Spanish tenor raises pitch for China concerts

Sergi Carreras has recently fulfilled his longtime dream to perform in China. [Photo by Zou Hong/China Daily]

Jose Carreras also wrote to the Chinese audiences, saying, he was glad for the concerts in China, and mentioned by name artists such as You, Strauss and his "beloved" Sergi Carreras as making a difference here.

"My uncle is very happy about my first performance in China. He is the artistic director of the concert, helping me choose songs, especially the Chinese songs, some of which he has performed in China," says Sergi Carreras.

He says singing in Chinese is quite a challenge since he knew nothing about the language. To prepare for the recital, he invited his friend Strauss to correct his pronunciations.

"I listened to traditional Chinese operas but I knew nothing about the contemporary works," he says.

During the past two decades, the tenor has performed leading roles in operatic works, such as Tosca, La Boheme and Carmen. He also has leading roles in several zarzuela in Spain, which is the country's own style of operetta.

He says that music is a natural influence from his family. He went for his first opera at age 7, singing the classical pieces at home with his mother playing on the piano later.

After his debut recital, Sergi Carreras plans to do more in China, such as launching contests to choose young Chinese and help them develop their talents in Europe.

"The concert is just the beginning," he says.

"It's like a continuation of my family tradition with China. Twenty years ago, my uncle brought many classical Western opera pieces to China and now I want to take beautiful Chinese songs and young Chinese musicians to Europe," he adds.

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