Jose Carreras Opera singer Date of Birth: 05.12.1946 Country: Spain

Biography of José Carreras

José Carreras, the Spanish opera singer, was born on December 5, 1946, in Catalonia, Spain, a province known for its proud people and outstanding personalities. Carreras' vocal talent was evident from an early age as he sang along to recordings of Mario Lanza and Giuseppe Di Stefano. In his childhood, José was an unstoppable performer.

At the age of eleven, Carreras made his operatic debut on the stage of the renowned Gran Teatro del Liceo in Barcelona, playing the role of the narrator in "Master Peter's Puppet Show." He continued his path at the University of Barcelona, studying chemistry while continuing to take vocal lessons. His destiny was sealed in 1971 when he won the International Verdi Singing Competition in Parma, Italy. The prize also included an invitation to perform the role of Rodolfo in the opera "La Bohème."

His international debut came with his portrayal of Donizetti in the opera "Maria Stuarda" in London. In 1972, Carreras sang his first aria as Pinkerton in Puccini's opera "Madama Butterfly" at the New York City Opera, and his debut at the Metropolitan Opera as Cavaradossi in Puccini's "Tosca" took place in 1974. That same year, his performances at London's Covent Garden, Vienna's Staatsoper, and Milan's La Scala in Verdi's opera "Un Ballo in Maschera" were a resounding triumph. By 1975, he had conquered all the leading stages of the world.

In 1976, Herbert von Karajan invited Carreras to perform Verdi's Requiem during the Easter Festival in Salzburg, which marked the beginning of a close collaboration and friendship between the maestro and the tenor. This was followed by numerous recordings, including their acclaimed version of Verdi's "La Traviata."

Carreras' later triumphs included performances of "Fedora" at La Scala and Verdi's "Stiffelio" at Covent Garden, which received extraordinary ovations and earned him the prestigious Sir Laurence Olivier Award (1992-93). He also served as the musical director for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, his beloved hometown.

José Carreras' extensive discography includes over 150 recordings, including more than 50 operas, oratorios, and popular classical solo concerts, many of which achieved "gold" and "platinum" sales. In 1987, Carreras was unexpectedly diagnosed with leukemia. The chances of recovery were initially minimal, but his personal courage and the care he received at the Hospital Clínico y Provincial in Barcelona and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in the United States helped him overcome the disease. In July 1988, Carreras founded the "Fundación Internacional José Carreras para la lucha contra la leucemia" (International José Carreras Foundation for the fight against leukemia). Through collaboration with an international team of professionals, Carreras passionately leads this organization.

His autobiography, "José Carreras - A Song Flowing from the Depths of the Soul," tells the remarkable story of his life, relentless work, battle with illness, and his dedication to family and children. José Carreras is a true hero of our time, a sensitive artist, and a courageous humanitarian. With his rich and natural lyricism, he brings a special sensitivity to the opera stage.