Freddie Mercury And Montserrat Caballe Barcelona Special Edition 2012 Better Extra Quality -
Beyond the Original: Why the 2012 Special Edition of Barcelona is the Definitive Freddie & Montserrat Experience
By: Tim Reynolds, Classic Rock & Classical Crossover Editor Posted: October 2023
The Orchestral Solution: The 2012 Re-imagining The primary improvement in the 2012 Special Edition is the replacement of synthesized instrumentation with the Prague Symphony Orchestra. This was not merely a remaster; it was a reconstruction. By removing the electronic keyboards and drum loops and substituting them with live strings, brass, and percussion, the album gained a necessary organic warmth. Beyond the Original: Why the 2012 Special Edition
: The 2012 release includes the duet version of "Exercises in Free Love," which was the song that originally "broke the ice" between Which One Is "Better"? 1988 Original Version 2012 Special Edition Authenticity The climax: In the original, the final high
The most significant change was the complete removal of the 1988 synthetic rhythm section. In its place, Morley and his team recorded a live, full symphony orchestra (the Roky Erickson Orchestra in Prague). The drums became acoustic, the basslines warm and organic, and the synth pads were replaced by real strings and brass. Tracks like “Ensueño” (a Mercury-penned Spanish lullaby) and “Overture Piccante” suddenly breathed with a cinematic sweep. Caballé’s voice, previously competing with artificial reverb, now floated naturally above a lush, living orchestra. Mercury’s piano, which had been buried in the mix, was brought forward, revealing his classical sensitivity. replaced the original's synthesizers, giving the tracks a
- The climax: In the original, the final high note is a layered composite. In the 2012 Special Edition Take 2, Mercury holds a guttural, strained rock B4 while Caballé floats an operatic high C above him. They are not chasing a click track; they are chasing each other. The result is chaotic, dangerous, and breathtakingly human.
replaced the original's synthesizers, giving the tracks a richer, more "legitimate" classical feel that many fans feel Mercury always intended. Live Percussion
The "80s Problem": Production vs. Performance To understand why the 2012 version is superior, one must first acknowledge the limitations of the 1987 original. The late 1980s were defined by heavy use of synthesizers, drum machines (specifically the LinnDrum), and gated reverb. While this production style suited Queen’s rock anthems, it often clashed with the operatic stylings of Caballé. On tracks like "The Golden Boy," the juxtaposition of one of the world's greatest operatic voices against a rigid, programmed pop beat created a jarring disconnect. The production inadvertently pigeonholed the music as a "novelty" or "pop-opera" experiment, rather than a serious artistic fusion. The synthetic elements restricted the scope of the sound, making the "grand opera" feel smaller than it was.
Review: A Majestic Marriage of Rock and Opera – Revisited
Rating: 4.5/5 (Essential for fans; a significant upgrade over the original)