Montserrat Caballe to declare for tax evasion — Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballé is accused of alleged tax fraud. Photograph: Toni Albir/EPA

Spanish opera star under investigation for alleged tax fraud

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Montserrat Caballé is suspected of funnelling earnings from foreign concerts through a company in the principality of Andorra

Famed Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballé has been placed under judicial investigation for alleged tax fraud, legal officials said on Tuesday.

Caballé, 81, is suspected of defrauding the Spanish tax authorities of more than €500,000 ($690,000) by funnelling earnings from foreign concerts through a company in the principality of Andorra, said a source at the Barcelona prosecutors' office.

The singer, who toured the world in a career spanning 50 years and came to worldwide prominence when she recorded a song with Freddy Mercury for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, is to face an investigating judge on 9 May, the source said.

An official at Catalonia's high court confirmed Caballé had been called to testify over a tax case but did not specify a date for the hearing. Caballé could not be reached immediately for comment.

In October 2012, the singer suffered a minor stroke and broke her arm while in Russia and was flown to hospital in Barcelona.

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