Munich/Leipzig – October 29, 2026 -- The 32nd José Carreras Gala airs live from Leipzig on Wednesday, December 16, at 8:15 p.m. on MDR, HR and SWR, with a parallel livestream in the ARD Mediathek. It is the first time three ARD broadcasters have carried the charity event together.
Carreras turns 80 on December 5
The tenor and foundation founder celebrates his 80th birthday on December 5, and the organizers say the performers backing him this year are the best present. The gala raises money for the fight against leukemia and related diseases. Hosts Stephanie Müller-Spirra and Sven Lorig, both foundation ambassadors, return to present the show alongside Carreras.
David Garrett makes his eleventh gala appearance
Violinist David Garrett, also a foundation ambassador, is confirmed for the eleventh time. He says he has met many leukemia patients and their families over the years, and that their courage motivates him to keep supporting the cause.
Logan, Kelly and Harrington join the lineup
Johnny Logan, a three-time Eurovision Song Contest winner as singer and songwriter, has supported the gala several times. He met Carreras at an awards ceremony in 1999.
Michael Patrick Kelly, on stage for the fourth time by the source's account of three prior appearances, will perform with Katelyn Harrington, winner of The Voice Kids 2026. Kelly says he first took part more than 30 years ago and has stayed loyal to Carreras and the foundation since.
MDR children's choir returns for a fourth time
The MDR Children's Choir from Leipzig, with roughly 180 young singers, last performed at the gala in 2019. The ensemble has a continuous tradition of more than 75 years and is the only one of its kind run by the ARD.
Further guests for the music stage and the donation panel will be announced in the coming weeks.