Montserrat Caballe, a Spanish opera singer renowned for her bel canto technique and her interpretations of the roles of Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti, has died at the age of 85.

Hospital Sant Pau spokesman Abraham del Moral confirmed her death early on Saturday.

Mr del Moral said Caballe's family requested the cause of death not be released while saying she had been in the Barcelona hospital since September.

Spanish media said that Caballe entered the hospital in September because of a gall bladder problem.

Born into a working class family in Barcelona, Caballe unveiled her musical talents early, singing Bach cantatas at the age of seven.

In her almost unlimited repertoire, she starred in 90 opera roles with nearly 4,000 stage performances.