Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballe who sang with Freddie Mercury on hit single Barcelona from 1992 Olympics dies aged 85

  • Montserrat Caballe passed away at Sant Pau Hospital in the Catalan capital 
  • She sung the hit single which featured in the Barcelona Olympics of 1992 
  • The famous song reached number 2 in the UK, the Netherlands and New Zealand

The Spanish opera singer whose song with Freddie Mercury became the featured single of the Barcelona Olympics has passed away.

Montserrat Caballe passed away at the Sant Pau Hospital in the Catalan capital, aged 85.

The operatic soprano’s song entitled 'Barcelona' with Freddie Mercury was originally released in 1987. 

Montserrat Caballe passed away at the Sant Pau Hospital in the Catalan capital, aged 85

Montserrat Caballe passed away at the Sant Pau Hospital in the Catalan capital, aged 85

After his passing in 1991, it was featured in the 1992 Summer Olympics and number 2 in the UK, the Netherlands and New Zealand.  

Caballe sang at the opening ceremony of the Barcelona Olympics with Domingo and José Carreras.

Caballe had been suffering from ill health for a number of years and had suffered a stroke back in 2012. 

In 2015, she was excused from attending a tax fraud trial in Barcelona because of poor health and appeared at a court hearing via video link.

She was ordered to pay €254,000 and accepted a six-month suspended jail sentence as part of a deal with prosectors.

She was accused of funnelling her earnings through a company in Andorra despite living in Barcelona.

Caballe's 50 year career saw her tour throughout the world and was she previously hailed as one of the world's greatest ever voices. Pictured: Caballe performs during a concert at Burgos' Cathedral, northern Spain, February 16, 2007

Caballe's 50 year career saw her tour throughout the world and was she previously hailed as one of the world's greatest ever voices. Pictured: Caballe performs during a concert at Burgos' Cathedral, northern Spain, February 16, 2007

Ms Caballe, pictured arriving with Freddie Mercury at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1988

Ms Caballe, pictured arriving with Freddie Mercury at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1988

Caballe's 50 year career saw her tour throughout the world and was she previously hailed as one of the world's greatest ever voices.

She achieved international acclaim in 1965 when she stepped in for another singer in the role of  Lucrezia Borgia in Donizetti’s opera in New York.

Her performance that night catapulted her the world stardom throughout the opera scene.

She had two children with Spanish tenor Bernabe Marti who she married in 1964.

Her funeral is due to take place on Monday.  

Ms Caballe, pictured right, with Marilyn Horne at the Royal Opera of Versailles Palace in May 1985. Ms Caballe was renowned for her bel canto technique 

Ms Caballe, pictured right, with Marilyn Horne at the Royal Opera of Versailles Palace in May 1985. Ms Caballe was renowned for her bel canto technique 

Ms Caballe, pictured here on her 50th anniversary on stage in Basel in November 2016. She was well known for her interpretations of the roles of Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti

Ms Caballe, pictured here on her 50th anniversary on stage in Basel in November 2016. She was well known for her interpretations of the roles of Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti

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