Beloved is a word too often overused in describing singers, but Montserrat Caballé has rightly earned that term of endearment from opera lovers around the world. In a career that has spanned four decades and every major music capital, the supremely beautiful voice of 'Monsie' has thrilled at least two generations of vocal fans.

Caballé worked very hard for her success with the first decade of her career spent mostly perfecting her wide repertoire in German opera houses. As is often the case, her international stardom was ignited by a single event, a concert performance of Donizetti's then rarely heard opera Lucrezia Borgia at Carnegie Hall in April, 1965.

She possesses a voice of singular beauty and her trademark has always been an exquisite high pianissimo which she has used to great musical and dramatic effect. Caballé's repertoire is wide ranging and has some delightful unexpected corners ranging from comic Rossini (Il Viaggio a Reims) to Strauss (a memorable Salomé) and the great Itlians roles of Verdi, Puccini, Donizetti and Bellini.

In recent years Caballé has successfully bridged the gap between classical and pop music in an historic concert and recording with Freddy Mercury. She has also been an active recitalist and often appears with her daughter in duet. Caballé married the tenor Bernabé Marti in 1964.

She has been incredibly active in the recording studios during her long career and many of her finest interpretations can be found on all three of the Universal Classics labels.