Freddie Mercury: And Montserrat Caballe Barcelona Special Edition 2012 Better [hot]
Their work culminated in the 1988 collaborative album , Mercury's second and final solo record. It was an audacious attempt that, for all its brilliance, received a mixed reception upon release. AllMusic's review captured the album's fundamental dichotomy: "it's a difficult record to recommend. Most fans of opera will probably find it far too simplistic and pop-based, while many rock fans are sure to find the record too classical". The soaring title track "Barcelona" was a masterpiece, and the Eastern-influenced "La Japonaise" was "startling in its beauty". Yet, the album's second half, with Caballé on more pop-oriented tracks like "Guide Me Home" and "How Can I Go On," was less successful, with her voice sounding "awkward" in those settings.
The seeds of the collaboration between Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé were sown in 1987, when Mercury, who was known for his eclectic taste in music, approached Caballé with a proposal to record a song together. Caballé, a highly acclaimed soprano with a voice that could melt the coldest of hearts, was initially hesitant, but eventually, she agreed to work with Mercury.
(Essential for fans; a significant upgrade over the original)
: This rare track features Montserrat singing a beautiful melody without lyrics, mimicking an exercise Freddie originally recorded. The orchestral backing turns it into a breathtaking, standalone classical aria. Bonus Material and Audio Engineering Their work culminated in the 1988 collaborative album
: The original vocal performances by Mercury and Caballé remain the focus, and John Deacon’s original bass guitar parts were kept for "How Can I Go On". Version Comparison & Availability 1988 Original 2012 Special Edition Instrumentation Synthesizers & Samplers 80-piece Symphony Orchestra Drums Drum Machines Live (Rufus Taylor) Sound Quality 80s "Electronic" feel Rich, "Natural" symphonic sound Bonus Tracks Standard Tracklist Demos, alternative takes, and rarities
For the 25th anniversary in 2012, the album was "reworked" from the ground up. It wasn't simply a remaster; it was a full-blown remake with a singular mission: to replace the synthesized parts with a live, breathing symphonic orchestra. This monumental task was helmed by Stuart Morley, the musical director of the We Will Rock You musical.
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. Most fans of opera will probably find it
As noted on SuperDeluxeEdition , some releases included a rare, candid interview with Freddie conducted by Mary Turner, offering insight into his life and career at that time.
: Replacing the thin, dated 1980s keyboards with real violins, brass, and percussion gives the music a cinematic scale.
The 2012 Special Edition of Barcelona by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé is widely considered superior to the 1988 original because it replaced the synthesized keyboard tracks with a full, live symphonic orchestra. This structural overhaul fulfilled Freddie Mercury’s original dream of a truly grand, operatic pop fusion. The Evolution of a Masterpiece The seeds of the collaboration between Freddie Mercury
The centerpiece of this transformation is the 80-piece Prague FILMharmonic Orchestra, which brought a new level of depth and drama to every track. In addition to the sweeping strings and majestic brass, the 2012 special edition introduced other live elements for the first time, including authentic percussion, a koto on "La Japonaise," and even a violin solo from classical star David Garrett on "How Can I Go On".
The improvements weren't just limited to the music. The 2012 "Special Edition" was released in several formats, with the crown jewel being a massive 4-disc deluxe box set (3 CDs and 1 DVD). This set was a treasure trove for fans, offering a deep dive into the creation of the album. The box set included:
When Freddie Mercury and Spanish opera diva Montserrat Caballé collaborated in 1987, they weren't just making music; they were creating a new genre. The 1988 album Barcelona was a audacious blend of rock and opera, a testament to Mercury’s ambition to break musical barriers. Yet, for all its genius, the original album was limited by the technology and scheduling constraints of its time, relying heavily on synthesizers and programmed drums to create its symphonic scope.
The remastered vocals are crisp, clear, and more present than in the original mix.
