Mark Eden Horowitz's show-and-tell at the Library of Congress for Stephen Sondheim included significant manuscripts by Oscar Hammerstein II, Milton Babbitt, and pieces related to Sondheim's shows. The highlight was Gershwin's manuscript for Porgy and Bess, which moved Sondheim to tears. Shortly after, Sondheim decided to bequeath his papers to the Library. A fire in Sondheim's home nearly destroyed them, underscoring the importance of their preservation. Now, over 5,000 of Sondheim’s items are safely stored, continuing to surprise Horowitz.
"When I brought out Gershwin's manuscript for Porgy and Bess, he cried," remembers Horowitz. The emotional impact of the collection resonated deeply with Sondheim.
"There's no reason why these manuscripts should not have gone up in flames... It truly is miraculous," says Horowitz, reflecting on the near loss of Sondheim's work.
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