Marilyn Horne American opera singer, mezzo-soprano Date of Birth: 16.01.1934 Country: USA

Biography of Marilyn Horne

Marilyn Horne, an American opera singer and mezzo-soprano, was born on January 16, 1934, in Bradford, Pennsylvania. She began her singing career at the age of 13 when she joined the newly formed Concert Youth Chorus in Los Angeles.

After graduating from high school, Horne enrolled in the music school at the University of Southern California, where she studied solo performance under the guidance of William Vennard. She then went on to complete her vocal training and gained practical experience by working in film, television, and performing in shows. During this time, she also recorded her first folk song on a disc.

Horne made her debut in the Guild Opera in Los Angeles in the early 1950s as a light lyric soprano. However, her voice later developed into that of a dramatic mezzo-soprano, gaining strength and beauty. Her vocal flexibility and excellent breath control allowed her to tackle challenging coloratura passages.

In 1956, Horne caught the attention of composer Igor Stravinsky, who recognized her talent and invited her to perform at the Vienna Festival. This marked the beginning of her successful career. She became a soloist at the Gelsenkirchen Opera in Germany, where she sang for three years. In 1960, she returned to the United States and became a soloist at the San Francisco Opera. From 1961 onwards, she frequently collaborated with the renowned Australian coloratura soprano Joan Sutherland, performing together in various opera productions.

In 1970, Horne made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, singing the role of Norma in Bellini's opera alongside Sutherland. In addition to her repertoire of bel canto roles, she also sang contemporary American music by composers such as William Bolcom and popular songs.

Horne was married to conductor Henry Lewis from 1970 to 1984, and they have a daughter together. In 1983, she published her candid autobiography "My Life," co-authored with writer Jane Scovell. In 2004, she released its sequel, "Marilyn Horne: The Song Continues."

Having received numerous awards throughout her career, Horne retired from active stage performances in 1999. However, she occasionally appears in private concerts. Her repertoire primarily consists of works by composers such as Bellini, Handel, Puccini, Rossini, Bizet, Verdi, and Vivaldi.