Customer Reviews

Marilyn Horne: My Life

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Instead of purchasing this 1983 version of Marilyn Horne's ghosted biography: "My Life," you might want to spend a little more money and get her updated story: "The Song Continues" which was published in 2004, and also includes a CD with rare live recordings of this stupendous mezzo-soprano.

Marilyn Horne has been called "probably the greatest singer in the world" (Opera News, 1981). She is, without a doubt, one of the great 20th century mezzo-sopranos and one of 'the' Rossini interpreters of our time. She sang and recorded for over 40 years, partnering with three generations of 'Semiramides' in her illustrious career: Joan Sutherland; Montserrat Caballé; and June Anderson. Her instrument is powerful, agile, beautiful, and secure in every register. Just like a Stradivarius, she has a unique, opulent voice (one of my favorite opera authors accuses her of concealing a trombone in her chest).

If you'd like to hear her sing before you purchase either of her biographies, she has an extensive discography. Two of my own favorites are the Scimone "L'Italiana in Algeri" (Erato - 1980) and the famous 1980 Aix-en-Provence live performance of "Semiramide" with Montserrat Caballé and Samuel Ramey. The latter has all of the problems you might expect from the recording of a live performance, but my god, the singing!

Marilyn Horne : My LifeMarilyn Horne was the greatest Rossini Mezzo-Soprano of the century,she gave Joan Sutherland a run for her money when singing their great Bellini/Rossini duets,both great singers,matching each other in tone,coloratura,cadenzas,their voices mathed perfectly.The book is very informative,written with great honesty and humour,many lovely Photographs,and a discography,and performance details,a great percusor to her later Biography bringing her story almost up to date.