"BARCELONA"
Barcelona
Emanuele Richiusa and Martina Barreca
Performed by Emanuele Richiusa and Martina Barreca
Barcelona
Performed by
Emanuele Richiusa & Martina Barreca
BARCELONA is a 1988 album written and produced by Freddie Mercury, Mike Moran, and Dave Richards, and performed by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé.
It is considered the only true example of an opera-rock album, in which two artists from different musical backgrounds do not simply perform alongside each other, but blend their two worlds in a harmonious, original, visceral, explosive, and truly unique way.
Drawing on their extensive stage experience, Emanuele Richiusa and Martina Barreca bring their voices together in an extraordinary musical alchemy, remarkably close to the original artists in both intensity and emotion. Together, they recreate the atmosphere of the album and the powerful emotions conveyed by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé.
The performance will also feature a special guest appearance by pianist Anastasiya Cherkasova, who will enrich the show with a selection of operatic arias, classical pieces, and pop songs, performed alongside the other artists.
Martina Barreca
Martina Barreca began her classical vocal training with Patrizia Morandini, continuing her studies with Susanna Rigacci, Marina Comparato, and Massimo Cavalletti.
She attended bel canto masterclasses with Mara Zampieri and Montserrat Caballé, and further specialized in Baroque repertoire under the guidance of Federico Maria Sardelli, Sonia Prina, Rossana Bertini, Alessandro Quarta, Pedro Memelsdorff, Pino De Vittorio, and Gemma Bertagnolli.
She was a finalist in the Cavalli Monteverdi Competition at Teatro Ponchielli in Cremona, won third prize at the Caffarelli Baroque Competition, and was a winner of both the European Baroque Competition and the Mimas Competition in Procida.
In 2016, she was selected to perform the role of Cardella in Pergolesi's Lo Frate 'nnamorato at Guardiagrele Opera, conducted by Maurizio Colasanti and directed by Enzo Decaro.
In 2018, she made her debut at Teatro Verdi in Pisa, performing leading roles in Dittico Buffo Napoletano, featuring Sellitti's La Vedova Ingegnosa and Pergolesi's Il Maestro di Musica, accompanied by the Auser Musici Orchestra under the baton of Carlo Ipata and directed by Marco Castagnoli.
For over a decade, she has been particularly active in Baroque, Mozartian, and Rossinian repertoire, while also exploring contemporary music.
She has performed at numerous prestigious theatres and festivals, including Teatro Verdi in Pisa, Teatro Goldoni in Livorno, Teatro del Giglio in Lucca, Festival Puccini, Politeama Rossetti in Trieste, Teatro Ponchielli in Cremona, Tartini Veneto Festival, Guardiagrele Opera, Cantiere Internazionale d'Arte in Montepulciano, and Teatro Comunale in Atri.
Emanuele Richiusa
Born in 1982, Emanuele Richiusa has been bringing the legendary Freddie Mercury to life on stage for over fifteen years.
He began studying piano at the age of five, earning qualifications in music theory, solfège, and fifth-year piano studies. He later devoted himself entirely to artistic research, developing a unique interpretation of the iconic Queen frontman.
His remarkable physical resemblance to Freddie Mercury, combined with his musical talent, stage presence, charisma, and emotional intensity, allows him to capture the essence of the legendary performer with extraordinary authenticity.
From live piano and acoustic guitar performances to Freddie's unmistakable movements, playful personality, and explosive energy, Emanuele recreates every detail with passion and dedication.
Having performed extensively throughout Italy and internationally with various musical formations, he has established himself as one of Italy's leading Freddie Mercury performers. He is currently the frontman of QUEENVISION tribute band.
“Above all, my greatest gratitude goes to the one and only, incomparable, truly immortal legend in music history: Freddie Mercury. Without him, I would never have the privilege of doing the wonderful work I love!”
Martina Barreca
Martina Barreca began her classical vocal training with Patrizia Morandini, continuing her studies with Susanna Rigacci, Marina Comparato, and Massimo Cavalletti.
She attended bel canto masterclasses with Mara Zampieri and Montserrat Caballé, and further specialized in Baroque repertoire under the guidance of Federico Maria Sardelli, Sonia Prina, Rossana Bertini, Alessandro Quarta, Pedro Memelsdorff, Pino De Vittorio, and Gemma Bertagnolli.
She was a finalist in the Cavalli Monteverdi Competition at Teatro Ponchielli in Cremona, won third prize at the Caffarelli Baroque Competition, and was a winner of both the European Baroque Competition and the Mimas Competition in Procida.
In 2016, she was selected to perform the role of Cardella in Pergolesi's Lo Frate 'nnamorato at Guardiagrele Opera, conducted by Maurizio Colasanti and directed by Enzo Decaro.
In 2018, she made her debut at Teatro Verdi in Pisa, performing leading roles in Dittico Buffo Napoletano, featuring Sellitti's La Vedova Ingegnosa and Pergolesi's Il Maestro di Musica, accompanied by the Auser Musici Orchestra under the baton of Carlo Ipata and directed by Marco Castagnoli.
For over a decade, she has been particularly active in Baroque, Mozartian, and Rossinian repertoire, while also exploring contemporary music.
She has performed at numerous prestigious theatres and festivals, including Teatro Verdi in Pisa, Teatro Goldoni in Livorno, Teatro del Giglio in Lucca, Festival Puccini, Politeama Rossetti in Trieste, Teatro Ponchielli in Cremona, Tartini Veneto Festival, Guardiagrele Opera, Cantiere Internazionale d'Arte in Montepulciano, and Teatro Comunale in Atri.
Emanuele Richiusa
Born in 1982, Emanuele Richiusa has been bringing the legendary Freddie Mercury to life on stage for over fifteen years.
He began studying piano at the age of five, earning qualifications in music theory, solfège, and fifth-year piano studies. He later devoted himself entirely to artistic research, developing a unique interpretation of the iconic Queen frontman.
His remarkable physical resemblance to Freddie Mercury, combined with his musical talent, stage presence, charisma, and emotional intensity, allows him to capture the essence of the legendary performer with extraordinary authenticity.
From live piano and acoustic guitar performances to Freddie's unmistakable movements, playful personality, and explosive energy, Emanuele recreates every detail with passion and dedication.
Having performed extensively throughout Italy and internationally with various musical formations, he has established himself as one of Italy's leading Freddie Mercury performers. He is currently the frontman of QUEENVISION tribute band.
“Above all, my greatest gratitude goes to the one and only, incomparable, truly immortal legend in music history: Freddie Mercury. Without him, I would never have the privilege of doing the wonderful work I love!”
At the Piano: Anastasiya Cherkasova
Born in Tomsk, Russia, and raised in Odessa, Ukraine, where she began studying piano, Anastasiya Cherkasova moved to Italy in 2003.
She graduated with highest honours in Piano Performance from the Pietro Mascagni Institute of Music in Livorno.
She further refined her musical skills under renowned pianists Konstantin Bogino, Natalia Kozina, Jeffrey Swann, and Silvia Gasperini, while also studying modern piano and jazz with Piero Frassi.
A versatile pianist with expertise in both classical and contemporary music, she has accompanied numerous singers and instrumentalists and collaborated with the prestigious Prague-based Baroque orchestra Collegium 1704.
Alongside her performing career, Anastasiya has pursued extensive training in music education, including the Yamaha teaching method, playing a prominent role in the Musica per Tutti project in Versilia.
With over a decade of teaching experience in primary and secondary schools and music academies, she has also worked as a director of instrumental ensembles, combining her passion for performance with a strong commitment to music education.
