A MUSICIAN famed for playing the saxophone during a 12-hour operation to remove a brain tumour has tragically died.
Tributes have flowed for 38-year-old Carlos Aguilera, whose death was confirmed on Friday.
Aguilera made global headlines for his historic musical performance in an operating room of Malaga’s Carlos Haya Hospital in October 2015, when he was just 27.
He played for a team of 16 health professionals, including neurosurgeons and anaesthetists, as they operated on him to remove a tumour.
Performing as part of the Malaga Municipal Band, the organisation confirmed his tragic passing in a public statement.
“We are sad to announce the passing of Carlos Aguilera Hurtado, a young musician and outstanding saxophonist who joined the Malaga Municipal Band as a trainee ten years ago,” the statement read.
“He was a shining example of resilience as he battled illness and underwent pioneering surgery in Europe, during which he had to play his saxophone.
“We remember him fondly and would like to express our condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.”
The Malaga Municipal Band is a professional musical group that was founded in 1859.
The band performs at local festivals.
Following the emotional Facebook post, tributes began rolling in for Aguilera.
One person said: “What a terrible loss – may your music soar high, my friend.”
“A giant among giants. A fighter who knows how to enjoy life. You deserve the full recognition and respect of everyone in Malaga and the wider music and cultural scene,” another wrote.
A third said: “Rest in peace, Carlos; you were a shining example of perseverance and resilience”.
“We were lucky to have you with us. Our thoughts are with your family.”
A former university friend mourned: “Carlos, rest in peace!! An excellent musician, a great university friend and an even better person!! A big hug to the family at this difficult time.”
Aguilera’s cause of death has not been released.
Local media reported on his astonishing performance, describing it as the first time ever in Europe where a hospital patient played the saxophone while their brain was being operated on.
The only other performance of its kind had taken place in the United States.
At the time, Aguilera had been part of the Malaga Municipal Band – one of Spain‘s oldest and most prestigious musical institutions.
He was sedated and given painkillers, however was kept awake without general anaesthesia for the duration of the procedure.
Three neurosurgeons, two neuropsychologists, three neurophysiologists, an anaesthetist and five nurses were present for the 2015 operation.
Before he played the jazz classic Misty, he had been asked to read a musical score to ensure he was okay.
Afterwards, neurosurgeon Guillermo Ibanez explained why they had undertaken the unusual method for the operation.
“We operated on Carlos like this because he’s a professional musician and his working life depends on this activity,” he said.
Aguilera began playing the saxophone when he was nine years old.
He said he felt like he was “lying on a beach” when he was being operated on.
“Two months ago I was on a stretcher and now I have my whole life in front of me. I have been born again,” he said.
“Music has accompanied me for more than half my life so when the doctors said we could do this I didn’t think twice.”
