What was Montserrat Caballé's Net Worth?
Montserrat Caballé was a Spanish operatic soprano who had a net worth of $30 million at the time of her death in October 2018 at the age of 85. With her breathtaking voice and commanding stage presence, Caballé is remembered as one of the greatest sopranos of the 20th century. Her extensive repertoire, encompassing over fifty operas, included roles from both the Italian and German traditions. However, she is perhaps best known for her performance of "Barcelona," a duet with Freddie Mercury that became an iconic anthem for the 1992 Olympic Games.
Early Life and Education
Maria de Montserrat Viviana Concepción Caballé i Folch (better known as Montserrat Caballé) was born April 12, 1933 in Barcelona, Spain. Named for the famous Catalan monastery of Montserrat, it is said that her parents feared they would lose her at birth and vowed that if she were born alive and well they would christen her with the monastery's name. She learned to sing at her convent school and at the age of eight entered the She steadily gained a European reputation, eventually taking on such diverse roles as Violetta (La Traviata), Tatiana (Yevgeny Onegin), Dvorák's Armida and Rusalka and Marie in Berg's Wozzeck. She debuted at La Scala in 1960 as a Flower Maiden in Parsifal.
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Success
In April 20, 1965, she substituted for the indisposed Marilyn Horne in a concert performance in Donizetti's Lucrezia Borgia, achieving a thunderous success and seemingly overnight super-stardom and went on to become one of the leading figures in the revival of interest in the bel canto operas of Bellini and Donizetti, many of which were staged especially for her. Caballé's performances as Elizabeth I (Roberto Devereaux) and that monarch's rival Mary Queen of Scots (Maria Stuarda) are considered legendary.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Caballé enjoyed a busy and successful career, regularly performing at the world's leading opera houses, including La Scala in Milan, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the Royal Opera House in London.
Her unique collaboration with Queen's lead vocalist, Freddie Mercury, resulted in the unforgettable song "Barcelona." Initially released in 1987, the song gained worldwide fame when it was used as the anthem for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Awards and Honors
Throughout her career, Caballé received numerous awards and recognitions, both for her musical contributions and humanitarian efforts. In 1966, she received the Cross of Isabella the Catholic for her contribution to Spanish music. She was also awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts in 1991, and the UNESCO Mozart Medal in 2003.
Legacy and Contributions
Despite struggling with health issues in her later years, Caballé continued to perform until the early 2000s, making occasional appearances thereafter. Beyond her performances, Caballé played a crucial role in nurturing young talent. In 1991, she established the Montserrat Caballé International Singing Competition to support emerging artists.
Caballé passed away in Barcelona in 2018, leaving an enduring legacy in the world of opera. Her passionate performances, dedication to nurturing young talent, and her unforgettable collaboration with Freddie Mercury have all ensured her a lasting place in the annals of music history.
