Appearing dapper and distinguished in a sharp grey suit and tie, Spanish tenor José Carreras told a press conference yesterday he was ready to give Malta his all when he takes to the stage in Valletta this evening.

Some 3,000 fans are expected to be enthralled this evening as they gather at St George’s Square for the concert, which forms part of Mr Carreras’ Mediterranean Passion Tour. This evening’s performance will mark the famed Catalan tenor’s second appearance in Malta, the last time having been 16 years ago.

“I am pleased to be back in Malta once again after so many years,” commented Mr Carreras, who was rehearsing yesterday afternoon. “I am looking forward to the concert and am also very happy to be singing with Maltese soprano Lydia Caruana. I am sure it will be the kind of concert everyone will be expecting.

“It is a privilege for an artist to transmit feeling and emotion through his or her art, and the closer you come to the end, the more you appreciate that,” the 61-year-old world class tenor said yesterday.

This evening’s repertoire, he added, would comprise a mix of operatic pieces, as well as Neapolitan and Italian classics from Caruso to Pavarotti.

Of course Mr Carreras’ involvement with the Three Tenors, alongside Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo had gone a long way toward popularising opera.

He adds, “When we started 17 years ago, we were all already well established. The Three Tenors, however, helped bring opera to a wider audience, which was the most positive aspect.”

Asked about the possibility of a Three Tenors reunion, he commented, “I very much hope we could have a reunion of the Three Tenors but, as you know, Mr Pavarotti is not feeling 100 percent at the moment. But perhaps the best way to celebrate his recovery would be through such a reunion.”

Asked about his future prospects he comments, “I have reached a stage at which I am very happy with my personal and professional life, but I plan to continue working for a few more years.”

Within the context of the work of Maltese international tenor Joseph Calleja, Mr Carreras was asked what it takes to become a new Carreras or Pavarotti.

“One of course needs the voice,” Mr Carreras advised, “as well as determination, dedication, sacrifice, musicality and a charismatic personality.”

Mr Carreras had words of praise for Mt Calleja, explaining that although he has not yet had the opportunity to see Mr Calleja on stage, he has heard his recordings, which have given him the impression Mr Calleja is “an excellent tenor with a brilliant future ahead of him”.

After Malta, Mr Carreras will perform on 13 June in London, which will be followed by a charity concert in Sweden in aid of his international leukaemia foundation (La Fundació Internacional Josep Carreras per a la Lluita contra la Leucèmia), which he established following his own recovery from the disease in 1988.

Mr Carreras will be accompanied this evening by Ms Caruana and the National Orchestra conducted by David Giménez.