Confusion over 'retiring' tenor

Carreras is best known as one of the now-legendary 'Three Tenors'

The future of tenor Jose Carreras is in doubt following conflicting statements concerning his intention to retire.

In an interview with The Times, the 62-year-old is quoted as saying that, in opera terms, his career is "done" and that full roles are now too demanding.

His international manager, however, has said Carreras would perform opera again if the right production came up.

For the next few years, though, he will focus on concerts and touring, Michael Storrs told the BBC's Rebecca Jones.

"It's a complete non-story," he added, claiming the Times had "misrepresented" what the singer had said.

Carreras is due to receive a lifetime achievement award at the Classical Brits in London on Tuesday.

Placido Domingo, the other surviving member of the 'Three Tenors' following Luciano Pavarotti's death in 2007, is expected to present him the honour.

Repertoire

Carreras still gives around 50 recitals a year and has recently released a new album of popular operatic pieces.

His career, which began in 1970, encompasses a repertoire of 60 operas.

Carreras, Domingo and Pavarotti were watched by hundreds of millions when they performed as the Three Tenors on the eve of the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

The performance raised funds for Carreras' leukaemia foundation, which he founded after recovering from the illness in 1988.

The star has performed on all the great operatic stages of the world, including New York's Metropolitan Opera House and the Royal Opera House in London.

In his Times interview, Carreras said his recitals would "adapt the repertoire to my needs".