A Gift; Meeting Marilyn Horne

Last night I received the gift of meeting one of history's best operatic mezzo sopranos. But what was so special was that she was a huge fan of my great aunt's and a dear friend of my great uncle George.

Here is my dad pictured with Marilyn Horne who attended last night's dinner in honor of Barbara Cook, pop singer extraordinaire.

As my dad and I were sitting sipping champagne and eating incredible appetizers, including a delicate chicken salad on edible spoon, Barbara Cook came in to receive her guests in the receiving line. But someone was with her, and that someone was obviously also a dignitary. A seat was brought over and immediately my former classmate and Barbara's son Adam went to greet her. He came back over to continue our conversation where it had left off, and I asked him, "who is that?" When he replied, "Marilyn Horne" I almost fell flat on my face.

Her name was familiar to me from a lifetime of lunches, birthday dinners, and family visits with my Uncle George (George Cehanovsky, Russian Diction Coach at the Met and singer prior to that time). She was a personal friend and great fan of my great aunt, Elisabeth Rethberg. I knew Marilyn's name and her voice well; I grew up going to dress rehearsals at the met, and I heard her sing there many times. And now here we were able to meet.

But what was so special about this meeting was that we connected as if family. I felt like God had allowed me to rub shoulders with my grandmother, who also lived with my great aunt and uncle for a spell, while my Uncle George lovingly cared for both of them as their health failed. She spoke to me. Connected with me. Reminded me of what special people my great aunt and uncle were, and brought memories of years ago into focus in the here and now.

And she shared with me that the earrings she wore, beautiful diamonds, were from Uncle George, smuggled out of Russia when he fled the Revolution with his singing coach, a woman he called his mother.

I only have vague recollections of the history that he lived through. I remember at one birthday gathering he did talk a long time. I was six and totally disinterested; I sat under the table wishing the story would come to a close. How I wish I could revisit that place...he shared about how he fled the country and made his way to the United States, living through an incredible period of history. And I was too young to appreciate it.

But tonight, when I met and was able to share with one of the all time great operatic singers, she gave me the gift of reconnecting with family in a special, unexpected and delightful way. I was truly blessed.