Montserrat Caballé becomes famous overnight replacing Marilyn Horne

Highlighted comments from the commenters below:
-John Mitchell:
In the mid 60's Marilyn Horne toyed with the idea of once again singing some soprano roles - she started as a soprano singing roles like Mimi and Marie in Wozzek. She felt Lucrezia was possible for her as the tessitura is not high. But she had to cancel because of a difficult pregnancy. At that period there were very few sopranos singing this repertoire. Sutherland and Gencer were both busy, but one of the American Opera Society's members remembered hearing Caballé in Europe and recommended her.
-Kastrafior:
Quelle sublime ligne de chant ! Montserrat était à l'époque soprano-doublure à l'opéra de Bâle (Suisse). Elle travaillait aussi comme serveuse au buffet 2° classe de la gare de cette ville... Une femme merveilleuse, courageuse et généreuse. RESPECT !
Disclaimer - I own nothing

[@fredsharp7419]

Curse you, Lohengrin! I have virtually no sleep for he past three days, having been totally captivated by the range and quality of the singers that you have downloaded here. Seriously though, I cannot thank you enough for the many. many hours of pure joy that your downloads have given me. And will continue to give, since I spend at least an hour every day listening to and re-listening to the hundreds(?) of gems that you have collected and have shared with us. I do hope you have some idea of the gratitude that so many us have for your thoughtfulness, for your your taste and for your generosity.

[@LohengrinO]

kisses back to you Fred... I only post something if it is special

[@michellekempfsu]

Oh my gosh...can I second this comment! Bless you for all the posts. I and my students love them!

[@laj2240]

:) :)

[@garylysaght1579]

Fred Sharp this is utterly lovely. Thank you x

[@roblessusan19]

Me too! So many beautiful songs!! The newer singers I just can't get into them..

[@rogerdodger8349]

Can you imagine being there that night and hearing her for the first time? They must have been pinching themsleves to make sure they weren't dreaming.

[@bethfiori4708]

Have you heard her laugh in interviews? So beautiful and sweet. On top of all her accomplishments, she championed tenor Jose Carreras, hearing something special in his exquisite voice. What a wonderful lady and artist.

[@Snue29]

I'm usually the hard rock and metal person. But La Superba Montsy always brings tears my closed eyes, running down the cheeks while I'm smiling. This beautiful highest pitch floating in pianissimo gets me evey time 🥹🥲 Rest in peace my dear 🥰

[@daphnewilson7966]

Isn't that a funny thing, me too with the rock-n-opera?

[@phedrob3735]

You can hear the silence of the audience who dare not make a sound during this remarkable performance

[@laj2240]

No one like her . She holds you hostage with her voice and takes you to heaven and back. You are one with her voice. Thank you, and rest in peace and heavenly music, dear Montserrat.

[@PABLOGARCIA-gb5ih]

Callas + Tebaldi= CABALLÉ.... LA SUPERBA!!! Brava👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿😍😍😍😍🤗🤗🤗

[@divox9pqr]

Simply fabulous...The queen of the laser focused pianissimo that tugs at your heart, but there also is the potential for powerful declamatory expression...a rare vocal quality.

[@brendant19]

I am not a huge fan of soprano repertoire in general because I find it a little over the top and grating, but Caballe is very pleasant and sweet. She can definitely belt out a big dramatic phrase as well, but to me its the rest that sets her apart.

[@Melbnolan]

Three times I saw Caballe at Carnegie Hall....three times I was brought to tears.

[@lindanorris2455]

and I am JEALOUS!

[@debbiejohnson2789]

Oh Melbnolan, you were so lucky and smart to have been there. Thank you , Sir and God bless you !

[@mgbsecteacher]

It's heavenly. I was spiritually transformed from my boring existence in Minneapolis to the heights of ecstasy!

[@mariashouse5492]

Her voice is a fine balance between dramatic and lyrical.

[@reinadegrillos]

That divine sound, floating in the air like an arrow of pure beauty... Montse!

[@rosebud3971]

The thunderous applause must have sent Caballe into total ecstasy! Bravo!

[@evet1115]

Not really. She admitted not having understood it. She was that humble kind of person. Her greatness comes from the fact that she never let the fame broke her true soul, and also because she was a hard worker.

[@Rassendhyl100]

I can see why Caballé impressed everybody so much with this performance. Thank you for sharing.

[@dubbelhenke854]

Those divine pianissimos!

[@annaattanasio9263]

Semplicemente grandiosa Montserrat Caballé R.I.P Soprano assoluto migliore di tutti 👏👏👏👏

[@Bethi4WFH]

Pure magic 🌹🌹🌹

[@ericholck3914]

The octave jump at 6:05 is stunningly beautiful.

[@debbiejohnson2789]

That was unbelievable . Queen if the opera- Montserrat Caballé! Hands down. Absolutely!

[@kelliwhittaker7502]

Her voice commands your attention.

[@vale86301]

Stupenda Montserrat!!

[@samuelthiel1763]

There would appear to be 24 people haunting KZbin who hate music. You really have to feel sorry for them; how sad to hear something this beautiful and not like it! Anyone who has ever heard great singing live knows that the effect of live sound in a room or a hall can never be recreated by even the best loudspeakers. The sheer beauty of sound of her voice shines through even an older recording. What is not to like about this? If someone just doesn’t like classical music and classical singing - what are they doing on this page? At least the „thumbs down“ philistines are outnumbered by about 52 to 1. There is still hope!!

[@LohengrinO]

they dont hate, they just in that particular moment of their Operatic journey think that something is wrong here and maybe it is but they fail to see the OVERALL MAGIC

[@islandbirdw]

Can see why Freddie was FLOORED! Absolutely captured his heart and soul. The rest is history. Her voice was a rarity but was also started age 3 and properly trained at the best. She had amazing breath control and I think this is the key to her pure quality and astonishing range. Her voice seems to be floating in her breath and then she flutters........amazing. Thanks for sharing this.

[@MargotRecabarren]

Oh... you’re totally right, dear Simone !! Montserrat was sublime... Freddie and her dared to achieve an extraordinary, outstanding and outrageous musical adventure.... bonded two exceptional voices and styles: rock and ópera. Just them... they were the first..., no one before them.. and a lot of singers after them. Thanks to both of them we have BARCELONA!!

[@MargotRecabarren]

Oh... you’re totally right, dear Simone !! Montserrat was sublime... Freddie and her dared to achieve an extraordinary, outstanding and outrageous musical adventure.... bonded two exceptional voices and styles: rock and ópera. Just them... they were the first..., no one before them.. and a lot of singers after them. Thanks to both of them we have BARCELONA

[@lindanorris2455]

Freddie ADORED her. ADORED!!!

[@debbiejohnson2789]

@@MargotRecabarren honestly, this is not about Freddy.

[@pauliberg3492]

i agree with you FRED SHARP--- hours on end--- in heaven with the heavenly music.

[@chengducat]

This is a beautiful opera which I am lucky to have on CD with Caballe and Kraus

[@pauliberg3492]

amazing--- like an angel.

[@marioparisi2533]

Dolcissima e fantastica! Un violino !

[@lindanorris2455]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh chills up my spine! She is soooooooooooooooooooooooo lovely.

[@stevendaniel5649]

Exquisite! How I miss her.......

[@cindyschulz6905]

Thank you so much for adding such beauty to our lives.

[@thesugimotosan]

Ok. I love this woman

[@kastrafior1487]

Quelle sublime ligne de chant ! Montserrat était à l'époque soprano-doublure à l'opéra de Bâle (Suisse). Elle travaillait aussi comme serveuse au buffet 2° classe de la gare de cette ville... Une femme merveilleuse, courageuse et généreuse. RESPECT !

[@matthieudegott3154]

Et son premier rôle à Bâle: 1° dame de la nuit!

[@demengamarguerite-marie8204]

Comme jeune fille habitant Bâle je me souviens de Madame Caballe ... j'étais son fan et ramassait ses autographes à la sortie du théâtre. Je l'admirais... merci Madame, pour votre belle et envoutante voix.

[@LordMgls]

Merveilleuse ans corageuse, indeed. As for généreuse, I think the Spanish tax authorities thought otherwise!

[@debbiejohnson2789]

@@demengamarguerite-marie8204 that was wonderful for you! I’m sure you never forgot those times! Lucky you and smart you too!

[@debbiejohnson2789]

@@demengamarguerite-marie8204 you were so lucky and smart to have seen her in those early years! God bless you and thank you for sharing your memories with us.

[@andrzejbator7708]

CABALLE DIVA OPEROWA FENOMENALNE PIANISSIMO BEL CANTO

[@Topodiluna]

Semplicemente perfetta

[@BellaFirenze]

L'alma mia di gioia è piena, or che alfin la può ascoltar (To paraphrase the lines...). È veramente una gioia, un incanto. Bravissima!

[@kitheskethharvey3576]

And even more so, living through what now must. Lohengrin, this saves us from despair. Thank you x

[@grabiopera]

FANTASTIC !!!!!! GRANDISSIMA :):):):):)

[@michaelasquith9791]

RIP Montserrat Caballé. I hope Freddie Mercury's looking after you, in the afterlife. RIP Freddie, Monsterrat, Mr and Mrs Bulsara, and Freddie's partner, Jim Hutton. 😥❤

[@michaelasquith9791]

Thank you, Lohengrin O.

[@MargotRecabarren]

Montserrat was sublime... Freddie and her dared to achieve an extraordinary, outstanding and outrageous musical adventure.... bonded two exceptional voices and styles: rock and ópera. Just them... they were the first..., no one before them.. and a lot of singers after them. Thanks to both of them we have BARCELONA

[@zazuzazz5419]

Exquisite!!! One of my aunt’s favorites... Hello, my beloved Toby.

[@LohengrinO]

Im Theo not Toby :D

[@jmiller05]

Thank god this happened!

[@LohengrinO]

25 minute ovation... too bad it is not recorded... I would have posted it :D

[@jmiller05]

Legendary moment in Opera. Can you imagine if Horne had sang this instead? They'd be clapping to wake people up lol.

[@LohengrinO]

Horne never had the notes to sing soprano roles... her one chance to prove that was Adalgisa's C6 that she omitted in every performance she sang.. it is just that the Bonynge courtyard were full of people conceited and megalomaniac (typical Gay personalities) and they thought about themselves ideas that were never grounded and reasonable... Horne was just a very good Gargler nothing more nothing less

[@jmiller05]

Lohengrin O Exactly, and in the final scene Lucrezia goes up with coloratura to high C multiple times. People claim Horne was a great 'soprano' in her youth, but I've never heard it. She barely had top notes singing Dalila.

[@brucefowler_tenor]

Lohengrin O, I (and scores of others, no doubt) had no idea of your homophobic thoughts and beliefs. Because of this, I now commit to boycott your page and posts. This may or may not be made public in opera organizations here and beyond. This is not a threat as you no doubt will not change your bigoted ideas. I wish the best for you but you have lost one devotee.

[@davidrollins9954]

Thank you for your all of your invaluable work with these archival recordings. Your channel is for me an incredible, endless source of discovery, comfort and inspiration. A million thanks and waves of endless applause. Bis! Bis!

[@LohengrinO]

U are so sweet... it is an endless source of discovery and inspiration for me as well especially when I read the extremely enlightening comments

[@Katharsis44-091]

La Superba de verdad. Wonderful technique and the beauty of the voice absolutely remarkable 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@victorberistain9536]

5:57 Y aquí nace la leyenda, aquí nace Caballé “La Superba”... 🥺

[@PABLOGARCIA-gb5ih]

Callas + Tebaldi= CABALLÉ

[@tropicalstrings]

Such a godly voice

[@dariuszgrabowski8665]

FANTASTIC !!!!!!!!

[@joycegausmann5840]

Beautiful.

[@sophiaangelini4368]

Sehr geehrter Lohengrin, you are indeed generous and thoughtful to share your knowledge and insights. I have always heard of the wondrous Monserrat but listened to her today - April 2020 - because of your kindness and karma.

[@magdaschweitzer1472]

I must agree with Fred Shapr, but he said it nicer than I could.

[@axelzeltsch1668]

And Horne recorded Lucrezia Borgia in the 70s doing Orsini along Dame Joan doing Lucrezia

[@vanmusician]

In the mid 60's Marilyn Horne toyed with the idea of once again singing some soprano roles - she started as a soprano singing roles like Mimi and Marie in Wozzek. She felt Lucrezia was possible for her as the tessitura is not high. But she had to cancel because of a difficult pregnancy. At that period there were very few sopranos singing this repertoire. Sutherland and Gencer were both busy, but one of the American Opera Society's members remembered hearing Caballé in Europe and recommended her.

[@vanmusician]

Around 1974 Edmonton Opera did Turandot with Caballé's husband Bernabe Marti singing Calaf. She agreed to do a recital between the first 2 performances. I flew there to hear the recital and the opera the next night. She was in fabulous voice and reduced strong men to tears. I mean this literally. Backstage after the recital male members of the Turandot cast were leaning against walls speechless and red-eyed. Years later I worked for the company and found in the library a reel-to-reel tape of the concert, recorded by a staff member from above the stage. I now have it transferred to cd.

[@LohengrinO]

When you say Turandot and "..to tears" I suspect she was singing Liu, right?

[@vanmusician]

No - she wasn't in the Turandot production - just her husband. She flew there to do the recital. She attended the opera the night after her recital I was there and she got a big ovation when she entered the auditorium. She sat beside the director of the production, and he was recording it with a pocket recorder. When it came to her husband kissing Turandot at the end, she thought it went on too long. I've heard the tape. She whispered 'Ees too long', then a moment later when I assume the kiss was still happening, she hissed to the director 'I keeeel you!' All a joke I am sure!

[@aetion]

+John Mitchell Thank you for the stories. They are interesting. _"All a joke I am sure!"_ Are you? Only their bed this night can know :)

[@vanmusician]

Caballé is famous for her sense of humour, and it was only a stage kiss. :) She and her husband have always been very devoted to each other.

[@rugby8-Philadelphia]

Luscious !!!! Thanks! 😎

[@ritamariadijeva121]

I totally agree with you Fred Sharp. Thank you for ever Lohengrin

[@salvadormelendez3890]

La reina del pianissimi, she is in that the one and only, ô souvenir que me veux-tu?

[@amazon0971]

A gem, thanks very much for posting it! Btw, no wonder, she became a superstar, right?! :) Her 1974 Orange Norma is my absolute favourite.

[@willym9836]

I was at that performance - still one of the greatest moments in my 60 years of opera going.

[@debbiejohnson2789]

1974 Norma Orange is my favorite too. I have been working on a doll of Montserrat portraying that particular Norma. I'm sure there a whole lot of people who agree with us on that! She herself said that was her best Norma!

[@debbiejohnson2789]

@@hrh4961 it sure did!

[@debbiejohnson2789]

@@willym9836 oh, I'm so happy for you that you were at that performance! How lucky and smart you were to have been there and done that. That must be one of your greatest memories!

[@amazon0971]

@@debbiejohnson2789 thanks very much for sharing that lovely story! :)

[@asterflamm]

Sorprendente!

[@dangordon7679]

Outstandingly beautiful!👌🙏

[@donpkra]

stunning

[@germanquintero10121946]

Una joya

[@cappycapuzi1716]

Fabulous! I'd rather hear Caballe sing this than Horne anyways. Though I respect Horne i find her tone a bit brassy sometimes. Caballe has a rich, beautiful voice, not bright as Sutherland's or as dark as Flagstad's, but somewhere in the middle.

[@LohengrinO]

Lucrezia Borgia with Gargles and inaudible sound? no thank you...

[@TenzinChodrak]

Thank you!!!

[@eastfiftyseven]

La Superba de verdad!

[@dasingaman1]

Marilyn sang a high c when she sang Norma alongside with Sutherland. The duet she must hit a high c. She absolutely had a high c

[@LohengrinO]

she always omitted the C6 in the duet with Norma

[@smurf902]

Troyanos didn't omit it

[@pammyjones1151]

thanks for the info....

[@clutterpossum6557]

'Com'e bello' Lucrezia in "Lucrezia Borgia" by Donizetti (thanks to commenter John Trigger for info)

[@annapelenitsyna2405]

Bravissimo

[@remomazzetti8757]

Donizetti's Lucrezia Borgia, concert performance on April 20, 1965. The conductor was Jonel Perlea, who unfortunately, makes many small unnecessary cuts. But fortunately, they use Donizetti's superior revised version of the Finale which he made in 1840 and which he considered definitive. He rewrote the entire scene and excised the cabaletta from the first version that he had only included at the insistence of the soprano who sang the world premiere performances in 1833. Unfortunately far too many divas re-instate it despite the composer's preference for the revised version.

[@LohengrinO]

...Montsy never sang the final scene in full virtuosity because she simply could not

[@pilouetmissiou]

Wow.....

[@jeffscop]

that was spellbinding!!

[@willypipito]

Montse, la mas grande, junto a Barbra, Ella Fitzzgerald y Julia Zenko, voces de otro mundo!!!!

[@user-fm6bl3qx5k]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@mariogomez-hv2ir]

non per nulla,la chiamano LA SUPERBA!

[@sarahaprincesa]

NON HO PAROLE

[@annatamparow4917]

Nothing beats her Hijo de la Luna rendition! Also, could you get some variety in: like Kiri Te Kanawa in Tosca, Agnes Baltsa in Don Carlos, Renata Tebaldi in La Traviata, for example?

[@rogalesi58]

dopo callas la mia favorita.

[@lospazio]

Caballé replaced Horne? I suppose the audience have been charged $100 extra....

[@DanielAlexis17]

Is this the actual recording of the performance that made her famous after singing in place of Horne?

[@LohengrinO]

yes yes....

[@annaattanasio9263]

Callas +Tebaldi = Caballé dolce e soave regna sovrana

[@fan2jnrc]

What a joke.

[@annaattanasio9263]

@@fan2jnrc tu quale barzelletta vorresti raccontare

[@hrvoje14]

Anna Attanasio I LOVE Montsy, but I don’t believe she ever had the top notes of a Callas in her prime or the steel in her voice to credibly pull off dramatic roles like Medea, Lady Macbeth, Abigaile, Gioconda, Brünhilde, Isolde, Kundry...

[@tarzanpony]

how is called this aria?

[@johntrigger1644]

'Com'e bello' Lucrezia in "Lucrezia Borgia" by Donizetti

[@milazdero7479]

@@johntrigger1644 thank you very much :)

[@pericleslarrua3193]

LUCREZIA BORGIA.

[@ferrancomptepuerto1578]

that 24 People put Handdown... can explain why?

[@giuseppemartella8532]

Somebody knows where it was recorded? What theater? Thanks!

[@remomazzetti8757]

This is a concert performance of Donizetti's Lucrezia Borgia given on April 20, 1965 conducted by Jonel Perlea, presumably in Carnegie Hall. The complete performance was released on the Allegro label in 1999. The performance is outstanding, but the conductor makes too many cuts. Caballe uses the superior revised version of the final scene that Donizetti composed in 1840 and which he preferred to the original with its unnecessary cabaletta which he never wanted to begin with.

[@TimothyJonSarris]

Wonder if Horne ever made another attempt at Borgia after this production…?

[@Caprieye789]

what Aria is this?

[@anye76]

Can someone please tell me what she is singing and from what opera?

[@googlesaccount4592]

What’s the piece, please?

[@nebraful8312]

Aria title please💫🙏

[@LohengrinO]

Anakonda, by Niki Minaj

[@malipasta1]

One wonders why was Marilyn Horne going to sing THIS role? I know she sang soprano roles early in her career.

[@LohengrinO]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3XNoJmHYtNrpLM

[@gustavotbf]

Can someone explain me the title? How did soprano Montserrat replace mezzo Marilyn?

[@aetion]

I wonder too.

[@LohengrinO]

placed in the description the entire story said by John Mitchel

[@aetion]

Now it's clear. It had to be explained, hadn't it? Generally, I think you must enrich your infos. They always are too ... laconic :) Thank you.

[@LohengrinO]

my posts are also puzzles :D

[@jmiller05]

Aetion You could've always done the research yourself! lol.

[@PxCncrd]

Époustouflante

[@magicmonkichi]

who was conducting?

[@Rukasepar]

Romanian conductor Jonel (Ionel) Perlea.

[@nicoangel690]

23 thumbs down Welcome to the Millennial Civilization . Take a Bow.... "New World Order"

[@pammyjones1151]

what year is this please?....

[@matthieudegott3154]

65

[@AndreSantos-rb3dn]

Pammy Jobes2, this was on April 19th, 1965

[@pedrogutierrez5172]

1965