Music: Celebrating Horne

PUBLICISTS wrote me to say, “Marilyn Horne is about to celebrate her 75th birthday. And her foundation is about to celebrate its 15th. Would you like to interview her?” Let me give you a word of advice, dear readers: When you have a chance to talk with Marilyn Horne, don’t pass it up. She is not only one of the greatest singers who ever lived (yes, who ever lived-since man first opened his mouth to make a sound). She is an extremely smart, interesting, and fun woman.

I had a couple of hours with her in her New York apartment, overlooking Central Park. Around the apartment are busts of Rossini, Schubert, and other gents with whom Horne has been friendly. There are also pictures of her grandchildren: the three of them. “Someone said that having a grandchild is like falling in love again,” says Horne. “And it’s so true.”

About the Author

Jay Nordlinger

Jay Nordlinger was a senior editor of National Review and a book fellow at National Review Institute.

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PUBLICISTS wrote me to say, “Marilyn Horne is about to celebrate her 75th birthday. And her foundation is about to celebrate its 15th. Would you like to interview her?” Let me give you a word of advice, dear readers: When you have a chance to talk with Marilyn Horne, don’t pass it up. She is not only one of the greatest singers who ever lived (yes, who ever lived-since man first opened his mouth to make a sound). She is an extremely smart, interesting, and fun woman.

I had a couple of hours with her in her New York apartment, overlooking Central Park. Around the apartment are busts of Rossini, Schubert, and other gents with whom Horne has been friendly. There are also pictures of her grandchildren: the three of them. “Someone said that having a grandchild is like falling in love again,” says Horne. “And it’s so true.”