Jose Carreras, one of the most celebrated tenors in the world, will perform in Singapore in December.

The Esplanade plays a large part in attracting the world-class performer to our shores.

It has been eight years since Mr Carreras was in town. On December 2, his voice will resonate at the newly-opened world-class concert hall at the Esplanade.

In a pre-recorded greeting provided by IMG, Mr Carreras said: "I am very pleased to return to Singapore, that I'll be singing at this new wonderful venue - the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay in Singapore. "The news has spread to all over the world about this wonderful venue. Soon I am sure this will be compared to icons of other classical music in the world, such as the great Royal Albert Hall, New York Metroploitan Opera House, London Royal Opera, etc."

Mr Mark Adams, Senior International Vice President of IMG, said: "Obviously without the Esplanade, Mr Carreras would not have come to Singapore. He was looking to do few performances in Asia and we have a few countries that he could have gone to."

Mr Carreras will be accompanied by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and he will be treating some 1,600 music lovers from Singapore and the region to a diverse repertoire, specially selected by himself.The media on Wednesday caught a glimpse of another side to the tenor.

Mr Frank Messer, President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler (Southeast Asia), said: "It was in 1998 or 99 that he participated in the famous race Mille Miglia in Italy, running 1,000 miles together with another famous guy in the legendary Mercedes 300 SL. So he likes cars!" Already, half the seats at 'Jose Carreras Concert By the Bay' have been snapped up.

Copyright © 2002 Channel News Asia.