Most people seem to not know that before Lucianno Pavarotti made a success from his 'Pavarotti & Friends' concerts with the most famous music stars in the world, it was Freddie and Montserrat the ones who built that bridge between mainstream Pop/Rock and Opera.
But now I'm wondering, were Freddie and Montserrat really the first ones?
Pop/Rock star with Opera star - yes. But about the whole idea, I'm not sure... It's something like 'Bo Rhap was a first video ever' - depends on few factors...
No: I think "Tommy" by the Who, is considered as the first "rock-opera".
However, as a true hybrid - that is a rock track to employ opera as opera - "Rockaria" by ELO preceded "Barcelona" by about 10 years.
mmmmmm good question! i was assuming "tommy" as well but it never had an "opera" singer like pavarotti and u2 for example, of its genre i think it could be!