Tune in at 16:00 London, 19:00 UAE
Live from Abu Dhabi Connect the World takes you on a journey across continents, investigating the stories that are changing our world.
Wednesday's Connector: Jose Carreras
You may know him as one of the "Three Tenors" but his career stands out on its own and Jose Carreras occupies a privileged position in the melodic world of classical music.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/09/09/jose.art.gettyimages.jpg
caption="Jose Carreras is your Connector of the Day."]
He gave his first public performance at the tender age of eight and since then his meteoric musical career resulted in early debuts at the world’s most prestigious opera theatres; including the New York Metropolitan Opera House and London’s Royal Opera House.
His repertoire includes over 60 operas, including "La Boheme," "Don Carlo" and "Carmen."
Together with his opera activities, he has given frequent recitals in the world’s most famous halls - from Carnegie Hall to the Royal Albert Hall in London; the Salle Pleyel in Paris to the Konzerthaus of Vienna and the NHK Hall in Tokyo, his work is truly global.
However, there’s more to his life than just recitals, opera and songs.
In 1987 whilst filming La Bohème in Paris he was found to be suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia and given a 1 in 10 chance of survival.
However, he recovered from the disease after undergoing a grueling treatment involving chemotherapy, radiation therapy and a bone marrow transplant.
In fact, the "Three Tenors" concerts, with his contemporaries Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti, were conceived to raise money for the “José Carreras International Leukemia Foundation”.
Carreras is currently performing as part of the BBC Proms concerts in London - Here's your chance have your questions answered by the great singer.
Do you want to know what it was like performing as part of the "Three Tenors"? Do you want to know what his favorite song is? What his plans for the future are?
Please leave your questions below and be sure to include where you're writing from.
On Twitter
Hello, I'm writing from Mexico. I have 2 questions: name 3 of your absolute favorite songs and who is your favorite performer? Thank you.
If you were given the chance to re-perform "three-tenors" who would this be with? Thank you.
From Wisconsin. I attended (3) of the Three Tenors Concerts – Dodger Stadium in LA, Meadowlands in New Jersey and Dolphin's Stadium in Miami and I watched the Paris and Beijing concerts on PBS. I believe the concert in LA to be the best of all of them. Do you agree? It was truly a magical evening with so many of the Hollywood stars and political personalities present and the tributes to Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly just before their deaths was very heart warming. You are to be commended for your part in this phenomenon called the 'THREE TENORS." It may never happen again. Thank you Jose.
Hi Jose. My question is :
Placido made a wonderful non-classical album with John Denver ( Perhaps Love ). Have you been tempted to team-up with anyone on a non-classical album ?
( p.s. : I'll be in the island of Tenerife tomorrow ! Lucky me. )
Hi Jose.
My sister Jean worked for you as a nanny many years ago. She said that she had some great times playing football together with you and your children. Are you still playing football ?
Dear Mr. Carreras,
Do you take some special measures to keep the wonderful voice you have. The Caracalla Concert of July 1990 was an event I will never forget. You and the other two tenors were just fantastic. Of course Mr. Mehta, the orchestra and the ambiance made the performance just perfect.
All the best to you and for all what you do for the Leukaemia Foundation.
Felicitaciones,
Miguel
Hello Mr. Carreras,
I am pleased to be able to pose a question to you.
If you could give just one piece of advice to a would be singer, what would it be?
I thank you for your time and I have always been amazed how you get so much power from your lungs.
I wish you many more years of enjoyment in performing.
Muchas gracias
Cheers
Aidan Stewart.
Eindhoven
The Netherlands.
Hello Jose and CNN friends,
How can your music connect peopele around the world?
What can we expect from you in the comming years?
I am looking forward to hear from Jose soon.
Greetings,
Jurgen R. Brul
Paramaribo
Suriname
Dear Jose:
I have enjoyed your voice and hearing of your adventures for several years now. I am taking voice lessons myself now. Just doing it for fun. Do not expect to be earning a living with it. How do you keep your throat clear. Mine always seems to have phlegm, no matter how hard I try to stay away from dairy. When is your next trip planned to South Florida? Someday I believe we are going to have perfect voices in the new system of things that is coming. We can't conceive what that would be like, but wouldn't it be nice?
Hello,
I'd like to ask Mr. Carreras, of all the places he has perform, which is his favorite? Also, how can opera be introduced to the younger generation?
Thanks,
Keira
NY