Features & Interviews
Ten questions for Jose
Viv Hardwick is allowed to ask Jose Carreras ten questions and
gets eight answers about his debut on Tyneside next week
THE reputation of The
Sage, Gateshead,
continues to attract the
worlds top performers
with the latest being
celebrated tenor Jose
Carreras, who approached the venue
about being included in its spring
season. His performance on Monday
with the Northern Sinfonia is his only
UK visit as part of a worldwide tour.
Carreras will be performing a
selection of favourite songs and arias
conducted by Maestro David Gimenez,
from Carreras home town of
Barcelona.
The 61-year-old star has sung more
than 60 roles on stage and in
recordings, but achieved fame
throughout the world thanks to a
series of massive concerts as one of
The Three Tenors, alongside Placido
Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.
From humble beginnings C the Sants
working class district of Barcelona C
Carreras early ability to sing La
Donna e Mobile began a public
performance career from the age of
eight.
Music study and his family making
sacrifices to fund private singing
lessons led to him catching the eye of
eminent soprano Montserrat Caballe
who gave him his first principal adult
role in Donizettis Lucrezia Borgia in
1970. By the age of 28 he was the toast
of Europe and North America and the
recording studio.
A move into musicals, West Side
Story and South Pacific, in the 1980s
and films was halted by actue
lymphoblastic leukaemia and Carreras
was, at one stage, given just a one-inten
chance of survival.
The singer agreed to answer ten
questions by email regarding his
Tyneside debut, but opted not to
respond to the first which asked for his
thoughts on visiting Gateshead and
the importance to him of the songs
selected. The remainder are:
Many in the audience will know you
best as one of the world famous three
tenors. Luciano Pavarottis death last
year must have been a poignant
moment for you. Could you reflect on
those days from 1990 to 2003 and
Pavarottis contribution?
I always had a great relationship with
Luciano, both professionally and
personally. From the earliest days of
my career he was always very
supportive, treating me as a younger
brother. I was, and still am, very sad
about his death, I didnt just lose a
colleague, but also a great friend.
You fought and won your own battle
with mortality (leukaemia) in the late
1980s. Where did that courage come
from and what is its legacy in
personal terms?
From the solidarity that I received from
family and friends and from all the
messages I received from fans around
the world. This helped give me the
determination to get through this very
difficultperiod in my life.
It is commendable that you have gone
on to create your International
Leukaemia Foundation. Can you
update us on current work and,
particularly, any involving the UK?
The most important collaboration with
the UK is the relationship with the
Anthony Nolan Trust in the mutual
exchange of donors for hematopoietic
stem cell transplant. The EHA-Jose
Carreras Young Investigator
Fellowship 2005 was awarded to Brian
Huntly, Department of Haematology,
Cambridge Institute
Reading about your incredible early
life it seems that family support and
your self-determination created your
singing career. Is that how you see it
and could someone repeat that
journey today?
Yes of course. When I started, and to
this day, for a successful career its vital
to have both self-determination and the
support of the people around you.
You took a tremendous gamble to
concentrate on singing as a teenager,
what led to that decision?
My infatuation after seeing the film the
Great Caruso with Mario Lanza.
What was the moment you knew that
you had a future as an opera singer
and what did it feel like?
When I first shared the stage with
Montserrat Caballe at the Liceu in my
home town of Barcelona.
How do you cope with the pressures of
celebrity that go with being one of the
worlds best-known singers and do
you have a best/worst/funny story
linked to the pressures of fame?
I try to focus on the important part
which is performing and not take too
much notice of all those other things
going on around me.
Is it possible for you to pick out a
favourite leading lady and opera that
means the most in terms of challenge,
popularity or performance?
I have been very fortunate to work with
some of the worlds greatest soprano
and mezzo-sopranos, it wouldnt be fair
to pick just one. For opera, I would have
to say Carmen, both for the challenges
that the role imposes and because it is a
role that has given me many memorable
performances as well as opportunities to
collaborate with some of the greatest
singers and conductors of my era.
Are there any challenges left and
what important projects lie ahead for
you?
I regard the next performance as the
most important opportunity before me.
Also, now, the development of the work
of my foundation in different parts of
the world is of great importance.
Thank you.
ö The Jose Carreras concert at The
Sage Gateshead on Monday is sold
3:06pm Thursday 14th February 2008
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