Caballé

Caballé is regal, and her final scene is a miracle of soft sweet inwardness.
The Naples years, 1815 to 1822, are at the very centre of Rossini's creative life. It is here that genius—''I had facility and lots of instinct''—was put to school. And firmly so: the serious masterpieces of the Naples years take as their subjects the Bible and Shakespeare, Scott and Racine, Tasso and English historical romance.

– Richard Osborne, Gramophone [12/1992]

The Naples years, 1815 to 1822, are at the very centre of Rossini's creative life. It is here that genius—''I had facility and lots of instinct''—was put to school. And firmly so: the serious masterpieces of the Naples years take as their subjects the Bible and Shakespeare, Scott and Racine, Tasso and English historical romance.

With Barcelona, Queen singer Freddie Mercury realized his long-lived dream of performing with an opera singer; in this case, Montserrat Caballe. While it's certainly a treat for any fan of Mercury's to hear this album, 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…

Barcelona is the second solo album recorded by Freddie Mercury, frontman of popular British rock band Queen, and operatic soprano Montserrat Caballé. Released in 1988. It is the second and final solo album recorded by Mercury…

As Turandots go, this is an eminently likable and satisfying rendition. It is certainly a recording that is buoyed by the expert performances of the singers, all of whom are perfectly cast and who rise to the occasion to pull off Puccini's most difficult and most intoxicating opera.Of course, there is no opera without the ice princess herself, and I greatly enjoyed Montserrat Caballe's performance

Gemma di Vergy was one of Donizetti's more popular serious operas but has long since disappeared from the active repertoire. The liner notes to this Opera d'Oro release of a live performance reveal why: the title role is fearsome in its vocal demands, requiring mastery of a huge range, power in high notes and flexibility in coloratura. Caballe herself is quoted as saying she found singing one performance of the role more difficult than singing three Normas.

I just received this DVD from Amazon and was very excited to watch it. Let me be clear…I am a die-hard fan of Montserrat Caballe (LA SUPERBA). I had the great pleasure of seeing her live every time she appeared at the Met in New York City…many, many thrilling performances. She does not fail us here in "Don Carlo". She has a great cast with her..Grace Bumbry (as the great mezzo she was before she made that transition to soprano in the 1970's), Giacomo Aragall, Renato Bruson, Simon Estes and Luigi Roni. The production is from the Theatre Antigue d'Orange in 1984. The Director is Jean-Claude Auvray and the Conductor is Thomas Fulton…both have done an excellent job…

By Anthony Rossi (Florida)

Cristobal Colon (1984-1986) is the first of Spanish-American composer Leonardo Balada's two operas based on the life of the explorer. (The second, La Muerte de Colon [1992-1993], is also available on the Naxos label.) The recording of the first work comes from its premiere production in 1989 at Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, and boasts two international superstars, Jose Carreras and Montserrat Caballe, in the leading roles of Columbus and Queen Isabella.