Recently, thirty musicians surprised a city block in Paris with an elaborate flash mob performance of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
You can see the video of this remarkable performance below.
The footage begins with pedestrians and outdoor diners engaged in their normal activities on a beautiful day. Suddenly, three women pop out of a window over the square and begin singing the song’s famous opening line: “Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality.”
They are quickly joined by pianist Julien Cohen (who posted the video on his YouTube page), lead singer Mickey Castillo, and several other singers and musicians, each appearing from various windows, vehicles, and locations.
Read More: The Crazy, Continuing Story of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
Eventually, a total of 30 musicians take over the square, including 11-year-old internet guitar sensation Olly Pearson and a full opera choir. They perform the epic song from 1975’s A Night at the Opera in its entirety, receiving a rousing ovation from the gathered audience.
How Long Did It Take to Record ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’?
The 50th anniversary of the first day of recording for “Bohemian Rhapsody” occurred on Aug. 24. Queen reportedly spent three weeks of 10-12 hour days assembling 200 vocal overdubs for the song’s operatic climax, only for their label to declare the song unsuitable for release as a single due to its six-minute runtime.
Fortunately, the band pushed through these objections, and by Christmas of 1975, the song was at the top of the charts. It remains one of the best-selling singles in rock history.
Watch the ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Paris Flash Mob Performance
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Gallery Credit: Eduardo Rivadavia
