Jose Carreras, tenor, Lorenzo Bavaj, accompanist HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall Friday, February 19 EVEN the greatest of tenors have two strikes against them in the Cultural Centre. First, maddeningly erratic acoustics in the hall, where resounding tones can sound remote. Second, a choice of programme which will never satisfy everybody.
Jose Carreras has another liability. Without the commanding presence of a Domingo or the exotic miracle of Pavarotti, he must depend solely on his artistry. Of that, nobody had any doubt last night.
Unlike his last visit here, devoted strictly to Italian lieder, Carreras mixed opera, Neapolitan songs, popular music and his beloved zarzuela Spanish opera.
The mixture was a healthy one. But more important, Carreras gave a far more robust performance than his last visit here.
He rarely went for the top notes (an exception in Bernstein's Maria), his lowest tones were unexceptional. And at times, he bellowed out the climactic phrases.
But for the vast, predominant part of the concert, this was music sung thoughtfully without a hint of vulgarity.