Leontine Price

Leontine Price (February 22, 1927 – January 24, 2024) was an American operatic soprano who became one of the most important and celebrated singers of the twentieth century. Born in Laurel, Mississippi, she overcame significant racial barriers to achieve international stardom during the Civil Rights era. Price made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1961 in "Verdi's Don Carlo" and became the first Black woman to perform a leading role at the Met. She was renowned for her powerful, rich contralto-soprano voice and her interpretations of Verdi roles, particularly in "Aida," "La Traviata," and "Il Trovatore." Throughout her career spanning over five decades, she performed at the world's most prestigious opera houses and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2001. Her groundbreaking career not only established her as an incomparable artist but also paved the way for future generations of Black opera singers, making her a cultural icon and symbol of excellence and perseverance.