World-Famous Tenor To Perform In New Zealand

MEDIA RELEASE

12 September 2003

WORLD-FAMOUS TENOR TO PERFORM IN NEW ZEALAND

World-renowned opera performer, José Carreras, will visit New Zealand later this year to perform two recitals. Corporate Host and The NBR New Zealand Opera confirmed today that Carreras will perform at Wellington's Michael Fowler Centre on 21 November and Auckland's Aotea Centre on 23 November. Public bookings go on sale through Ticketek on Monday 22 September. Principal supporter of the New Zealand recitals is leading automotive brand, Mercedes-Benz.

"It is a wonderful opportunity to present an artist of this stature here in New Zealand," said Alex Reedijk, General Director of The NBR New Zealand Opera. "We are delighted Mr Carreras has included New Zealand in his itinerary, which is part of a five-week tour taking in several cities in Japan, as well as Sydney and Perth."

This is not the first visit to New Zealand for the world-famous tenor. Carreras performed an outdoor concert in 1994 at Western Springs to a crowd of 20,000. This time, the two indoor venues will provide a superb opportunity to enjoy the tenor close-up and with only 2000 seats available at each venue, tickets are expected to sell fast.

Although negotiations have only just been completed, Corporate Host's Managing Director Ian Fraser said there has already been considerable interest in Mr Carreras' New Zealand appearances.

"Naturally with such a high-profile event we would expect a lot of interest from both corporate clients wishing to entertain as well as keen opera-goers and Carreras fans," said Mr Fraser. "Already we have heard from an enthusiastic Australian lady, who has attended around 250 Carreras concerts over the last 10 years and fully intends to add the two New Zealand appearances to that number!"

Well-known alongside Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo as one of the Three Tenors, José Carreras is regarded by the opera world as one of its greatest tenor sons. He began his performing career in 1972 and almost immediately achieved critical acclaim. By the age of 28, when most tenors are just starting, he had already performed principal roles in 24 different operas. Since then, his repertoire has extended to over 60 opera roles, including Andrea Chenier, La Boheme, Tosca, Wether, Don Carlo, Carmen La Forzo del Destino, I Pagliacci, L'Elisir D'Amore and Un Ballo in Maschera.

On the concert platform, Carreras performs frequently at some of the world's most reputable venues, including Carnegie Hall, the Avery Fisher Hall of New York, the Royal Festival Hall and Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Salle Pleyel in Paris. He has over 150 recordings to his name including 50 complete operas, oratorios, popular and classical recitals, and has been awarded many Gold and Platinum Discs worldwide.

In 1987, at the height of his career, Carreras was diagnosed with acute leukaemia with a one in ten chance of survival, which he fought to overcome. The original Three Tenors Concert in 1990 conceived by Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo, was a way of welcoming back their "little brother" to the world of opera. Since 1988 in addition to his professional activities, he has presided over the Jose Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation, which continues today to be one of his most important priorities.

Tickets for José Carreras' Wellington and Auckland concerts go on sale to the general public on 22 September through Ticketek outlets. Corporate hospitality packages are available through Corporate Host.

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