History of Montserrat Caballé in Timeline

María de Montserrat Bibiana Concepción Caballé i Folch, commonly known as Montserrat Caballé, was a renowned Spanish operatic soprano from Catalonia. Celebrated as one of the finest sopranos of the 20th century, Caballé enjoyed a prolific six-decade career during which she won numerous musical awards, including three Grammy Awards.

1928: Birth of Bernabé Martí

Bernabé Martí, Caballé's future husband, was born in 1928.

April 1933: Birth of Montserrat Caballé

Montserrat Caballé was born in Barcelona, Spain in April 1933.

1954: Graduation from Liceu Conservatory

Montserrat Caballé graduated with a gold medal from the Liceu Conservatory in 1954.

1956: Professional Debut in "La bohème"

Montserrat Caballé made her professional debut in 1956, performing as Mimì in Puccini's "La bohème" in Basel, Switzerland.

1957: Joining Basel Opera Company

Montserrat Caballé joined the Basel Opera company in 1957.

1959: Performance in "Die Zauberflöte" and "Salome"

In 1959, Montserrat Caballé performed as Erste Dame in Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte" and as Salome in Strauss's opera.

1961: Performance in "Iphigénie en Tauride"

Montserrat Caballé starred as Iphigénie in Gluck's "Iphigénie en Tauride" at the National Theatre of S. Carlos in Lisbon in 1961.

1962: Debut at the Liceu and Mexico Tour

Montserrat Caballé debuted at the Liceu in Barcelona in 1962, performing the title role in Strauss's "Arabella". She then embarked on a tour of Mexico.

1962: Engagement with Bremen Opera

Montserrat Caballé's time at the Bremen Opera came to an end in 1962.

1963: Performance in "Manon" and Liceu Appearances

Montserrat Caballé sang the title role in Massenet's "Manon" at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico in 1963. This was followed by successful appearances at the Liceu in Barcelona.

August 1964: Marriage to Bernabé Martí

Caballé married Spanish tenor Bernabé Martí on August 1964 at Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey.

December 1965: Performance in "Roberto Devereux" and Metropolitan Opera Debut

Montserrat Caballé returned to Carnegie Hall in December 1965 to sing the role of Queen Elizabeth I in Donizetti's "Roberto Devereux". That same month, she debuted at the Metropolitan Opera as Marguerite in Gounod's "Faust".

1965: Glyndebourne Festival Debut and "Der Rosenkavalier"

In 1965, Montserrat Caballé debuted at the Glyndebourne Festival, singing her first Marschallin in Richard Strauss' "Der Rosenkavalier" and performing the role of Countess Almaviva in Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro".

1965: International Breakthrough at Carnegie Hall

Montserrat Caballé rose to international fame in 1965 after her performance of Donizetti's Lucrezia Borgia at Carnegie Hall, New York, where she received a standing ovation.

1966: Debut with Philadelphia Lyric Opera and Italian Debut

Montserrat Caballé made her first appearance with the Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company as Maddalena di Coigny in Giordano's "Andrea Chénier" and debuted in Italy at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino as Leonora in Verdi's "Il trovatore" in 1966.

1967: Performance in "Il pirata" and Verdi Roles

In 1967, Montserrat Caballé performed in Bellini's "Il pirata" in Florence and returned to Philadelphia to sing the title roles in Puccini's "Tosca" and "Madama Butterfly". She also performed various Verdi roles at the Met.

1968: Return to Philadelphia for "Il pirata" and "Lucrezia Borgia"

Montserrat Caballé returned to Philadelphia in 1968 and 1969 to perform in Bellini's "Il pirata" and "Lucrezia Borgia".

1969: Performance in "Don Carlo" and Teatro Corallo Recital

Montserrat Caballé appeared in a production of Verdi's "Don Carlo" at the Arena di Verona and gave a recital at the Teatro Corallo in Verona in 1969.

1969: Performance in "Turandot" and "Luisa Miller"

Montserrat Caballé performed as Liù in Puccini's "Turandot" at the Met and in the title role of Verdi's "Luisa Miller" in 1969.

1970: La Scala Debut and "Un ballo in maschera"

Montserrat Caballé debuted at La Scala in the title role of "Lucrezia Borgia" and performed as Amelia in Verdi's "Un ballo in maschera" at the Met in 1970.

1972: Recording Bellini's "Norma"

Caballé recorded the title role in Bellini's "Norma" for RCA Red Seal in 1972, featuring Plácido Domingo as Pollione.

1972: Covent Garden and Lyric Opera of Chicago Debuts

Montserrat Caballé made her debut with both Covent Garden and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, performing as Violetta in "La traviata", in 1972. That same year, she returned to the Met as Elisabetta in "Don Carlo" and sang the title role of Bellini's "Norma" in Philadelphia.

1973: Performance in "Maria Stuarda" and "Norma"

Montserrat Caballé performed the title role in Donizetti's "Maria Stuarda" in Chicago and Bellini's "Norma" at the Met in 1973.

September 1974: Surgery and Recovery

In September 1974, Montserrat Caballé underwent major surgery and returned to the stage in 1975.

1975: Return to Stage After Surgery

Montserrat Caballé resumed performing onstage in 1975 after recovering from surgery.

1976: Performances in "Norma", "Aida", "Ariadne auf Naxos", and "La bohème"

Montserrat Caballé performed various roles at the Met in 1976, including Norma in "Norma", Aida in "Aida", the title role in "Ariadne auf Naxos", and Mimì in "La bohème".

1977: Debut with the San Francisco Opera

Montserrat Caballé debuted with the San Francisco Opera in 1977, singing the title role in Puccini's "Turandot".

1978: Dramatic Roles and Collaborations

Caballé embraced more dramatically expressive singing, performing as Tosca in San Francisco with Pavarotti, Norma in Madrid, and Adriana Lecouvreur at the Met with José Carreras in 1978.

1980: Notable Tosca Performances

Caballé continued her success with the role of Tosca at the Met in 1980.

1981: Concert Performances

In addition to her operatic roles, Caballé gave concert performances in 1981.

1983: Continued Concert Success

Caballé continued to perform in concerts, showcasing her versatility as an artist, in 1983.

1984: Recording "Norma" as Adalgisa

In 1984, Caballé recorded the role of Adalgisa in Bellini's "Norma" with Joan Sutherland as Norma for Decca, conducted by Richard Bonynge.

October 1985: Final Performances at the Met

In October 1985, Caballé gave her final performances at the Metropolitan Opera as Tosca alongside Pavarotti and Cornell MacNeil.

1986: Film Debut in "Romanza final"

Caballé took on a role in the biographical film "Romanza final," directed by José María Forqué, in 1986.

1987: Collaboration with Freddie Mercury

Caballé ventured into pop music, releasing the duet "Barcelona" with Freddie Mercury of Queen in 1987, inspired by her home city.

1991: Posthumous Performance of "Barcelona"

Following Freddie Mercury's death in 1991, Caballé performed "Barcelona" live with his recording at the 1999 UEFA Champions League final.

1992: "Barcelona" as Olympic Anthem

"Barcelona" became an official theme song for the 1992 Olympic Games, hosted in Caballé's native city.

1992: "Barcelona" for the Olympics

"Barcelona", the duet by Montserrat Caballé and Freddie Mercury, was chosen by the International Olympic Committee for the 1992 Olympic Games.

1994: Recognition as a True Diva

Fiammetta Rocco, writing for The Independent in 1994, recognized Caballé as "one of the last of the true divas" in the opera world.

1995: Collaboration with Vangelis

Caballé collaborated with composer Vangelis on his album "El Greco" in 1995, a tribute to the Greek painter.

1997: "Friends For Life" Album Release

The album "Friends For Life," produced by Mike Moran and featuring duets with various artists, including Caballé, was released in 1997.

1999: Champions League Final Performance

Caballé performed "Barcelona" with a recording of Freddie Mercury at the 1999 UEFA Champions League final in Barcelona.

2002: Performance as Catherine of Aragon

Caballé appeared as Catherine of Aragon in Saint-Saëns' "Henri VIII" at the Liceu in 2002.

2003: Documentary Film and Charitable Work

Caballé starred in her documentary, "Caballé: Beyond Music," featuring prominent opera singers, in 2003. She was also a dedicated philanthropist, serving as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and founding a foundation for children in need in Barcelona.

2003: Gramophone Feature

Patrick O'Connor wrote about Montserrat Caballé in Gramophone in 2003.

2004: Performance in "Cléopâtre"

She took on the title role in Massenet's "Cléopâtre" at the Liceu in 2004.

April 2007: Performance in "La fille du régiment"

Caballé performed as The Duchess of Crakenthorp in Donizetti's "La fille du régiment" at the Vienna State Opera in April 2007.

2010: Tax Residency in Andorra

Caballé registered as a resident of Andorra in 2010, despite living in Spain, to avoid paying taxes in Spain.

October 2012: Stroke During Russian Tour

Caballé suffered a stroke in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in October 2012 and was hospitalized in Barcelona.

June 2013: Declared Persona Non Grata in Azerbaijan

Caballé was declared persona non grata in Azerbaijan in June 2013 after visiting Nagorno-Karabakh and meeting with its leaders, despite warnings from the Azerbaijani embassy in Spain.

December 2015: Tax Evasion Conviction

A Spanish court found Caballé guilty of tax fraud in December 2015. She received a six-month suspended jail sentence, a fine of €254,231, and an 18-month ban from public subsidies. She had registered in Andorra to avoid Spanish taxes in 2010.

September 2018: Hospitalization for Gallbladder Issue

Caballé was hospitalized for a gallbladder problem in September 2018.

October 2018: Death and Tributes

Montserrat Caballé died on October 6, 2018, at 85 in Barcelona. The cause of death was not disclosed. King Felipe VI of Spain hailed her as "the best of the best," and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recognized her as a great ambassador for Spain. She was laid to rest in Barcelona's Cementiri de Sant Andreu.