José Carreras, born Josep Maria Carreras Coll on December 5, 1946, in Barcelona, Spain, is a renowned Catalan operatic tenor celebrated for his performances in the operas of Donizetti, Verdi, and Puccini. He began his musical journey at a young age, showing a talent for singing after being inspired by Mario Lanza in "The Great Caruso." His first public performance was at the age of eight, singing "La donna è mobile" on Spanish National Radio.

Carreras made his operatic debut at 11 at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona and went on to perform over 60 roles in leading opera houses worldwide. His career gained international prominence when he joined Luciano Pavarotti and Plácido Domingo as one of the "Three Tenors," performing in a series of widely acclaimed concerts from 1990 to 2003.

In addition to his illustrious singing career, Carreras is known for his humanitarian efforts, particularly founding the José Carreras International Leukemia Foundation in 1988 after his recovery from leukemia. His extensive discography includes over 150 recordings, and he has received numerous awards, including a Grammy Award in 1991. Carreras has also been honored with various international accolades and honorary degrees for his contributions to music and philanthropy.