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Montserrat CaballeSpanish singer (soprano)
Date of Birth: 12.04.1933
Country:  Spain |
Content:
- Montserrat Caballé - The Unparalleled Opera Diva
- Off to Italy!
- Wedding Adventure
- Career Beginnings
- At the Pinnacle of Fame
- The "Iron" Caballé
- The Wrath of the Unparalleled Montserrat
- Legacy
Montserrat Caballé - The Unparalleled Opera Diva
Early Life and StrugglesMontserrat Caballé, the Spanish opera singer (soprano), was destined to become the last of the great opera divas of the 20th century. In her time, Maria Callas was called "Divine" and Renata Tebaldi was named "Amazing". Montserrat Caballé is truly worthy of the title "Unparalleled". The world of opera first captivated Montserrat at the age of seven when she cried the whole way home from the theater, devastated by the death of Madam Butterfly. She learned the heroine's aria by listening to an old record and vowed to become a famous and wealthy opera singer. Montserrat Caballé Maria de Montserrat Viviana Concepción Caballé i Folch was born on April 12, 1933, into a very poor family. Her father worked as a laborer at a fertilizer factory, and her mother took odd jobs to make ends meet. The family struggled to make a living, and Montserrat's school life was also difficult. She was disliked by other children because she was a silent loner who wore the same dress to school every day. Her classmates would often make fun of her. As if things couldn't get any worse, her father fell seriously ill and had to quit his job. However, these hardships only strengthened the young girl's character. She found work at a factory that embroidered handkerchiefs. And soon, fate smiled upon her by introducing her to the couple Beltrán Mata. They were benefactors who helped young talents. Thanks to their support, Caballé found herself at the renowned Barcelona conservatory Liceo, studying under the Hungarian teacher Eugenia Kemény. In just four years, she transformed from a rough gem into a true diamond. To this day, every day of the great soprano begins with breathing exercises based on Kemény's system.
Off to Italy!
Montserrat Caballé spent twelve years studying at the Liceo in Barcelona. After graduating with a "gold" medal, the aspiring singer set off to conquer the bastions of Italian opera theaters. However, in the homeland of Verdi and Puccini, the 24-year-old "impostor" faced a cruel disappointment. A small impresario categorically told Montserrat that a stage career was out of the question for her - with her figure, she should find a husband and raise children. Devastated, Caballé rushed home, where her brother Carlos, a fiery Catalan, came to the defense of the family's honor. He personally offered to take on the role of impresario for Montserrat, so that no one could hinder her ascent. Caballé made her professional debut on November 17, 1956, as Mimi in Giacomo Puccini's "La Bohème" at the Basel Theater, a small but well-known venue. Soon, Montserrat married the famous tenor at the time, Bernabé Martí. The young couple met during that same defining performance of "Madama Butterfly" for Montserrat. During a passionate love duet, he drew Caballé towards him, pressing his lips against hers. The passionate kiss lasted so long that the orchestra fell silent. The audience and performers were left bewildered, waiting for the hero to release the young singer. Caballé was impressed by Martí's boldness and immediately fell in love with him. And the next day, Bernabé proposed to Montserrat. They have been together ever since. While Bernabé's career gradually faded, he never envied his wife's fame. He understood how many men around the world envied the only holder of the heart of Señora Soprano, as Caballé is called in her homeland. And she reciprocated by giving him a son and a daughter - Bernabé Jr. and Montsita.
Wedding Adventure
Montserrat Caballé's wedding day in 1964 became a hilarious adventure. The ceremony was supposed to take place at the monastery on the Montserrat mountain near Barcelona. The bride's mother, a strict lady named Anna, thought it would be very romantic to have the ceremony in the presence of the revered Montserrat. On the wedding day, Caballé and her mother set off in an old Volkswagen. But, as luck would have it, it started pouring rain in Barcelona in August. They encountered a roadblock on their way up the mountain. The car got stuck. The engine died. They still had 12 kilometers to go. The guests were already waiting at the top, while the mother and the bride were struggling at the bottom with no chance of climbing up. At that moment, Montserrat, in her wedding dress and veil, soaking wet, stood in the middle of the road and started flagging down passing cars. Any paparazzi would give half their life to capture such a scene. But at the time, nobody knew her. Cars drove past the dark-haired girl in the ridiculous white dress who was desperately gesturing on the road. Fortunately, a battered truck finally came to a halt. Montserrat and Anna climbed onto it and rushed to the church, where the poor groom and guests had no idea what was happening.
Career Beginnings
Montserrat Caballé considers her debut as Mimi in Giacomo Puccini's "La Bohème" at the Basel Theater in 1956 as one of her highest achievements. She embarked on her operatic career with a bang. Soon after, she married the famous tenor Bernabé Martí, whom she had met during the performance of "Madama Butterfly." Their passionate love duet brought Caballé into the spotlight, and the kiss lasted so long that it silenced the orchestra. The next day, Bernabé proposed to Montserrat, and they have been together ever since.
At the Pinnacle of Fame
Montserrat Caballé marks her triumph from a specific performance in 1965 when she received a telegram saying, "Come to New York urgently. You are being offered a role in 'Lucrezia Borgia'." Montserrat was to replace an ailing colleague. As she stepped onto the stage, she almost broke her heel due to nervousness, but after the performance, the ovations and cries for an encore turned into a real frenzy. The next day, The New York Times featured the headline on the front page: "Callas + Tebaldi = Caballé." This is how Montserrat woke up famous.
The "Iron" Caballé
Montserrat Caballé considers her role as Norma in Bellini's opera of the same name to be one of her greatest accomplishments. Her extensive biography, titled "Caballé-Norma," became a bestseller worldwide. In 1974, Moscow heard Caballé as Norma during her La Scala tour, showcasing her talent at its peak. Her singing was the highest form of artistry. She assumed nearly a hundred different roles. Caballé learned not to worry about her solid physique. Many years ago, she was in a terrible accident and suffered a severe head injury. Since then, part of her brain has atrophied, and the system responsible for burning fat in her body does not work. So, if Caballé drinks a glass of water, it has the same effect as if she had eaten an entire cake. But even this problem cannot shake her. Montserrat possesses an iron willpower. After the car accident, she was confined to a cast but continued to perform on stage, using crutches to move around. In Verona's opera house, where she played the crippled protagonist, costume designers came to her aid. They created wide garments with massive sleeves that allowed Montserrat to hide and move slowly on stage, unbeknownst to the unsuspecting audience. And for the costumes of the court ladies in the production of "Elizabeth," which Caballé performed, they included nurses from an orthopedic clinic, just in case.
The Wrath of the Unparalleled Montserrat
Behind her always welcoming smile, there is a unique character that is not unfamiliar with incredible bursts of anger if her professional requests and desires are ignored. However, once the incident is over, she quickly calms down. She may even apologize if she notices that someone is genuinely frightened. There is a story that became a legend, which took place during a concert at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. Unexpectedly, during the performance of a number, Caballé stopped singing, walked to the front of the stage, leaned over, and asked someone, "Is everything alright? Can we continue?" She then explained to the bewildered audience, "I'm sorry, but there was a gentleman in the front row recording me on a tape recorder, and he ran out of film. While he was changing it, I decided to take a little break."
Legacy
On October 6, 2018, Caballé passed away in Barcelona's hospital, where she was admitted due to bladder problems. She left behind a remarkable legacy in the world of opera. Her talent and unparalleled voice will forever be remembered as an inspiration for future generations of opera singers.
