José Carreras appeared in recital last night at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, Maryland. The occasion was the annual benefit gala for Chimes, a Maryland-based organization that provides education, vocational training, independent residential living and other services to the disabled in the region.

The evening's program was identical to last month's New Brunswick recital. Part one consisted of Lu Cardillo, Fenesta che lueive, Vieni sul mar, La luna nuova, Malinconia d'amore, Apri, Chanson de l'adieu, L'ultima canzone. Part two, which followed the intermission, was comprised of Cancion al arbol del olvido, La rosa y el sauce, Tengo nostalgia de ti, La chanson des yeuz, Déclaration, Serenade Napolitaine, Terra e mare, and Mentia al avviso. The regular program was followed by three encore-Vorai vori, A vuchella and With a Song in My Heart. And, as he has been throughout this decade, Carreras was accompanied by Lorenzo Bavaj.

Last night was the first time, since I first heard Carreras in recital at Carnegie Hall in 1992, that I've been upstairs in a balcony for a recital-this offered an interesting perspective. His voice carried beautifully throughout the Meyerhoff and he was in excellent voice, in spite of a bit of wobble in one of the earlier songs, throughout the evening. The location of my seat also offered an excellent vantage point to observe the playing of Bavaj. Bavaj is an elegant pianist and the perfect accompanist.

It was soon apparent to me that most of those sitting around me had not heard Carreras before and were unfamiliar with the repertoire. This unfamiliarity contributed, I think, to an initial reserve. However, as the evening progressed the reserve disappeared and Carreras succeeded in impressing them with the warmth of his voice and the passion of his feelings. But while I was enthralled by a couple of exquisite Carreras pianissimos and beautiful phrasing, the group sitting to my right seemed to appreciate him more when he singing at top volume.

Sadly, despite an audience that included prominent local leaders such as U.S. Senator Barbara Milkulski and Maryland Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the daughter of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, the Meyerhoff was less than 90 percent full. Publicity for the recital had been virtually non-existent amongst the general public.

If he saw the various clusters of empty seats, he gave no sign of disappointment. He was as gracious as ever. After the recital, several of us had an opportunity to observe just how gracious and patient he was. As we walked around the front of the Meyerhoff and looked in at the post- recital reception-there in a corner stood Carreras patiently posing for photos with those who had donated $500 or more to the benefit of the Chimes. Despite his continuing limp, the photo session went on for close to an hour.

While not the most beautiful, inspiring or memorable Carreras performance I've attended-it was a lovely evening.