Marilyn Horne, Music: History, Composers, And Performers, Biographies

Related Category: Music: History, Composers, And Performers, Biographies

Marilyn Horne 1934–, American mezzo-soprano, b. Bradford, Pa. She established herself with her characterization of Marie in Alban Berg's Wozzeck at the San Francisco Opera in 1960. In 1970 she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera singing Adalgisa in Bellini's Norma. Horne is noted for the power and smoothness ("seamlessness") of her voice, evident in the ease with which she glides from one register to another. Among her notable roles have been Eboli in Verdi's Don Carlos, Arsace in Rossini's Semiramide, and the title role in Bizet's Carmen.