# A Night at the Opera

> 1975 studio album by Queen

**Wikidata**: [Q193477](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193477)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Night_at_the_Opera_(Queen_album))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/a-night-at-the-opera

## Summary
*A Night at the Opera* is the 1975 studio album by the British rock band Queen. It is widely recognized for its innovative production, genre-blending tracks, and inclusion of the iconic song "Bohemian Rhapsody."

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: November 21, 1975
- **Record Label**: Parlophone (a subsidiary of Warner Music Group)
- **Produced by**: Roy Thomas Baker and Queen
- **Genre**: Rock, progressive rock, hard rock, pop rock, and operatic rock
- **Notable Tracks**: "Bohemian Rhapsody," "You're My Best Friend," "Death on Two Legs," "'39," and "Good Company"
- **Packaging**: The album was released with elaborate cover art and a unique, theatrical design, including a stylized inlay and a poster.
- **Cultural Impact**: The album is considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time, featuring Queen's signature blend of rock and operatic elements.
- **Band Members Involved**: Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon

## FAQs
**What is *A Night at the Opera*?**  
*A Night at the Opera* is the fourth studio album by Queen, released on November 21, 1975. It is known for its ambitious musical arrangements and the inclusion of "Bohemian Rhapsody," a groundbreaking six-minute suite that defied conventional song structures.

**Who produced the album?**  
The album was produced collaboratively by the band and Roy Thomas Baker, who worked closely with them to achieve their creative vision.

**What makes this album significant in music history?**  
It is significant for its genre-defying tracks, especially "Bohemian Rhapsody," which became a cultural phenomenon and influenced the direction of rock music and music video production.

**What are the key songs on the album?**  
Key tracks include "Bohemian Rhapsody," "You're My Best Friend," "Death on Two Legs," "'39," and "Good Company." These songs showcase Queen's versatility and the album's experimental nature.

**What is the connection to Parlophone?**  
Parlophone, a British record label with a long history of working with iconic artists like Queen, David Bowie, and Coldplay, released the album under its banner.

**What is the genre of the album?**  
The album spans multiple genres including rock, progressive rock, hard rock, and operatic rock, with "Bohemiean Rhapsody" being a standout example of operatic rock and progressive composition.

## Why It Matters
*A Night at the Opera* is a landmark in rock history, representing Queen's creative peak and showcasing their ability to blend genres and theatricality into a cohesive album. It includes what is often considered one of the most innovative songs in rock history, "Bohemian Rhapsody," which broke norms of the time by being over 6 minutes long and featuring a complex, operatic structure. The album's success helped establish Queen as one of the most creative and experimental rock bands of the 1970s, and influenced the course of rock music and music video production.

## Notable For
- **Bohemian Rhapsody**: A genre-defying song that is over 6 minutes long, featuring a complex operatic section and a narrative music video, which was revolutionary for its time.
- **Innovative Production**: The album was produced with meticulous attention to detail, layering vocals and instruments to create a rich, operatic sound.
- **Iconic Cover Art**: The album cover is notable for its stylized design and use of the band's signature logo.
- **Cultural Impact**: The album's release helped establish Queen as pioneers in blending rock with operatic and progressive elements.
- **Chart Performance**: The album reached number 1 in the UK Albums Chart and number 49 in the US Billboard 200.
- **Legacy**: It is often cited in lists of greatest albums, and its title track is one of the most recognized songs in rock history.

## Body
### History and Release  
*A Night at the Opera* was released on November 21, 1975, by Parlophone, a label with a storied legacy of working with artists like David Bowie and the Beatles. The album was a critical and commercial success, showcasing Queen's creative and experimental side. The album's release was followed by the single "Bohemian Rhapsody," which became a cultural phenomenon due to its operatic and progressive rock elements.

### Songs and Composition  
The album contains several notable tracks, including "Bohemian Rhapsody," a six-minute suite that includes a complex operatic section and narrative music video. The song was revolutionary for its time, defying conventional norms of rock music. The album also features "You're My Best Friend," "'39," and "Death on Two Legs," each with its own unique musical identity.

### Critical Reception and Legacy  
Upon release, the album received critical acclaim for its genre-blending tracks and innovative production. The album's title track, "Bohemian Rhapsody," is often cited as one of the most recognized songs in rock history. The album's legacy includes its influence on the course of rock music and its experimental nature, which helped establish Queen as pioneers in blending rock with operatic and progressive elements.

### Production and Label  
The album was produced by Roy Thomas Baker and Queen, with meticulous attention to detail in layering vocals and instruments to create a rich, operatic sound. The record label, Parlophone, played a significant role in the album's release and promotion, contributing to its success.

### Cultural Impact  
The album's cover art and stylized inlay were notable for their unique design and use of the band's signature logo. The album's success helped establish Queen as one of the most creative and experimental rock bands of the 1970s, and influenced the direction of rock music and music video production.

### Related Projects  
The album is part of the discography of Queen, a British rock band formed in 1970. The band's signature blend of rock, progressive rock, and operatic elements helped define their unique sound. The album's influence can be seen in the works of other artists and the course of rock music.

### Notable Songs  
- "Bohemian Rhapsody" is a six-minute suite that defied conventional song structures and became a cultural phenomenon.
- "You're My Best Friend" was a hit single, showcasing the band's ability to blend genres and theatricality.
- "'39" is a folk-influenced song that highlights the band's versatility and experimental nature.
- "Death on Two Legs" is a track that showcases the band's ability to blend genres and theatricality.
- "Good Company" is a track that showcases the band's ability to blend genres and theatricality.

### Band Members Involved  
- Freddie Mercury: Lead vocals, piano, and songwriting contributions
- Brian May: Guitar and vocal layering
- Roger Taylor: Drums and vocal layering
- John Deacon: Bass and vocal layering

### Record Label and Distribution  
Parlophone, the record label that released the album, is a subsidiary of Warner Music Group and has a long history of working with iconic artists like David Bowie, the Beatles, and Coldplay. The album's release was followed by the single "Bohemian Rhapsody," which became a cultural phenomenon due to its operatic and progressive rock elements.

### Genre and Style  
The album spans multiple genres including rock, progressive rock, hard rock, and operatic rock. The album's experimental nature and genre-blending tracks helped establish Queen as pioneers in blending rock with operatic and progressive elements. The album's success influenced the direction of rock music and music video production.

### Chart Performance and Legacy  
The album reached number 1 in the UK Albums Chart and number 49 in the US Billboard 200. It is often cited in lists of greatest albums, and its title track is one of the most recognized songs in rock history. The album's influence can be seen in the works of other artists and the course of rock music.

## References

1. Apple Music
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. MusicBrainz
4. Deezer
5. last.fm
6. Tidal
7. AllMusic
8. Genius
9. Album of the Year
10. Rate Your Music
11. Qobuz