Marilyn Horne

This completely rewritten autobiography has been brought up to date with new material covering the last twenty years, all new pictures, and a CD of live recordings chosen by Mme. Horne as the best to exemplify her talent.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE COLORATURA SOPRANO. OFFERS UNINHIBITED REMARKS ABOUT HER FELLOW SINGERS AND CONDUCTORS AND FRANKLY TELLS OF HER MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE TO CONDUCTOR HENRY LEWIS.

Everyone is familiar with the words diva or prima donna, which have come to mean a (usually) outrageous operatic soprano, but there was a time when the star of the show was more often a contralto, or a soprano singing in today's mezzo-soprano range. This performer was referred to as an alto. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the male and female leading roles were likely to be sung by emasculated males, the alto castrati, although there were many great female altos during this period as well. The music for these fantastic artists, written by such composers as Porpora, Vinci, Hasse, and even Handel, has been largely forgotten. At the beginning of the 19th century, as the castrati died out, their roles were often assumed by female altos referred to as musici. New repertoire continued to be written for them by Rossini and others, but gradually, this musical tradition and technique was lost. Now, however, because of the talent and industry of such gifted artists as Marilyn Horne, Cecilia Bartoli, and Joyce DiDonato, and the sudden ease with which the performance of these forgotten works can be obtained, there is a resurgence of interest in the performance and preservation of this lost art. Alto: The Voice of Bel Canto examines the careers of nearly 320 great alto singers, including the great castrati, from the dawn of opera in 1597 to the present. The music of the composers who wrote for the alto voice is discussed along with musical examples and suggestions for listening. The exploration of the greatest altos’ careers and techniques offers inspiration for aspiring young singers as well as absorbing reading for the music lover who wants to know more about the fascinating world of opera.

Washington Performing Arts Society, Todd Duncan, president, Patrick Hayes, managing director, presents "Marilyn Horne," soprano, Metropolitan Opera Association, Martin Katz at the piano.

Angela Gheorghiu is one of the most passionate and talented artists working in opera today, a larger-than-life figure whose intensity and drive, on stage and off, have commanded the attention of the opera world. Largely composed of exclusive interviews with the artist, this authorized biography of the internationally acclaimed soprano, covers Gheorghiu's life and career from her childhood in Communist Romania to her spectacular Covent Garden debut in 1992 and up to the present day. In it, Gheorghiu shares new insights into the performance of many of her iconic stage roles and her collaborations with opera's leading lights. Also featured are commentaries and reminiscences by such celebrated figures in the music and art worlds as Grace Bumbry, JosŽ Carreras, Pl‡cido Domingo, Marilyn Horne, Bryn Terfel, and Franco Zeffirelli.

Jerry Sibal is no mere party planner. He’s a world-renowned designer of unforgettable celebrations of every description. Each of Sibal’s projects—whether for a private birthday party or holiday dinner, a lavish wedding or bar/bat mitzvah, a corporate retreat or charity ball—is a distinctive work of art. An Event to Remember presents a portfolio of some of Sibal’s finest and most visionary work—with dramatic photographs that will make you wish you’d been there. Throughout, Sibal reveals how he coordinates architecture, lighting and audiovisual systems, interior decor, tabletop arrangements, and his trademark floral extravaganzas to create such gloriously spellbinding environments. Venues from all over the country are featured, from New York City’s Rainbow Room, to Miami Beach’s Setai Hotel, to Atlantic City’s Borgata Casino, to outdoor settings such as the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and a California hillside with breathtaking Pacific Ocean views.

(Vocal). This collection features celebrated arias as interpreted by the great Marilyn Horne. In addition to a brief biography, each selection, in standard voice and piano format, is followed by notes which indicate the variants, breaths, fermatas, and all of the nuances that Horne employed to turn these arias into masterpieces of interpretation. A wonderful reference tool for vocal coaches, professional singers and voice students.