Quarrel over statue for Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé in Barcelona!

Quarrel over statue for Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé in Barcelona!

A statue honoring music legends Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé will soon stand in Glòries Square in Barcelona. Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni made the announcement during a Catalunya Ràdio podcast to mark the 50th anniversary of Queen's famous hit "Bohemian Rhapsody." Mercury and Caballé, who released the song “Barcelona” and an accompanying album together in the late 80s, left a lasting impression on music history. The song even became the anthem of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, only strengthening the two artists' connection to the city.

The statue will be installed in the newly renovated Glòries Park. However, questions about the location have arisen as some neighboring clubs are resisting - particularly due to Caballé's controversial biography. Critics argue that Caballé moved abroad due to financial difficulties and was convicted of tax fraud. A spokesman for these neighboring clubs said that they had no objection to Mercury, but that Caballé did not represent a role model. Caballé's relatives, on the other hand, defend the monument and highlight their positive influence and artistic legacy.

A monument to artists

Cabrale's life is a complex story marked by ups and downs in the personal and professional spheres. Nevertheless, Mayor Collboni wants the city to repay an “open debt” to its two artists. There is also the possibility of naming neighboring streets after Caballé and Mercury. While the final decision on the location of the statue is still pending, Glòries Square remains the preferred location. Alternatively, the statue could be located at the Font Màgica in Montjuïc Park, which was supported by an AI-generated visualization of an opposition party.

The connection between Mercury and Caballé began in 1983 when Mercury admired the opera diva after a performance at London's Royal Opera House. Their musical collaboration subsequently led to the groundbreaking title “Barcelona”, which impressed with a unique mix of rock and opera. Mercury, a long-time fan of the opera, recorded Caballé's part in falsetto to expedite the song's completion, as Caballé had a busy schedule. This creative connection culminated in 1988 when the duo performed live at the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, shortly after "Barcelona" was chosen as the official anthem of the Games.

A musical legacy

The image of Mercury and Caballé remains alive in Barcelona's cultural scene. With “Barcelona” the two artists not only created a musical masterpiece, but also made history. The song itself not only reached high chart positions, but was also played posthumously at the 1992 Olympics, underscoring its status as a timeless piece. Even after Mercury's death in 1991, "Barcelona" was re-released several times and enjoyed great popularity. The single was re-released in 1992 and reached top spots in the UK, New Zealand and the Netherlands, among others.

The coming months will show whether the statue will actually find its place in Glòries Square, while the debate over Caballé's contentious past inevitably continues. In any case, Barcelona looks back on an eventful and inspiring musical history, which will be further honored by the upcoming monument.

Further information on the topic can be found in the reports from goslarsche.de, catalannews.com and the article about the song Wikipedia.