Mourners bid farewell to legendary Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballe
FILE PHOTO: Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballe performs during a concert in Santander, northern Spain December 9, 2006. REUTERS/Victor Fraile/File Photo
BARCELONA (Reuters) - Spanish royalty, politicians and Catalan tenor Jose Carreras joined family and friends of legendary soprano singer Montserrat Caballe for her funeral on Monday, two days after her death at the age of 85.
Caballe, famed for her powerful, soaring voice, enjoyed an international career spanning nearly six decades and was known not only for her great operatic performances. In 1987 she released the song "Barcelona", an anthem to her native city, with Freddie Mercury, lead singer of British rock group Queen.
Pallbearers carry the coffin of Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballe to a hearse outside the funeral home in Barcelona, Spain, October 8, 2018. REUTERS/Albert Gea
Those attending her funeral at Les Corts funeral parlor in Barcelona included Spains's former queen Sofia, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Catalan regional leader Quim Torra.
"She was an irreplaceable artist, the soprano of the 20th century along with Maria Callas," Jose Carreras told reporters outside the funeral parlor.
"(Caballe) was a simple woman on a day-to-day basis, but when she dressed like a queen... she was really majestic. She was a unique singer, there will never be anyone else like her."
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez arrives for the funeral of Spanish Family opera singer Montserrat Caballe at the funeral home in Barcelona, Spain, October 8, 2018. REUTERS/Albert Gea
Renowned for her performances of Italian opera, Caballe also worked with the late tenor Luciano Pavarotti. Her last performance took place in the Catalan town of Cambrills in 2014.
She died in Sant Pau hospital in Barcelona on Saturday. She had been in ill health for a number of years and was admitted to hospital in mid-September.
Carlos Caballe, brother of Montserrat Caballe, leaves the funeral of Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballe at the funeral home in Barcelona, Spain, October 8, 2018. REUTERS/Albert Gea
(Reporting by Albert Gea; writing by Jesús Aguado; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Italian musician Al Bano arrives for the funeral of Spanish Family opera singer Montserrat Caballe at the funeral home in Barcelona, Spain, October 8, 2018. REUTERS/Albert GeaSpanish tenor Jose Carreras (2nd R) arrives for the funeral of Spanish Family opera singer Montserrat Caballe at the funeral home in Barcelona, Spain, October 8, 2018. REUTERS/Albert GeaSpain's former queen Sofia arrives for the funeral of Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballe at the funeral home in Barcelona, Spain, October 8, 2018. REUTERS/Albert GeaCatalan President Quim Torra arrives for the funeral of Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballe at the funeral home in Barcelona, Spain, October 8, 2018. REUTERS/Albert GeaPallbearers carry the casket of Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballe to a hearse outside the funeral home in Barcelona, Spain, October 8, 2018. REUTERS/Albert GeaThe hearse carrying the casket of Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballe leaves the funeral home in Barcelona, Spain, October 8, 2018. REUTERS/Albert GeaSpain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stands next to Catalan President Quim Torra during the funeral of Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballe in Barcelona, Spain, October 8, 2018. Andreu Dalmau/Pool via ReutersSpain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stands next to former Queen Sofia and Catalan President Quim Torra during the funeral of Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballe in Barcelona, Spain, October 8, 2018. Andreu Dalmau/Pool via ReutersThe hearse carrying the casket of Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballe leaves the funeral home in Barcelona, Spain, October 8, 2018. REUTERS/Albert Gea
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