Born Norman Thompson in London in 1906. Son of a butler, started his working life as a commercial artist designing book jackets for the publishers Hodder & Stoughton.After surviving emphysema he was advised by his surgeon to take up singing to revive his lungs. Made his first radio broadcast for the BBC in the 1930s, singing negro spirituals and Czech songs by Dvorak. At this time he changed his surname to Lumsden (his mother's maiden name). Benjamin Britten recognised Lumsden's singing talents describing him as, "that rare British product, a true bass". Norman had a distinguished career as an opera singer, performing several times at Covent Garden and the prestigious Aldeburgh and Glyndebourne festivals. Productions he performed in include Britten's version of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', also 'Albert Herring' and 'Billy Budd'. Took part in Britten's first 13 Aldeburgh festivals (1948-60). He gained acting work after appearing in a commercial for cracker biscuits in the 1970s. Mostly only had bit parts as a screen actor.