1970s and 1980s José Carreras

carreras portraying julián gayarre in film romanza final (1986)

carreras s leading ladies during 1970s , 1980s included of famous sopranos , mezzo-sopranos of day: montserrat caballé, birgit nilsson, viorica cortez, renata scotto, ileana cotrubaş, sylvia sass, teresa stratas, dame kiri te kanawa, frederica von stade, agnes baltsa, teresa berganza, , katia ricciarelli. artistic partnership ricciarelli began when both sang in 1972 la bohème @ parma , lasted 13 years, both in recording studio , on stage. later made studio recording of la bohème philips classics , can heard on over 12 other commercial recordings of both operas , recitals, predominantly on philips , deutsche grammophon labels.

of many conductors worked during period, 1 whom carreras had closest artistic relationship , had profound influence on career herbert von karajan. first sang under karajan in verdi requiem @ salzburg on 10 april 1976, final collaboration in 1986 production of carmen, again @ salzburg. karajan s encouragement, increasingly moved towards singing heavier lirico-spinto roles, including aïda, don carlos, , carmen, critics have said heavy natural voice , may have shortened vocal prime. (see section on carreras s voice.)

the 1980s saw carreras moving outside strictly operatic repertoire, @ least in recording studio, recitals of songs zarzuela, musicals , operettas. made full-length recordings of 2 musicals – west side story (1985) , south pacific (1986) – both kiri te kanawa co-star. 1987 philips recording of argentine folk mass, misa criolla, conducted composer, ariel ramírez, brought work worldwide audience. although many of carreras s stage performances available on video, ventured film. in 1986, portrayed 19th century spanish tenor julián gayarre in romanza final (the final romance) , in 1987, started working on film version of la bohème directed luigi comencini.

it during filming of la bohème in paris found suffering acute lymphoblastic leukemia , given 1 in 10 chance of survival. however, recovered disease after undergoing gruelling treatment involving chemotherapy, radiation therapy , autologous bone marrow transplant @ fred hutchinson cancer research center in seattle. following recovery, gradually returned both operatic , concert stage, embarking on tour of come-back recitals in 1988 , 1989 , singing montserrat caballé in medea (mérida, spain 1989) , in world premiere of balada s cristóbal colón (barcelona, 1989)