DECEMBER 5, 1997

I just returned from a rather whirlwind trip to LA, and was privileged to be the guest of José Carreras at his wonderful recital in Pasadena last night. It was the first time I've seen José in almost two years. We've been friends since 1973, and used to get together much more often, when he sang more in NY.

I had a lovely visit with him for the better part of an hour before his recital, and we kinda caught up on old times. I asked him where he was almost exactly 20 years ago, and he thought, and then said "La Scala - Don Carlo opening night." I said right- and gave him the new CD release of this performance. He was thrilled that it was out, and recollected about those performances - which I think were the best live Don Carlos I've ever heard.

I wished him a happy birthday, (he was 51 the day before- on Dec. 5), and gave him a funny card - can't be repeated here.

I told him I had heard reports that he would be returning to the Met in the opera Sly by Wolf-Ferrari. He looked surprised. How do you know, he asked me. I told him that I read it on the internet, and he seemed amazed - he said that everybody knows everything these days!

In fact, it is almost definitely going to happen in 1999-2000. He wants to convince Domingo to share the performances with him, so that perhaps they could do 6 or 7 each. José is doing this opera in May in Zurich, and will sing it at the reopening of the Liceo the following season. He said there are four good parts, and it's really very beautiful music. He told me Pertile recorded it, and now I have to find copies of these somewhere.

Talking with José was both wonderful and poignant. It's now been 10 years since he's been in remission from his leukemia, and that's considered a guaranteed cure, as far as I know, in the sense that nobody in remission that long has ever come down with this dread disease again. Thank God. He is such a sweet, wonderful man. He looked terrific- in the full bloom of health, and much younger than his years. I've sort of been on a cloud ever since we visited.

The recital - it was, without doubt, the best I have heard José sing in a number of years. The audience was in a frenzy after many selections. I have my program at home, but there were the usual Tosti songs, Spanish songs, some interesting Leoncavallo songs in French, etc. No opera was on the program, but as the evening progressed, it became apparent that he was in such magnificent form, that it was a shame he offered no arias. But Italian, and Neopolitan songs abounded, and by the time he got to one of his trademarks 'Core 'ngrato', the audience actually squealed because the opening notes were so drop dead gorgeous. He actually sang many high B flats, all just perfect. His shortcomings are well known, and have been noted by many folks, including here on Opera-l. Let me tell you - on this night there were none.

From the most delicate of pianos, to the clearest and loudest of fortes, Carreras gave of himself to this long sold out house, and thrilled everyone. The flowers after the last (fifth) encore were incredible. He was literally showered with them all evening. A great success, and a concert that I will never forget. Happy birthday, indeed, dear José, and God Bless You.

In our earlier visit, I said he should come back to the Met, etc. and he said he'd like to, but not to do Tosca like he did 20 years ago. He then said "I can't do Tosca the way I did it 20 years ago", and I said "Oh, I don't know about that", to which he countered, "Well, I know about that - believe me." Very moving, and a very special man. Rip him apart all you want. I love him, and I love his singing.

Indeed - all the best wishes to this wonderful tenor and wonderful man.

DECEMBER 5, 1998

I am indeed proud to call José Carreras my friend. He is at once thoughtful, considerate, and one of the most truly caring people one could ever hope to know.

The first time I saw José sing was in 1972, at the NYCO. I think the first role I saw him in was Alfredo in La Traviata. He was simply glorious. Only 25 at the time, he truly looked the part of the young, innocent Alfredo. And he sang the hell out of the music.

Shortly thereafter he appeared in Lombardi with Eve Queler and the Opera Orchestra of NY, and Renata Scotto starring. It was a thrilling evening of music making. Scotto was mesmerizing, and in great voice, and Carreras kept up with her in every way. He was quite unknown at the time, but by the end of the performance everyone was talking about this very young Spanish tenor with the gorgeous voice.

Many performances followed at the NYCO over the next couple of years, including Boheme, Tosca, Lucia, Butterfly, and the aforementioned Traviata. José rapidly developed a following in NY.

The rest is history, and he has been forced to conquer much more than any of us are ever faced with.

Vincero, vincero!! My - did he ever.

His career is now in its 28th year, which is impossible for me to believe. New challenges are what always interested José, and his Sly at Washington D.C. is the next to come, and his first complete opera in this country in over ten years.

Happy birthday, dear friend. I, and millions of others, wish you many more years of wonderful health and wonderful singing.

With all my love and affection, Ed