Lovely introduction my friend, very respectful. Please check out all of Queen's and Fred's back catalogue and then look at Jeff Wayne's musical version of The War of the Worlds - amazing! Just give it the first 5 minutes and you'll be hooked - classic 70's prog rock + outstanding artwork concept album to boot! Please
Freddie heard her sing at an opera and said she had the greatest voice he had ever heard. He wrote this as a duet and she agreed to sing it with him. The two greatest voices. Two years later olympics were held in Barcelona and they used this as the theme music, Legends never die, they live forever in their music"......And this was LIVE !
Name me another rock singer who would even DARE to get up and sing with somebody as talented as Montserrat Caballe? And when he did he could hack it....easily
TraENT I'm from Barcelona, every time I watch the video, it seems like it was yesterday, and it's been 30 years. My wife studied at the Liceo where Montserrat sang, she was very nice and a good person. two stars are back together.
Wow really!!! my good how lucky of you to see those Giants of the music what an incredible memory for the rest of your live, I really would love to be there as you!
@@Henso618 I think it was entitled "The Great Pretender". There's a little interview with her where they play some recorded tapes of one of their studio sessions and you can see she gets visibly emotional listening to her passed friend.
Freddie and Monserrat spent entire night improvising together the night they met (they finally quit at 6 am). Each fell in love with the other's voice. He wrote a series of operatic songs just for the two of them to record. Barcelona was played at the Olympic Games in Barcelona a couple of years later after Freddie had passed. I played this song for my mother who is operationally trained. She liked it! Freddie knew no bounds when it came to composing songs. He was always pushing the limits of what he could do. I personally think this was a love song written about Montserrat. He fell in love with her voice the night he sat in the audience of an opera she was starring in. Thing is, I believe she felt exactly the same way about Freddie.
@traENT thank you for reacting to "Barcelona" and your reaction was priceless. I LOVED IT!!!! There was a documentary that said when Freddie first heard Montserrat Caballè singing at the Opera his jaw dropped, he was speechless and stunned by her beautiful vocals. He was so infatuated with her vocal abilities he invited her to sing a song with him. He couldn't believe his luck when she said yes. She really didn't know much about the rock world so she asked him how many songs do you play on an album he said about 10 so she said let's do a whole album together. It was like a dream come true for him because he loved Opera so much. Freddie and Montserrat spent almost a year together making this album and they became very close friends. After Freddie's death she was interviewed and she spoke very highly of Freddie Mercury. She said that because of Freddie Mercury young people were now coming to the Opera to "hear the woman that sang with Freddie Mercury". She also spoke of other artist mostly pop and rock wanting to sing duets with her BUT She turned them ALL down by saying "unless you are as musically gifted and as talented as Freddie Mercury only then will I consider working with you." She stated that the time she spent with Freddie was SO SPECIAL that it was an experience she wouldn't change for anything. After working with Freddie she only worked with people of the Opera. So in HER opinion there was NOBODY that could ever come close to Freddie Mercury.
I accidentally found this song and so glad I did. Freddie was amazing and the pair was right on. RIP Freddie. We still love you, thank you, and miss you.
Freddie and Montserrat were great friends, they loved each other very much. She was one of the best opera singers of all times. Unfortunately he died just a few days ago. As an opera singer, I would like to see you reacting to singers doing classic music. It would be interesting
In a documentary Montserrat talks about Freddie's passing, and it's heartbreaking to listen to. They were both truly fond of each others, and you can tell by the way they harmonize in this performance, how he kisses her hand with sincerity, and how they both share that extacy at the end of the song, it's very deep and real I knew this song before I knew who either of them were, as I was a little kid when Barcelona olympic games happened, and this song completely mesmerized me
Thank you for the wonderful reaction! I love this opera. They were magic. Freddie never ceases to amaze. Monserrat and Freddie genuinely adored each other. She was devastated when he passed away.
the whole album "barcelona" is a masterpiece. I recommend that you listen to it whole, it's brilliant. I congratulate you for your reactions, they are the best on the internet because you take the time to go back in the parts that get your attention, you go to the detail, you attract the harmonizations and in that freddy was the king, or the queen. greetings from Argentina
I agree... being a Queen fan your reactions have been great. I saw Queen live in Aug 1980 and that was the highlight of my life. Freddie was an amazing entertainer. He was so nervous meeting this lady that he had the bathrooms redone just incase she would have to go in there. When he died she attended his funeral they became great friends.
Just more proof that if Freddie hadn't become a rock star, he would've been the consummate musical stage actor. He definitely had the dramatic flair and poise, no question about the voice and his skill for projecting it over many instruments and he absolutely LOVED wardrobe and costume changes. The only thing that would've gotten to him most likely would've been doing the same act night after night if the production was long-running. His director would've had to be a fellow bohemian with lots of patience and understanding, but it definitely could've worked. Freddie was one of a kind....A King of Queens, so to speak. Miss him dreadfully, and so does the music world. I loved your reaction to this performance, TraENT! You have some vocal prowess of your own, it's obvious. You also have a fantastic ear and judgement for what talent really is. You've earned another sub here, my friend. Glad to join you. :)
superb performance of both... just tell me who is the rock singer or pop singer that even in nowdays can sing with a opera singer ?? who has the balls to do that.. freddy was/is the best of the best.. and these is the perfect example of that. very nice reaction .. now you can really aprreciate queen.
This was performed for 1988 Olympics in Barcelona. What an amazing pairing! Montserrat had the most beautiful tone supported by amazing breath control - among the most impressive ever. Her autobiography was riveting to read. In it, this entire project was recounted with much love and appreciation. She and Freddie were the best of friends and they appreciated one another tremendously. She was extremely saddened by his passing and that she could not go and visit him because she had been under treatment for cancer herself and was not allowed and too weak to travel. Another great opus written by Freddie. RIP Two Great Ones.
Sending my love for Christmas and also for one of the few people who really hears and appreciates what Montserrat was contributing just as much as the great Freddie. :D What a great performance by them both and thank goodness we have it recorded - it can be an eternal Christmas present to all of us.
Many years ago I visited Barcelona and watched an evening screening of this performance at an outside venue. It was very hot and hundreds of people were there. Grand finale with fireworks, it was incredible. One of those memories I'll never forget. What an amazing vocal duo.
Loved this video. I'm spanish and I felt so delighted by your reaction! This song always gives me chills. They both admired each other and had a great relationship. That's what happens when 2 great singers understand, admire and connect with each other. Magic happens.
Her style of singing is known as "bel canto" and she is regarded as one of the best bel canto singers ever. She was a fine singer, and a wonderful lady. Freddie loved her.
I've been waiting on someone to do a reaction to this song. Thank you for doing so. Your overwhelming appreciation of, and excitement due to the performance was a joy to watch. You earned a follower off this.
That first note she sings when people don't expect it...classic! You said "Goosebumps that sounds good!" and I thought, just you wait... Every time Freddie hits that note in "Away" he takes MY breath away! I wish I could have seen Queen in concert live just once. It looks like Freddie was about to go full showman at times but had to hold back. I love this SO much! It still brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. EVERY TIME I hear it. Beautiful! Just three years later the world lost Freddie forever. RIP Freddie and Montserrat. You are missed.
One Of Freddies greatest songs and performed superbly by him and Montserrat Caballe. Freddie sang well for someone who was not classically trained vocally and was a musician (just a pianist as a child and in his first band the hectics) before becoming a singer. R.I.P. to both artists. Glad they did this enduring collaboration.
Sadly, they have met again since she passed last week. 😭 💔 RIP to both!! 😙 Great reaction. How anyone could thumbs down this is beyond me. It's perfection!!
Yes, Montserrat Caballé was a great and stupendous operatic voice. I listen to this particular album over and over again........listen to the entire album. You will be blown away. Take care, Kate, theflutterby🦋 from Seattle💕🌈
3 года назад
This was recorded at Avinguda Maria Cristina in Barcelona, near the Olympic stadium. I was there... will never forget it... I still cry every time I hear this!
how can i go on... i always tear up (like in many songs which freddie sings) listening to it. this is my mom's favorite album of all time, freddie and opera, case closed ^.^
+Liz Magu the 1st english language song that i can remember when i was still little was a kind of magic from around 86/87. my dad was a big fan since the 70s. after freddie died the whole family became obssessed with queen, even my grandma. and i manage to hhok many of my classmates and teachers as well :) yeah, so much memories
I just loved your reaction! Just to further demonstrate Freddie's amazing vocal range, when he delivered the demo tape to Montserrat he sang her soprano part as well! The other rock-opera they did together which I totally love is "The Golden Boy" - I would love to see your reaction to that!
Tra, your reaction took MY breath away. I am so impressed at your appreciation for this collaboration. He admired her SOOOO much & when the feeling became mutual? This magic happened. I hope they're leading the choir of angels. (There is an actual video for this song, BTW.) You've got a new fan. 👍
Montserrat is the greatest opera singer of all time, for me! The volume control, the staccato, the harmonies, the runs,,,, amazing!!! Freddie is Freddie; absolutely the best!
I didn't know she had passed either. I discovered her through the Opera Album Freddie wrote most of. I have listened to this "many" times and I still got Chills just now!!! She and Freddie are/were Sensational!!!
This was from 1988 so 30 years later they've finally been reunited. I bet they're already working on a new project. RIP. Wow her full name was Maria de Montserrat Viviana Concepción Caballé i Folch.
It was written for the Olympics when Barcelona hosted the games. Caballe' was one of my favorite opera singer and Freddie Mercury and Queen of of my favorite bands. The was a vocal match made in heaven.
I need to put all of my comments in one comments. Freddie would be 73 now. He was born 1 month before me. He was born on September 5, 1946 and I was born on October 28, 1946. He and Montserrat ‘KILT’ that entire Barcelona album. The Fallen Priest is another fantastic duet. In fact the entire album is fantastic. Kate🦋🦋
Montserrat Caballet es la mejor cantante de ópera que ha tenido España,ella es Catalana y murió hace un mes que pena,Montserrat nunca te olvidaremos,descansa en paz.
Oh, man, I didn't even know that Montserrat had died and it happened two days ago. She was one of the true greats. Damn! Well she had a pretty long run; she was 85. What a great voice she had. I wish I had learned of her and appreciated her sooner.
i was really sad and i'm still in tears. i had the chance to meet her back in time. never saw another woman so lovely, full of joy and always laughing. still rings in my ears ... :-(
Freddie wrote this song, so when they recorded this he made a demo for Montserrat so she knew how her parts went. That means Freddie would sing her parts in the studio as well as his own. That just shows how amazing his vocal abilities were. Also they remained very close friends until he died. Montserrat was actually one of very few people outside the band who knew that Freddie had Aids.
I just bought the CD of the Barcelona songs, and it is MAGNIFICENT! There are two other songs from it here on RU-vid. The whole CD should be listened to on a really good set of headphones, lying back comfortably and closing your eyes. I promise you won't fall asleep. The CD includes both singing partly in Japanese in one song, and fully in Spanish by both in another. The music is GLORIOUS, and especially for you who appreciates opera.
Ms. Caballe hit a note at the end that could almost only be heard by dogs. ;) BRAVO!!!!! @TraENT - I've always loved opera as well. Thank you for this video.
She loved Freddie soooo much. Written all over her face. A mutual love affair of music. ❤. He trusted her so much, she was one of the few that he confided to that he had Aids. She loved him more for that. Also song used as the official song for the Olympics held in Barcelona. Unfortunately. Freddie was no longer with us. But listening and enjoying from above. RIP to both of them. 🙏❤️. Ps- love when he uses his natural lower range.
I think you should listen to the whole album for yourself at some point. Arguably, it's one of those duets that broke some barriers for the music - they brought two different worlds together. Moreover, this project was around the time Freddie got to know about his terminal illness which resulted in putting his whole heart into it. In this context, songs like 'Guide Me Home' / 'How Can I Go On' put on very special meaning for him and listeners.
Not only did you keep rewinding but you played it twice with rewinds! That's a true genuine love and appreciation for a masterpiece! You won me over for loving this masterpiece! I'm smashing the subscribe button even though you created to this almost a year ago. Thank you so much for sharing the love!
LOVED your review just loved it ! the fact that you kept pausing and rewinding a favourite piece was magical ! Thank you and well done !!Excellent review !!
Loved your reaction 😊👍 Especially that you had to go back and listen again and again. You are truly listening. Bought this album when it was released ❤
