The Lucky Tenor – José Carreras turns 75

The private life of José Carreras was not always as glamorous and undiluted as his international career: his family was persecuted by the Franco regime, his mother dies of cancer when he was only 18, in the late 1980s he is diagnosed with leukemia. At that time a death sentence. Carreras takes on the fight and survives as one of the first patients to be treated with a bone marrow transplantation.

Especially the handling of tragic moments in his life reveals a lot about the human behind the opera star. He is a tireless warrior, a great communicator, and a merciless optimist. His energy is demonstrated not least in 1990 with the founding of the Three Tenors alongside Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo. Shortly before their formation, Carreras was part of the first recording of Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story”, where he took on the lead role of Tony as the only Spanish person in the production.

The over 30 yearlong dedication for the José Carreras Leukemia Foundation is another proof of the indomitable nature of the Catalan: year after year he invites stars to his charity gala in Leipzig. Over 220 million euros have been donated to date – another impressive lifetime achievement.

The tenor gives a moving farewell concert at his second musical home: the Vienna Staatsoper. The audience expresses its gratitude with a standing ovation lasting for several minutes. Thank you and adieu to The Lucky Tenor.