Jose Carreras Quotes

Powerful Jose Carreras for Daily Growth

About Jose Carreras

Josep Carreras i Coll (born June 5, 1946), universally known as José Carreras, is a renowned Spanish operatic tenor, one of the 'Three Tenors' who popularized operatic music to a global audience in the late 20th century. Born in Barcelona, Spain, Carreras was raised in a family deeply rooted in music, which significantly influenced his career path. He began singing in church choirs and local children's choruses at an early age. Carreras' professional journey commenced at the age of 20 when he won the Miguel Fleta singing competition in Valencia, leading to his first major operatic role as Alfredo in La traviata at Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu. In 1976, Carreras was diagnosed with leukemia and underwent treatment that threatened to end his career. However, he made a miraculous recovery and returned to the stage in 1978. The 'Three Tenors' concert at the World Cup final in Italy in 1990 catapulted Carreras to international stardom. His collaborations with Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti not only solidified his place among the greatest operatic voices but also introduced a new generation to the beauty of opera. Carreras' major works span a wide range of operas, including Otello by Verdi, Don Carlos by Giuseppe Verdi, and Parsifal by Richard Wagner. He has recorded numerous albums and is widely recognized for his versatile voice, technical skill, and emotional depth. Carreras continues to perform today, maintaining an active career in both the classical world of opera and the popular realm of crossover music. His story of resilience, talent, and global success serves as a testament to the power of determination and the transformative impact of art.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Music is my life, it's my love, my passion."

This quote by Jose Carreras expresses his deep emotional connection to music. He views music as more than just an art form; it's a fundamental part of his life, a source of love, and the fuel for his passion. Carreras suggests that music is essential to him, imbuing his existence with meaning and purpose, much like love or a burning passion would in another context. His profound devotion to music underscores its central role in his personal and artistic identity.


"The voice is a gift from God, I am just a channel."

Jose Carreras' quote emphasizes that his singing ability, or "voice," is something he perceives as a divine gift rather than attributing it to personal skill or talent alone. He views himself as merely the conduit through which this divine gift is expressed, suggesting humility and gratitude for his God-given talent. This perspective underscores Carreras' recognition of the immense power and beauty that music holds, placing it beyond human control yet allowing humans to share it with the world.


"I cannot be anything else but an artist."

This quote by Jose Carreras expresses a deep sense of identity and purpose. He is saying that his very essence, who he is at his core, is inextricably linked to being an artist. This level of dedication and commitment to one's craft suggests a profound passion for music and a relentless pursuit of excellence in his chosen field. It also indicates that Carreras views his artistic pursuits as not just a profession, but a fundamental part of who he is as a person.


"I believe that music can heal the heart and the soul."

This quote by Jose Carreras suggests that music has the power to heal emotional pain and soothe one's inner being, both physically (heart) and spiritually (soul). Music can provide solace, comfort, and a sense of connection during difficult times, helping people cope with adversity and find peace. It is often used as therapy in various contexts, from healthcare settings to personal self-care routines.


"I have learned to appreciate every moment of my life."

This quote emphasizes the importance of cherishing each moment in life. Jose Carreras suggests that he has gained wisdom through experience, realizing the fleeting nature of time and thus learning to savor every moment. This outlook encourages an attitude of gratitude, appreciation, and mindfulness towards one's existence, making the most of the present while acknowledging its transience.


In recitals, you are naked before the audience - well, naked with your jacket and tails. The audience sees and hears the real person, not some role you are interpreting.

- Jose Carreras

Audience, Some, Role, Jacket

People naturally want to know about what happened, about my leukemia. They ask the same questions again and again. And there have been so many positive conclusions, even through the bad times, that I don't mind at all to be reminded of my struggles.

- Jose Carreras

Bad, Through, Been, Leukemia

The happiest moment in my life? When my doctor told me I was completely cured of leukemia.

- Jose Carreras

Life, My Life, Happiest, Leukemia

Yes, thanks to God... my life has a goal, much more important than my artistic activities, that is the struggle against Leukemia.

- Jose Carreras

Goal, My Life, Yes, Leukemia

If a man becomes more mature due to certain episodes in his life, it gives him the opportunity to look at life in a much more deep way. I believe the artist and the man work parallel, with the same feelings, the same soul, the same sensitivity.

- Jose Carreras

Deep, Artist, Mature, Parallel

If I can do concert recitals, adapting the repertoire to my needs, then no problem, that's good enough. But with operas, unless the right circumstances come up, my career is done.

- Jose Carreras

Career, Circumstances, Needs, Adapting

I have thrown chairs, but only during football matches. Generally, I am well-behaved. I do not like to make people angry.

- Jose Carreras

Football, Like, Thrown, Chairs

I can't see why we can't toss in a Junior Walker or Wilson Pickett number in every once in a while.

- Jose Carreras

Why, Pickett, While, Walker

I love good food but I follow strict rules the days I perform.

- Jose Carreras

Love, Perform, I Love, Strict

I am extraordinarily lucky, I was born in a family of strong moral values, and in my life I was able to do what I liked best: debuts, great theatres, but above all, inner and deep satisfaction.

- Jose Carreras

Strong, My Life, Lucky, Extraordinarily

I cannot imagine stopping singing. It is so nice that I even do it as a hobby.

- Jose Carreras

Singing, Imagine, Even, Stopping

The voice is like a man, like ourselves: we all feel melancholic about what we have lost, the things we could do when we were young. But having the possibility to still perform is wonderful. The voice loses elasticity as you age, but on the other hand, maybe you are more mature as an interpreter, maybe your approach to singing deepens.

- Jose Carreras

Voice, Young, Other, Possibility

In certain professions, you can love your profession; you can do it in a very professional way and do it wonderfully, but you do not have this possibility to communicate with others - I express myself singing, and I think this is a real luxury.

- Jose Carreras

Love, Profession, Very, Possibility

What originates everything are the emotions, the feelings, what we call soul. Then the brain commands these feelings to the voice. The voice is just the vehicle; it's the very last step in the chain.

- Jose Carreras

Voice, Chain, Very, Feelings

It is important to be passionate, but it is also important to combine the heart and the head. I have made mistakes in both my private and professional lives.

- Jose Carreras

Passionate, Private, Lives, Combine

When you arrive at a certain level it's very easy to say yes: that is the moment to learn to say no.

- Jose Carreras

Learn, Level, Very, Certain Level

When I sing, I want people to think only about the tenor and only about the music.

- Jose Carreras

Music, Think, Want, Tenor

Even out of severe difficulty, some positive things come.

- Jose Carreras

Some, Difficulty, Even, Severe

If you are burned, you are naturally anxious to see what your face looks like as soon as they take the bandages off. In my case, it was my voice that was my main concern.

- Jose Carreras

Voice, Like, Main, Burned

Americans, they have an incredible operatic tradition: the Metropolitan Opera House is - if not the most prestigious - one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world for over 100 years.

- Jose Carreras

Opera, Over, Prestigious, Opera House

I am a little nervous with strangers. But I'm not tight inside. I think I am impulsive.

- Jose Carreras

I Am, Think, I Think, Impulsive

I carry on singing because I love it. The closer you are to the end, the more you understand how important it is.

- Jose Carreras

Love, Singing, More, Closer

I have a wonderful shelter, which is my family. I have a wonderful relationship with my brother and sister; this makes me feel that I know always where I belong.

- Jose Carreras

Always, Shelter, Which, Sister

Everybody, even me, sometimes had to compromise on something, doing things we know to be wrong, and this happens doing whatever job in the world. But a singer must have the courage of saying no.

- Jose Carreras

Doing, Singer, Everybody, Compromise

It's logical for us to sing, but not necessarily operatic pieces.

- Jose Carreras

Pieces, Sing, Us, Logical

It is not easy for me to sing consonants, and I am sorry if I don't sing the 'S'.

- Jose Carreras

I Am, Sorry, Me, I Am Sorry

Certain things give you another perspective in life.

- Jose Carreras

Give, Things, Certain Things, Certain

I have great emotion every time I go on stage. Nothing in life gives me the same satisfaction that my profession gives me.

- Jose Carreras

Nothing, Go, Profession, Satisfaction

I'm a very fortunate man. I have in life everything I could dream of.

- Jose Carreras

Dream, Could, Very, Fortunate

I've always been a big fan of the American soul sound.

- Jose Carreras

Big, Always, Been, Big Fan

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