Who was Montserrat Caballé? Google Doodle celebrates ‘La Superba’
GOOGLE regularly honors historical figures with a Doodle.
On April 12, 2022, Google Doodle, is celebrating the life of Montserrat Caballé. Here's what we know about her...
Who was Montserrat Caballé?
María de Montserrat Bibiana Concepción Caballé i Folch was born on April 12, 1933, in Barcelona, Spain.
The Spanish operatic soprano was known as Montserrat Caballé and her nickname La Superba.
She was said to have "a personality that was larger-than-life" but her music is the legacy she left behind.
In 1965 she made her debut in the US at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
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She was known internationally and reached opera stardom during her lifetime.
Her name became known among non-classical fans in 1987, when she duetted with Queen frontman Freddie Mercury on the song Barcelona.
It brought chart success for the opera singer across Europe, reaching No8 in the UK singles chart.
They performed the song at Freddie’s last concert, at the La Nit Festival in Barcelona in 1988.
It went on to become the anthem for the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992, and achieved more chart success for the duo, peaking at No2 in the UK charts.
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However a planned performance of the song at the Olympics was canceled after Freddie died in 1991.
Caballé was known specifically for her bel canto vocal technique.
Bel canto is the "quintessential way to sing opera," wrote.
She continued performing until she was 80, when health problems forced her to retire from the stage.
Caballé married fellow opera star Bernabé Martí in 1964 and they remained together until her death on October 6, 2018, at the age of 85.
They had two children, daughter Montserrat Martí, who sang with her mother on a number of occasions, and son Bernabé Martí Jr.
Why is Montserrat Caballé being celebrated with a Google Doodle?
Google is honoring Caballé with her own Google Doodle to celebrate the singer's 89th birthday.
"Happy 89th Birthday, La Superba. Your legacy sings on," Google wrote on their Google Doodle website.
The legendary singer received five Grammy nominations during her career.
In 1968 she won her first Grammy for Best Classical Vocal Performance.
Despite being born and raised in Spain, the singer did not make her debut in her homeland.
She made her professional debut in Switzerland, before performing in Germany.
According to Google, Caballé gave over 3,800 performances in over 80 roles on five continents.
Aside from her singing career she was a philanthropist.
She founded , an organization to support young talent in Barcelona.
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What is a Google Doodle?
Google releases Doodles to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays or days of note throughout history.
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The first-ever Google Doodle was designed by co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin and honored The Burning Man event in Nevada.
Prior to Caballé's Doodle, Google Doodle released one to honor the 80th birthday of Nomhle Nkonyeni on April 8, 2022.
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