Jose Carreras

Jose Carreras is an acclaimed Spanish operatic tenor, recognized globally for his performances and humanitarian efforts. After making his operatic debut as Trujamán in Manuel de Falla’s ‘El retablo de Maese Pedro’ at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in 1958, José Carreras quickly rose to international prominence. His first principal adult role as Gennaro in Donizetti’s ‘Lucrezia Borgia’ in 1970 marked his true tenor debut, a pivotal moment encouraged by esteemed soprano Montserrat Caballé. His international stage debut followed in 1971 in ‘Maria Stuarda’ in London, the same year he won first prize in Parma’s Voci Verdiane competition.

A significant personal turning point occurred in 1987 when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Following his intensive treatment and subsequent recovery, Carreras leveraged his global platform for humanitarian causes. In 1988, he established the José Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation, dedicated to supporting leukemia research and improving patient care worldwide, an initiative that continues to operate globally. His celebrated return to the stage in 1990 was marked by the inaugural Three Tenors concert in Rome, performing alongside Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.

Demonstrating his enduring passion for the stage, he made a notable return to opera for Christian Kolonovits’s ‘El Juez’ in 2014, captivating audiences with his performance. Through his sustained concert work and the ongoing impact of the José Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation, he remains a significant and influential figure in both the classical music world and global philanthropy.