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Carreras in Concert--Tokyo, Japan, November 26, 1999
By Misa Doi

 

José was accompanied by the conductor David Gimenez and the Tokyo symphony orchestra. He sang without the microphonic aid.

    1. Plegaria (Alvarez)
    2. T'estimo (Grieg)

I felt that José's voice had not fully warmed up yet. But when he finished to sing T'estimo, I heard someone shout the first "bravo!"

    3. Ah! leve-toi 'soleil! from Romeo et Juliette (Gounod)
    4. Dai campi, dai prati from Mefistofele (Boito)

I don't know why he chose these arias to sing. I am only a music lover. But, sorry to say, I apparently felt he sang the aria from Romeo et Juliette out of tune. He sang a little bit lower than the orchestra pitch. I was not sure if the last note of it was a high C or not though, it made me feel sad a little.

    5. Lesule (Verdi)

Intermission. During the intermission, it was announced that some of program would be changed as follows:

    6. Core 'ngrato (Cardillo) instead of Interditi con dio Ah! tu sei from Fosca.
    7. I'te vurria vasa (Di Capua)
    8. Voce e notte! (De Curtis)

His voice was gradually better. I think it was good that he concentrated on his favorite neopolitan songs. Core 'ngrato which I had been long waiting to be sung during this tour, was very intense and very impressive.

    9. Cancion Hungara: Alma de Dios (Serrano)
    10. Pel teu amor -Roso- instead of No puede ser from La tavernera del puerto

Cancion Hungara was very fitted to his voice. I think that he could fully express his pure and sincere emotion.

  Encores:
    1. A vucchella (Tosti)
    2. Musica proibita (Gastaldon)
    3. Granada (Lara)
    4. Santa Lucia (De Meglio)
    5. Dicitencello vuie (Falvo)

This night was the last night José performed in Japan this year, so audiences including me, became most enthusiastic. Applause might have never ended. He looked very tired though, after all, he was kindly enough to sing five encores. Thank you, José.




Written By: Misa Doi
Date Modified: December 03, 1999
Copyright © 1999 JCarreras.com