Although best known for her bel canto roles, Caballé eventually sang over eighty operatic roles, from baroque opera to Verdi, Wagner, and Puccini, including the Marschallin in Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier and the title role in Salome.
Caballé is also a noted recitalist, particularly of songs of her native Spain.
Her voice is noted for its purity, precise control, and power. She is admired less for her dramatic instincts and acting skills than for her superb technique, vocal shadings, and exquisite pianissimos.
The result of one of her brief excursions to the world of pop music, Caballé's duet with rock singer Freddie Mercury, Barcelona , was a hit single in 1987, accompanied by an album of the same name. The title track later became the anthem of the 1992 Summer Olympics which was hosted by the city, and appeared again in the pop music charts throughout Europe. Caballé also performed the song live, accompanied by a recording of the deceased Mercury, before the 1999 UEFA Champions League football final in Barcelona's Nou Camp stadium.
Caballé has dedicated herself to various charities. She is a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and she has established a foundation for needy children in Barcelona.
Caballé does not appear to have retired from the stage. She continues to assume new roles: in 2002, Catherine of Aragon in Saint-Saëns' Henri VIII; in 2004, the title role in Massenet's Cléopâtre, both at the Liceu. At the age of 73 (2006), she still maintains a busy schedule of recitals and concerts, mainly in Germany. And she is due to appear as The Duchess of Crackentorp in La fille du régiment at the Vienna State Opera in 2007.
Barcelona
Montserrat Caballé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Un sueño me envolvió
This dream was me and you
Tal vez estás aquí
I want all the world to see
Un instinto me guiaba
A miracle sensation
My guide and inspiration
The wind is a gentle breeze
Él me habló de ti
The bells are ringing out
El canto vuela
They're calling us together
Guiding us forever
Wish my dream would never go away
Barcelona it was the first time that we met
Barcelona how can I forget
The moment that you stepped into the room you took my breath away
Barcelona la musica vibró
Barcelona Y ella nos unió
And if God willing we will meet again, someday
Let the songs begin
Déjalo nacer
Let the music play
Ah
Make the voices sing
Nace un gran amor
Start the celebration
Ven a mi
And cry
Grita
Come alive
Vive
And shake the foundations from the skies
Ah, Ah, Shaking all our lives
Barcelona such a beautiful horizon
Barcelona like a jewel in the sun
Por ti seré gaviota de tu bella mar
Barcelona suenan las campanas
Barcelona abre tus puertas al mundo
If God is willing
If God is willing
If God is willing
Friends until the end
Viva, Barcelona
The song Barcelona by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé is a breathtaking tribute to the city that captured their hearts. The song begins with Freddie's narrating his perfect dream that involves him and his muse, Montserrat, always with him. He explains that it is an instinct that guides him to the miracle sensation, which is his guide and inspiration, and slowly, his dream is coming true. The lyrics talk about the gentle breeze of the wind, the ringing bells that unite them forever, and his wish that his dream would never go away. The chorus is all about their first meeting and how Montserrat took Freddie's breath away. The song is an invitation to let the music play, let the songs begin, and start a grand celebration, where they cry, grita, and shake the foundations from the skies.
Line by Line Meaning
I had this perfect dream
I had a dream that was perfect
Un sueño me envolvió
A dream enveloped me
This dream was me and you
This dream was about you and me
Tal vez estás aquí
Maybe you're here
I want all the world to see
I want everyone to see
Un instinto me guiaba
An instinct guided me
A miracle sensation
A miraculous feeling
My guide and inspiration
You are my guide and my inspiration
Now my dream is slowly coming true
Now my dream is slowly becoming a reality
The wind is a gentle breeze
The wind is softly blowing
Él me habló de ti
It spoke to me about you
The bells are ringing out
The bells are ringing loudly
El canto vuela
The song soars
They're calling us together
They're calling us to come together
Guiding us forever
Guiding us for eternity
Wish my dream would never go away
I wish my dream would never fade
Barcelona it was the first time that we met
Barcelona was where we first met
Barcelona how can I forget
Barcelona, how can I ever forget?
The moment that you stepped into the room you took my breath away
When you stepped into the room, you took my breath away
Barcelona la musica vibró
In Barcelona, the music vibrated
Barcelona Y ella nos unió
In Barcelona, it brought us together
And if God willing we will meet again, someday
If it's God's will, we will meet again someday
Let the songs begin
Let the songs start
Déjalo nacer
Let it be born
Let the music play
Let the music keep playing
Ah
Make the voices sing
Make the voices sing out loud
Nace un gran amor
A great love is born
Start the celebration
Start the celebration
Ven a mi
Come to me
And cry
And cry
Grita
Scream
Come alive
Come alive
Vive
Live
And shake the foundations from the skies
And shake the foundations from the heavens
Ah, Ah, Shaking all our lives
Barcelona such a beautiful horizon
Barcelona has such a beautiful view
Barcelona like a jewel in the sun
Barcelona is like a jewel shining in the sun
Por ti seré gaviota de tu bella mar
For you, I will be a seagull in your beautiful sea
Barcelona suenan las campanas
In Barcelona, the bells are ringing
Barcelona abre tus puertas al mundo
Barcelona, open your doors to the world
If God is willing
If it's God's will
Friends until the end
Friends until the very end
Viva, Barcelona
Long live Barcelona
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Freddie Mercury, Mike Moran
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lizlizchristian
You can see on Montserrat's face how much she is enjoying singing with Freddie ❤they are singing like two angels together
@michaelhurley457
He tried for years to put this tune together with her it's a mix masterpiece
@mustaphatarmant9868
Barcelona n.™®🧭©™; iov🇦🇩🇻🇦✌️Ⓜ️🌼🕺🇮🇹❤️👭🔞🇿🇦🐾🇪🇺🏨🏟️⚖️🔝✈️🌃💃🩸👍🎗️🌶️😛🍕🇲🇦🇮🇩🐂🚴💏🏎️🤬
@miroslavshatan3854
But he didnt look very often to her eyes…. Anyway amazing 😍👌
@sil1378
No puedo evitar emocionarme con esta obra de arte, a parte no solo admiro a estos increíbles artistas si no como catalana que soy esta canción me toca de lleno. ❤
@craigbray6285
I get goosebumps whenever I hear this timeless classic.
@bruces6347
Freddie said she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, I agree.
@louiseturner9811
So do I. RIP to both of them.🙏😓🙏
@stanafratrik6650
Two Queens, Two Divas... What a duet!
One of the most memorable moments in music/theatre history.
@perryrush6563
Underrated comment. I appreciate the creativity.