JOSÉ CARRERAS
JOSÉ CARRERAS occupies a privileged position in the music world. Born in Barcelona, he studied music in his hometown. In 1970 he started his professional career in the Gran Teatre del Liceu of Barcelona with Nabucco and Lucrezia Borgia. His meteoric musical career resulted in early debuts at the world’s most prestigious opera theatres and festivals and he collaborated with the most renowned orchestras, conductors like Herbert von Karajan and outstanding colleagues. After eight years of absence from opera José Carreras celebrated in the season 2014/15 a triumphant comeback to opera stage in the title role of the opera “El Juez” (The Judge).
His repertoire includes 65 operas, his discography includes over 160 recordings, notably 50 complete operas, oratories, popular und classical recitals. He has been awarded many Gold and platinum discs. Totally approx. 80 million recordings with Carreras have been sold.
José Carreras has performed leading roles in several operatic movies. A Life Story, a report about his life and career was awarded an Emmy. José Carreras received numerous national and international prizes like Grammy, Brit Award, Laurence Olivier Award, Crystal award, the golden ring of the State opera in Vienna, as well as distinctions of States and Cities - and for his cultural and humanitarian work he received 16 times the honourable title “Doctor honoris causa”.
The “3 Tenors” concerts offered by José Carreras together with his colleagues Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti to the world are legendary. Followed by world-wide audiences of over two billion they have created an unprecedented impact in the world of opera!
In the last years José Carreras performed in numerous memorable concerts around the globe in prestigious concert halls as well as in special events, festivals and open air concerts.
Recent recordings: the CD “Belle Epoque” containing works of composers such as Satie, Ravel, Schreker, Schönberg, Puccini etc. was released by Sony as well as the CD “Mediterranean Passion” which consists of songs from Italy, Spain and his homeland Catalonia. Quote in Classic FM magazine”...it’s clear from this new release that a return to the romantic song repertoire will guarantee packed concerts. With this material, his lyrical vocal qualities are reminiscent of Caruso, with that trademark impassioned delivery...” on Carreras’ latest CD “25 Meraviglioso” he joins forces with world stars like José Feliciano, Lang Lang, Alison Balsom, David Garrett or Richard Galliano and on “Christmas in Moscow” live recording he performs with Placido Domingo and Norwegian singer Sissel.
Since 1988, in addition to his professional activities, he presides with total dedication and enthusiasm over the “José Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation” established in Barcelona and with branches in the United States, Switzerland and Germany. Currently the international José Leukaemia Foundation is one of his most important goals and priorities.