraordinary tale of triumph with those of opera's greatest heroines, The Encore illuminates the indomitable human spirit. It's the story of confronting devastating challenges with love: the intimate love of a mother for her daughter, a man for a woman, a doctor for her craft, and a singer for her music. Ultimately, grace from God and strangers enabled the work of love to save one young woman's breath and allowed her to reclaim her life.

©2017 Charity Tillemann-Dick (P)2017 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Amazing book, awesome performance.

Profound. A fabulous audio book performance and inspiring story. This book is a must read for anyone seeking to live the fullest life, true to their inner voice.

Inspiring

This book contains beautiful and disarmingly honest insights. Encouraging us to lay down the weapons of our rebellion (e.g.- doubt, despair, distraction), Charity's life shows purpose beyond trials. Hearing her voice and especially her singing in this Audible version have only enhanced this sublime performance. I have been changed by this book.

Strong family

What grace thru so much illness..
No only narrator could have told this story, I was rooting for every step she took..

Very moving story!

Charity’s story brought me to tears more than once! Her and her family’s unwavering faith in the face of extreme hardship was incredible and faith-affirming. I am so glad I listened to the audiobook...to hear Charity sing brought me to tears...again! Amazing and awe inspiring!!!

Inspiring, interesting and thought provoking

There is nothing like hearing a memoir read by the author herself. This story takes the listener on a interesting and thought-provoking journey through tragedy, trial and triumph. Acknowledging it is a memoir, o still would have liked a paragraph or two here and there noting what her siblings or husband were thinking at various points, such as during the wedding prep, just to round out the story more.

Outstanding! Hope and inspiring!!

Outstanding!! Hopeful and inspirational account that truly sang to the depths of my soul. Listening to Opera Singer, Charity Tillemann-Dick reading her life story is like having a dear friend there with you sharing her tragic life experiences. This book helped remind me of my own passion for music and has filled my soul with hope and the will to live. She masterfully knitted together her life experiences making the listener laugh, cry, applaud and gasp in awe of how she has persevered even faced with the most difficult odds.

Remarkable, Heartrending, Joyful, Sublime

These are the words that occur to me as I wrap up my listen of “The Encore.” An incredible written work, and a beautiful performance. Powerful as the book itself is, I kept thinking how wonderful it is to listen to Charity telling and singing her story—in her own words, with her own voice. I am in awe of this woman and her sheer will to live and thrive against the odds. Hers is a story that will not soon be forgotten—with a message of hope and encouragement for all of us.

Beautiful!

I could not stop listening to this book! I was laughing, crying and left inspired. What a beautiful woman Charity is. Her strength and honesty give life to others who are also struggling. My heart and prayers are continually with you Charity. May God continue to bless you even in the midst of your trials.

Beautiful

What a miraculous tale of woe and triumph! I loved hearing Charity's voice as she read and sang her story. Lovely, lovely, lovely!

A truly amazing story of devotion, vision, love and life.

I love the quote. “True Divas die, but their greatness doesn’t “. Such an amazing woman with an amazing Story. Then there’s her family. AAAMAZING!
What a beautiful story of love and devotion. Yoni is one of a kind! Loved every page. I’ve read it twice already.