Montserrat Caballé

Mara de Montserrat Bibiana was a Spanish operatic singer who died on October 6, 2018. She performed a broad range of parts but is most recognized for her interpretations of Verdi and the bel canto repertoire, particularly the works of Rossini, Bellini, and Donizetti. When she stepped in for a performance of Donizetti's Lucrezia Borgia at Carnegie Hall in 1965, she gained international attention, and she went on to perform at major opera houses. Her voice has been described as clean but forceful, with excellent control of vocal shadings and delicate pianissimo.

Caballé first gained popularity among non-classical music fans in 1987, when she recorded "Barcelona," a duet with Freddie Mercury that became the official theme song for the 1992 Olympic Games at the request of the International Olympic Committee. She garnered several international honors as well as Grammy nominations for a number of her albums.

Awards:

• Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Solo (Wins: 1969)
• Grammy Awards (Nominations: 1)
• Primetime Emmy Award (Nominations: 2)