Bill Nelson

Twenty years ago today (July 7th 1990) the Three Tenors took the stage for the very first time in Rome Italy on the eve of the 1990 World Cup. The rest has become history.

However this is a story that perhaps few people have heard:

It's about two of the three tenors Luciana Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo and José Carreras who stirred the world from their singing together.

Even those who have never visited Spain, know of the rivalry between Catalánes and Madrileños, since the Catalánes are fighting for their autonomy from a Madrid dominated Spain.

It so happens that, Plácido Domingo is Madrileño and José Carreras is Catalan.

For political reasons, in 1984 Domingo and Carreras became enemies.

Being that they were both very popular and much sought after entertainers around the world, both stated in their contracts that they would perform only if the other wasn't invited.

In 1987 Carreras met up with an enemy more implacable than his rival Plácido Domingo. He was taken by surprise when he was diagnosed with Leukaemia!

His fight against cancer was painful one. He was subjected to numerous treatments, including bone marrow transplants and blood transfusions. He was also required to travel to the United States for treatment on monthly basis.

Unable to work because of his illness, and although he possessed a considerable fortune, the hight cost of both the travel and treatment soon heavily weighed upon his financial resource.

As he drew close to the end of his financial independence, Carreras had the good fortune to discover the Hermosa Foundation based in Madrid. The sole purpose of the Hermosa Foundation is to support people through their the treatment of Leukaemia.

Thanks to the support he received Carreras overcame the disease and was soon back on stage inspiring millions of people world wide, prompting an elevated and well deserved status within the world of the performing arts.

As soon as he was in a position to do so Carreras wanted to repay the help and generosity of the Hermosa Foundation by attempting to join the foundation.

Through reading the foundations by-laws, he soon discovered that the founder, leading contributor and president of the Hermosa Foundation was his rival Plácido Domingo.

Carreras was later to find out that Domingo had originally formed the Hermosa Foundation to help Carreras with his treatment, but had chosen to remain anonymous in order not to humiliate Carreras for taking help from his so called enemy.

However the most moving part of the story is yet to come......

During one of Domingo's performances in Madrid, Carreras made his way onto the stage, interrupting the performance by humbly dropping to his knees and asking Domingo for forgiveness and publicly thanking him for the gift he had received.

Plácido helped José to his feet and hugged him, a gesture that signified the start of a great friendship.

During a subsequent interview with Plácido Domingo a reporter asked why had he created the Hermosa Foundation at a time when, besides helping the enemy, he had also resurrected the career of his main competition.

He answered with a short and and direct response:

"We cannot afford to lose a voice like that...."