When Did Freddie Mercury Perform Barcelona?

By Robert Palmer

The Collaboration of Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé

If you’re a fan of the legendary Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, you may have heard of his collaboration with one of the most famous opera singers, Montserrat Caballé. The two artists created a masterpiece in the form of the album ‘Barcelona’ which was released on 10th October 1988. The album featured ten tracks, all written by Freddie Mercury himself and produced by Mike Moran.

The Title Track: Barcelona

The title track ‘Barcelona’ was not only the opening track but also became one of the most popular songs from the album. It showcased the unique combination of two different genres – rock and opera.

The song’s composition was inspired by Spain and its vibrant city, Barcelona. It was an ode to the city’s culture, architecture, art, and history.

The Performance at La Nit

After the release of their album ‘Barcelona,’ Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé performed together for the first time at La Nit festival on 8th October 1988 in front of a massive crowd of over 300,000 people. This concert took place just two days before the official release date of their album.

Freddie Mercury’s Last Live Performance

The second live performance took place on 29th May 1987 at Ku Club in Ibiza where Freddie sang three tracks from his upcoming album ‘Barcelona.’ However, this performance wasn’t as grand as their performance at La Nit.

Sadly, this was also Freddie Mercury’s last live performance as he passed away due to AIDS-related complications on November 24th, 1991.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé resulted in one of the most iconic albums of all time, ‘Barcelona.’ The title track was a tribute to the city that inspired it and showcased a perfect blend of rock and opera.

Freddie’s performances with Montserrat Caballé were nothing short of magical, leaving fans with unforgettable memories. While he may be gone, his music and performances continue to inspire generations of fans around the world.