A friend who went to the Yokohama recital on Nov. 18th excitedly told me that Jose was in a superb condition and that she hardly noticed his limping that night. She said that the two Puccini songs were the best she had ever heard. According to her, Jose showed a beautiful, radiant smile of satisfaction and the audience also was full of smile and excitement while they gave him a big applause.

On 22nd, I went to Nagoya and everybody could see from the beginning that he was limping. I felt sorry for him. His vocal condition was really great, but it seemed that he was paying careful attention not to cause pain when he needed to push hard with the diaphragm particularly to hit high notes. I felt some of the high notes were with less power than usual. However, he sang beautifully ( I repeat this --his voice itself was excellent) and it seemed his condition improved at the end of the performance.

When he sang the two Puccini songs, I understood what my friend experienced in Yokohama. Being Jose-admirers for many years, both my friend and I have listened to these songs (live, I mean) many times. That night, these two songs sounded new to me. He sang them more dramatically than ever. He was telling stories. He was playing a drama. Overwhelming! Very moving!

When he finished the program, he looked a little tired but seemed to be in a good mood. He sang five encores for the audience who were giving him standing ovation.

Program for Yokohama and Nagoya:

• Il Cardellino (Mercadante)
• Fenesta che lucive (Bellini)
• Vieni sur mar (Anonymous)
• Luna nova (Costa)
• Malinconia d'amore (Danzi)
• Apri/Chanson de l'adieu/L'ultima canzone (Tosti)
• Cancion al arbol del olvido (Ginastera)
• La rosa y el sauce (Ginastera)
• Tengo nostalgia de ti (Tata Nacho)
• Declaration/Le chanson de jeux/ Serenade Napolitaine(Leoncavallo)
• Terra e mare/ Mentia l'avviso (Puccini)

Encores for Yokohama:

• Aranjuez con tu amor
• A Vucchella
• Musica Proibita
• Granada
• Voce e Notte

Encores for Nagoya:

• Aranjuez con tu amor
• A Vucchella
• Musica Proibita
• Parlami d'amore, Mariu
• Granada