Born and raised in Laurel, Mississippi, she rose to international acclaim in the 1950s and 1960s, and was one of the first African Americans to become a leading artist at the Metropolitan Opera
One critic characterized Price's voice as "vibrant", "soaring" and "a Price beyond pearls", as well as "genuinely buttery, carefully produced but firmly under control", with phrases that "took on a seductive sinuousness
" Time magazine called her voice "Rich, supple and shining, it was in its prime capable of effortlessly soaring from a smoky mezzo to the pure soprano gold of a perfectly spun high C
A lirico spinto (Italian for "pushed lyric") soprano, she was considered especially well suited to the roles of Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini, as well as several in operas by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
After her retirement from the opera stage in 1985, she continued to appear in recitals and orchestral concerts until 1997
Among her many honors are the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1964), the Spingarn Medal (1965), the Kennedy Center Honors (1980), the National Medal of Arts (1985), numerous honorary degrees, and 19 Grammy Awards for operatic and song recitals and full operas, and a special Lifetime Achievement Award in 1989, more than any other classical singer
In October 2008, she was one of the recipients of the first Opera Honors given by the National Endowment for the Arts
Bio / wiki sources: Wikipedia, accounts on social media, content from our users.
What users say about Leontyne Price
James Hawkins: One of the greatest singers in history. A true American hero who survived the restrictions placed on her by Jim Crow and blazed a trail that others have followed. I saw her in concert in 1974 and 1992 and will always remember her grace, poise, talent, and dignity. I thank God for the gift of Mary Violet Leontyne Price. She has made the world a better place to live! (February 06, 2021)Reply »
Lola Sanderson: MS Leontyne Price, I live in Laurel, MS. since 1972, but have become interested in your life when the main street in Laurel was changed with your name! I have read of your being raised in Laurel, to your education, too many of your achievements you reached in your career, and who, what a life you lived!
I just wanted t let you know, if you're able to understand now in your life, I enjoyed reading of the adventures you witnessed with the person you allowed yourself to become! Thank you for a life of interest and the toils you must have traveled living in the south at that time, and even breaking barriers in your path you broke throughout the whole world! Thank You! (January 31, 2021)Reply »
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