In the pantheon of vocal duets, few pairings have seemed as unlikely—or have yielded as breathtaking a result—as the collaboration between Queen’s flamboyant rock frontman, Freddie Mercury, and the prima donna of opera, Montserrat Caballé. When they entered the studio in 1987, they created "Barcelona," a track that defied genre, language, and expectation. But for decades, fans had to contend with a single, polished, yet slightly sanitized version of their masterpiece.
If you want a different tone (more formal, more salesy, or longer product description), tell me which and I’ll adapt it. In the pantheon of vocal duets, few pairings
. This transition from "synth-pop opera" to a genuine symphonic work creates a much more timeless and grand atmosphere that better suits Caballé’s operatic power. Live Instrumentation If you want a different tone (more formal,
The 2012 Special Edition, released to coincide with what would have been Mercury’s 66th birthday and the 25th anniversary of the original sessions, was not a mere re-release. It was a painstaking act of musical archaeology and respect. Producer Stuart Morley and sound engineer Joshua J. Macrae (who worked with Queen for decades) returned to the original multi-track master tapes. Live Instrumentation The 2012 Special Edition, released to
Beyond the strings, the album features live percussion by Rufus Taylor (son of Queen's Roger Taylor) and a guest violin solo by David Garrett on "How Can I Go On".
