A Night At The Opera 50

A Timeless Masterpiece Reborn in Crystal Clear Glory!

Queen: A Night At The Opera Album Worldwide Reissue (2025)

Released worldwide as a half-speed mastered 180gm crystal clear vinyl LP on October 17, 2025, Queen’s A Night At The Opera (catalogue: 00602475946410) remains their magnum opus — the 1975 classic now restored with Bob Ludwig mastering and Miles Showell’s Abbey Road half-speed lacquer cut. Pressed by Optimal Media, with gold labels, embossed/debossed gold foil gatefold, picture inner, and gold hype sticker. The definitive audiophile edition of the album that gave the world "Bohemian Rhapsody".

Album Overview

Release Details

Label: EMI / Queen Productions Ltd.

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Half Speed Mastered, Crystal Clear, Heavyweight 180gm.

℗ & ©: Queen Productions Ltd.

Licensed to Universal International Music B.V.

Mastered at Gateway Mastering (Bob Ludwig), half-speed lacquer Abbey Road (Miles Showell).

Pressed by Optimal Media GmbH – BP32334

Track Listing

Side A

1. Death On Two Legs (Dedicated To....)

2. Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon

3. I'm In Love With My Car

4. You're My Best Friend

5. '39

6. Sweet Lady

7. Seaside Rendezvous

Side B

1. The Prophet's Song

2. Love Of My Life

3. Good Company

4. Bohemian Rhapsody

5. God Save The Queen

Production and Context

Original production: Roy Thomas Baker & Queen. Executive reissue production: Brian May & Roger Taylor. Additional audio supervision: Justin Shirley-Smith & Kris Fredriksson. Restoration: Kris Fredriksson. Recorded 1975 at Sarm East, Roundhouse, Olympic, Rockfield, Scorpio, Lansdowne. The album that bankrupted Queen to make — and made them legends.

Reissues & Global Variants

- Vinyl, LP, Half Speed Mastered, Crystal Clear 180gm – EMI 00602475946410 – Worldwide – 17 Oct 2025

Legacy and Collectibility

A Night At The Opera is Queen’s masterpiece — "Bohemian Rhapsody", "You're My Best Friend", "The Prophet's Song" — now in pristine crystal clear 180gm half-speed glory. Original 2025 pressings with gold foil gatefold and hype sticker fetch £40–£80 on release day (expected). Verify runouts with mirrored plating marks and Miles Showell signature.

This reissue is a must-have for Queen audiophiles and vinyl collectors.

Do you have A Night At The Opera in your vinyl stack? Is Bohemian Rhapsody still your headbanger? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Prince Vault, Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube

Official announcement:

Queen's landmark album A Night At The Opera was reissued as part of the band's 50th anniversary celebrations for both the album and its iconic single "Bohemian Rhapsody." Originally released on November 21, 1975, the album was Queen's grandest artistic statement to date, reaching No. 1 in five countries (including the UK) and featuring the classic lineup of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon. It contains an entire musical universe in its 12 songs, spanning glam-tinged hard rock ("Death On Two Legs"), heartfelt ballads ("Love Of My Life"), and the groundbreaking 6-minute epic "Bohemian Rhapsody," which topped the UK charts for a record-breaking nine weeks.

The reissue, overseen by Brian May and Roger Taylor, honors the album's multi-platinum status and its role in Queen's breakthrough. It's the first in a series of anniversary releases, with "Bohemian Rhapsody" getting its own vinyl variants. The album's legacy includes its ambitious scope—covering folk, opera, and rock—and its influence on everything from Queen II's theatricality to the band's live spectacles.

Reissue Details

Label: Universal Music (worldwide, excluding US where it's Hollywood Records)

Catalog Number: Not specified in announcements; standard for the edition is expected to be a new variant like "OPULENT" or "50th Edition."

Release Date: October 18, 2025 (UK, as part of National Album Day); October 17, 2025 (rest of the world)

Format: Lavish crystal clear 180g vinyl with gold labels, limited edition

Special Features: The vinyl is pressed on clear material for a "see-through" aesthetic, emphasizing the album's opulent legacy. No bonus tracks or remastering details announced yet, but it's positioned as a collector's item.

Tracklist (Original 1975 Sequence)

Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to...) – 3:43

Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon – 1:08

I'm in Love with My Car – 3:05

You're My Best Friend – 2:50

'39 – 3:30

Sweet Lady – 4:01

Seaside Rendezvous – 2:13

The Prophet's Song – 8:21

Love of My Life – 3:38

Good Company – 3:23

Bohemian Rhapsody – 5:55

God Save the Queen – 1:15

Legacy & Why It Matters

A Night At The Opera was Queen's first No. 1 album and a commercial juggernaut, selling over 6 million copies worldwide. "Bohemian Rhapsody" alone revolutionized radio with its operatic structure and became the band's signature song, later revived in the 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody. Brian May has called it "a hugely important album for us," highlighting the band's creative freedom. The 50th anniversary edition ties into Queen's ongoing revival, including the 2020 Greatest Hits reissue and 2025 tour announcements.

The vinyl reissue is available for pre-order on QueenOnline and Amazon, priced around £25–£30. A companion "Bohemian Rhapsody" single reissue drops October 31, 2025, on blue heavyweight vinyl, 12" picture disc, and cassette.

For more, check Queen's official site or the Classic Rock magazine issue out October 10, 2025, which includes a premium edition with stickers and posters. If you're a collector, this is a must-have alongside the 2011 remaster. Let me know if you need track-by-track analysis or comparisons to the original!