Horne, Marilyn (1929–)
Horne, Marilyn (1929–)
American mezzo-soprano. Born Marilyn Bernice Horne in Bradford, PA, Jan 16, 1929; studied with father and with William Vennard, Lotte Lehmann and Gwengolyn Koldofsky; attended University of Southern California; Rutgers University, MusD, 1970; Jersey City State College, DLitt; attended St. Peter's College; m. Henry Lewis (composer).
Made debut as Haáta in Smetana's The Bartered Bride, Los Angeles Guild Opera (1954); appeared at Venice Festival by invitation of Igor Stravinsky (1956); appeared as Marie in Berg's Wozzeck at San Francisco Opera (1960) and Covent Garden (1964); made debut at La Scala in Oedipus Rex (1969) and at Metropolitan Opera as Adalgisa in Bellini's Norma (1970); other roles include Rosina in Barber of Seville and Neocle in The Siege of Corinth, both at La Scala (1969), and Isabella in L'Italiana in Algiere and title role in Carmen, both at Metropolitan Opera (1972–73); also appeared with American Opera Society of NY for several seasons which included roles in Iphigenie en Tauride and Semiramide; appeared with Vancouver Opera (Adalgisa in Norma) and at Philharmonic Hall, NY; appeared as Italiana at La Scala (1975), as Rosina at Vienna Opera (1978); recorded for London (often with Joan Sutherland), Columbia, and RCA records; received several Grammy awards.
See also autobiography My Life (1984); and Women in World History.