Spanish opera singer José Carreras is known worldwide for creating his interpretations of the legendary works of Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini.
The early years of José Carreras
José was born in the most creative and vibrant city in Spain, Barcelona. Carreras' family noted that he was a quiet and very calm child. The boy was distinguished by attentiveness and curiosity.
From an early age, Jose was fond of music. As soon as he heard the playing of a musical instrument, he immediately fell silent and began to carefully follow the notes.
The singer himself noted that he wanted to understand the essence and depth of the melody, and not just listen to the composition.
José started singing early. The sonorous treble reminded many of the voice of Robertino Loretti. Enrico Caruso made the greatest impression on the young opera performer. Already in childhood, Carreras knew all the singer's arias. The parents supported the interest of the child.
For Jose, a piano and singing teacher was hired. From the age of 8, the boy attended the conservatory after a regular school. He combined two educations, which was very difficult to do.
For the first time, Jose managed to speak to the public at a local radio station at the age of 8. Carreras appeared on stage three years later as an opera narrator.
Despite the respectability of the singer's family, the boy was not prepared for a creative future. Although the parents supported their son, they prepared him for work in the family firm.
As a teenager, José would deliver the company's beauty products on a bicycle to customers' homes. The guy combined work with university studies, relationships, sports and music.
Over the years, José's voice has evolved into a tenor voice. In the guy's head, there were still dreams of a singing career.
The opera performer himself says that he was always quite modest, but he understood that, having a strong voice, he could not engage in other activities other than singing.
Creative activity: the first operatic works of Jose Carreras
For the first time, the opera singer's tenor was presented to the public on stage with Montserrat Caballe. The legendary performer not only noted the abilities of Jose Carreras, but also helped him take the leading role.
Thanks to such a significant acquaintance, Jose was able to go to auditions more often. More than others, he was invited to perform the title roles. By no means can this be called a successful acquaintance, because Montserrat saw precisely the talent of the singer.
Opera career Carreras began to develop rapidly. The best theaters around the world were ready to fight for his time on the stage. However, the singer was in no hurry to sign contracts. He understood that his voice could not withstand a heavy load, and therefore he took care of it.
Over time, experience and fame allowed Jose to choose where and with whom to sing. Despite the fact that Carreras refused many, his creative career was saturated to the limit.
The period of illness and rehabilitation
In the midst of a creative frenzy, constant traveling and rehearsals, Jose Carreras was diagnosed with a serious illness - leukemia. Doctors could not promise a recovery. A weighting factor was the presence of a rare blood type in the singer.
Plasma for blood transfusions was too hard to find, and donors were sought all over the country. The opera singer remembers this time as a dark period of loss of interest in everything.
He says that even family and favorite activities lost their meaning during this period - he felt that he was dying.
Help and support at this time was again provided by Montserrat Caballe. She gave up all her concerts and affairs to be around.
Jose's treatment took place in Madrid, and then he went to America in order to test new medicines on himself. And they helped, the disease receded.
As soon as Carreras got better, he decided to sing again. He went to Moscow, where he gave a charity concert. All proceeds from the performance were donated to those in need.
In 1990, Rome hosted the World Cup, in honor of the opening of which Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and José Carreras performed.
Each of them, after many years, no doubt notes that this concert has become one of the most significant in life. The speech was broadcast on all channels.
The recording from the concert was released in audio and video format, all copies sold out almost immediately. This concert was not only a significant musical achievement, but also a sign of support for the opera singer after his illness. Since then, Jose began to give more solo performances.
He no longer protected his voice, as in his youth. The proximity to death prompted active creativity, but in operas Carreras could afford to perform only a few times a year. The load was too great for a fragile body.
Personal life and family
Carreras' first wife was Mercedes Perez. The marriage was concluded in 1971 and lasted 21 years. The couple has two children: Albert and Julie. Mercedes for a long time endured the character of her lover.
The singer had connections with fans and colleagues more than once, but his patience came to an end.
After the divorce, Carreras saw the children and paid them no less attention than before. After the breakup, Carreras lived a bachelor life for many years, without formalizing the relationship. The singer entered into a second marriage in 2006.
The chosen one was Jutte Jaeger, a former stewardess. However, this novel lasted only five years.
Jose Carreras lives near Barcelona, in his own villa. He is in charge of the Leukemia Foundation, all of whose funds are directed to the development of new methods of treating the disease.
