Let's just pray it doesn't rain on April 15. Opera star Jose Carreras revealed yesterday that he will give an open air concert in Bermuda on that date.

Mr. Carreras a member of the 'Three Tenors' which achieved recognition worldwide after their celebrated performances, announced the concert at a press conference held in New York City with the Bermuda Department of Tourism and local promoter for the event Buddy Hill of Triangle Enterprises.

The Spanish singer said he was "very pleased and honoured" to be making his first trip to the Island and performing for the first time in the Caribbean region.

"I hope we can put together a nice event that will please the Bermuda people," he said.

While Mr. Carreras has not decided on the pieces for the Bermuda concert he did say that it would be what audiences around the world have come to expect of him.

"I am already thinking about the repertoire and that I may include another artist, perhaps a soprano. I will sing what I sing everywhere. I like to sing operatic to classical, Italian, the legacy we get from the great tenors of the past," he said.

The Bermuda Philharmonic will back Mr. Carreras under the baton of Spanish conductor David Jimemez. Mr. Carreras said that his plans to arrive in Bermuda just three days before the concert to rehearse with the orchestra.

"I will of course try to arrive even before that to be able to enjoy Bermuda," he said, adding that he also hopes to bring his wife, son and daughter with him.

Promoter Buddy Hill said that seating for 3,650 people has been agreed to for the outdoor concert on the grounds of the Maritime Museum in Dockyard. Ticket prices will range from $100 to about $200 with front row seats reserved for VIPS and sponsors.

Locally, tickets will go on sale from December 1 from the 27th Century Boutique, Music Box and Sound Stage. Blocks of tickets have been reserved for special incentive groups and tour operators in Europe, South America, and the United States.

The concert is being laid on as part of the lead up to Bermuda's 500th anniversary and organisers said Mr. Carreras' inaugural concert here was all the more fitting because he is Spanish as was the explorer Juan de Bermudez who is thought to have founded the Island and who it was named after.