JOSE CARRERAS

"He is certainly a genius. A rare combination - the voice, musicality, integrity, hard work and tremendous beauty. And all this got to him. I am happy that I first noticed this brilliant and has helped the world see it, "- says Montserrat Caballe.

"We are compatriots, I understand that it is much more Spanish than I do. Maybe it is because he grew up in Barcelona, and I - in Mexico. Or maybe he just did not suppress his temperament for the sake of bel canto school . . . In any case, we are well divide among themselves the title of "national symbol of Spain," although I know perfectly well that he no longer belongs to him than me ", - considers Placido Domingo.

"A stunning singer. Excellent partner. Magnificent man "- is echoed by Kate Richcharelli.

Jose Carreras was born on Dec. 5, 1946. By the elder sister of José - Maria Antonia Carreras-call: "He was surprisingly quiet boy, calm and clever. He had a feature that immediately caught the eye: a very close and serious look that, agree that it is rarely possible to meet the child. Music produced an amazing effect on him: he grew quiet and all transformed, he ceased to be a regular little black-eyed tomboy. He is not just listening to music, as if he were trying to penetrate into its very essence. "

Jose soon began to sing. He had a clear ringing treble, something resembling the voice Robertino Loretti. Special love for opera imbued Jose after watched the film "The Great Caruso with Mario Lanza in the leading role.

But the family Carreras, prosperous and respectable, cooked Jose did not artistic future. Some time he worked in the parent cosmetics company - goes round on a bicycle with a basket of goods in Barcelona. At the same time studying at the university; divides his free time between the stadium and girls.

Photo — «Jose Carreras»

By the time his ringing treble turned into an equally beautiful tenor, but the dream remained the same - the scene of the opera theater. "If you ask Jose, which he dedicated to his life, if I had to start it again, do not doubt that he would have replied:" singing. "And it hardly stopped to difficulties that had to be re overcome grief and nerves related field. He did not think his voice the most beautiful and does not deal with narcissism. He just understands that God gave him talent, for which he is responsible. Talent - this is happiness, but also a huge responsibility too "- so says Maria Antonia Carreras-Koll.

"Take off the top of Carreras opera Olympus compared with many miracle, - writes A. Yaroslavtseva. - But he, like every Cinderella needs a fairy. And she, like in a fairy tale, came to him almost by itself. Now it is difficult to say what attracted the attention of the great Montserrat Caballe in the first place - is strikingly beautiful, aristocratic exterior or astonishing coloring his voice. But whatever the case, she took up a facet of this jewel, and the result, in contrast to the promotions, really surpassed all expectations. Only a few times in the life of José Carreras was made in a small role. It was "Mary Stuart" in which she Caballe sang the title role. "

Only a few months, and the young singer began to challenge each other′s best theaters in the world. However, Jose was in no hurry to sign contracts. He saves his voice and at the same time enhances their skills.

Carreras answered all the attractive offers: "I have little know how. " Not without hesitation, he nevertheless accepted the invitation to speak in Caballe "La Scala". But he was worried for nothing - his debut was a triumph.

"Since that time, Carreras began steadily gaining momentum Star - notes A.

Photo — «Jose Carreras»

Yaroslavtseva. - He had himself can choose the role, setting, and partners. With such a load and not very healthy lifestyle to the young, eager to scenes of glory and the singer is very difficult to avoid the risk of ruining his voice. Repertoire Carreras grows, it includes almost all the parts of the lyric tenor, a great number of Neapolitan, Spanish and American songs, ballads, ballads. Add to this another operetta and popular songs. So many beautiful voices erased, lost its shine, natural beauty and elasticity due to improper selection of repertoire and neglect your singing apparatus - to take at least a sad example of greatest genius of Giuseppe Di Stefano, the singer, whom Carreras, for years regarded as his ideal and a model to follow.

But Carreras, could again be due to the wise Montserrat Caballe, who know all the dangers that await a vocalist, thrifty and prudent. "

Carreras is intense creative life. He performs at all major opera houses worldwide. His extensive repertoire includes not only the opera by Verdi, Donizetti, Puccini, but also such works as the oratorio "Samson" by Handel and "West Side Story. " Latest Carreras performed in 1984, and conducted by the author - composer Leonard Bernstein.

Here is his opinion about the Spanish singer: "Inconceivable singer! Master, which is small, a huge talent - and with the most modest student. At rehearsals, I do not see good vocalist with a worldwide reputation, and - you do not believe it - a sponge! A real sponge, which is gratefully absorbs everything that I say, and the maximum is laid out to achieve the most subtle nuances.

Another famous conductor, Herbert von Karajan, also makes no secret of his attitude to Carreras: "A unique voice. Perhaps the most beautiful and passionate tenor, which I heard in my life. His future - lyrical and dramatic installment, in which he will definitely shine.

Photo — «Jose Carreras»

I have worked with him with great joy. He is a true servant of music ".

The second two geniuses of the XX century and singer Kiri Te Kanawa: "Jose taught me a lot. He is a great partner with the view that the scene is used to give more than the demand from the partner. He is truly a knight on stage and in life. You know how jealous are the singers in the applause, the outputs of the bows, anything that is seemed to be a measure of success. So, there I never saw this ridiculous jealousy. He - the King and knows it well. But he also knows that any woman, being with him, whether partner or a wardrobe mistress, - the Queen.

All went well, but just for one day Carreras became a famous singer in the person, who can not pay for treatment. Besides diagnosis - leukemia - leaving little chance for salvation. All 1989 Spain watching the slow fading of a favorite artist. To all he was a rare blood group, and plasma for transplantation had to collect throughout the country. But nothing helped. Carreras recalled: "At some point, I suddenly felt all the same: family, scene, and life itself . . . I absolutely wanted to be all over. I was not only the terminally ill. I went to the same dead tired. "

But was the man who continued to believe in his recovery. Caballe deferred all matters to be close to Carreras.

And then a miracle happened - the latest achievements of medicine had worked. Treatment, begun in Madrid, was successfully completed in the United States. Spain enthusiastically accepted his return.

"He came back, - writes A. Yaroslavtseva. - Thinner, but not lost the natural grace and ease of movements, who lost part of his luxurious hair, but to preserve and increase a man′s undoubted charm and charisma.

It seems to be possible to relax, to live in their own modest villa in an hour′s drive from Barcelona, play with children in tennis and enjoy the quiet happiness of man, narrowly escaped death.

Photo — «Jose Carreras»

Nothing like that. Indefatigable nature and temperament, which is one of his many passions called "devastating", throw it back into the inferno. He, whose leukemia was almost snatched from life in a hurry to get back to the welcoming embrace of fate always generously showers him with their gifts. "

Not yet recovered from a serious illness, he went to Moscow to give a concert to benefit victims of the earthquake in Armenia. And soon, in 1990, took the famous Three Tenors concert in Rome, at the World Cup.

Here is what he wrote in his book, Luciano Pavarotti: "For the three of us in this concert Baths of Caracalla was one of the major events in our creative lives. Not afraid of appearing immodest, I hope, that he became a memorable and most of those present. Those who watched the concert on television, heard Jose for the first time after his recovery. This speech showed that he had returned to life not only as people but as a great actor. We really were in the best shape and sang with emotion and joy that is rare, when they sing together. And because we gave a concert in favor of Jose, then settled for a modest fee for the evening: it was a mere remuneration, no residual payments or royalties from the sale of audio - and video cassettes. We had no idea that this music program will be so popular and what will these audio - and video. All conceived simply as a great opera festival with many artists as a tribute of love and respect that become ill and recovered a colleague. Typically, such representations are well accepted by the public, but have little resonance in the world. "

In an effort to return to the scene also supported Carreras, James Levine, Georg Solti, Zubin Mehta, Carlo Bergonzi, Marilyn Horne, Kiri Te Kanawa, Catherine Malfitano, Jaime Aragal, Leopold Simon.

Caballe, Carreras, requested in vain after illness care of himself.

Photo — «Jose Carreras»

"This is about me and I think - answered Jose. - We do not know how long I live, and done so little! "

So Carreras takes part in the opening ceremony of the Barcelona Olympics, recorded several solo CDs with a collection of the most romantic songs of peace. Solved sing the title role in the set for him opera Stiffelio. It should say that it is so complicated that even Mario Del Monaco decided to sing it until the end of his career.

People who know the singer, characterize it as a very controversial person. It combines amazing seclusion and closeness to violent temperament and a great joie de vivre.

Says Princess Caroline of Monaco: "It seems to me somewhat secretive, it is difficult to pull out of his shell. He is a little snob, but it has that right. Sometimes it is funny, more often - an infinitely concentrated . . . But I always love it and appreciate not only as a great singer, but just as sweet, much in person.

Maria Antonia Carreras-Koll: "Jose - totally unpredictable man. It combines these opposing traits that sometimes it seems incredible. For example, it is strikingly low-key person, so that some even think, if he has no feelings at all. But in fact he has the most explosive temperament of all those with whom I have met. I saw them a lot, because in Spain they are not uncommon.

Pretty wife Mercedes, simple and Caballe, and Richcharelli, and the emergence of other "fans", yet left him, after Carreras carried away by a young Polish model ′. However, for the love of children, Alberto and Julia to her father is not affected. Julia and said: "He is a wise and merry. And yet - he′s the best father in the world.