Origins & Early Life

Leontyne Price ( LEE-ən-teen, lee-ON-teen; born Mary Violet Leontine Price, February 10, 1927) is an American singer who was the first African-American soprano to receive international acclaim. From 1961 she began a long association with the Metropolitan Opera, becoming the first Black singer to maintain a sustained relationship with the company. She regularly appeared at the world's major opera houses, including the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera House, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and La Scala. She was particularly renowned for her performances of the title role in Giuseppe Verdi's Aida.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Born in Laurel, Mississippi, Price studied at Wilberforce University and the Juilliard School with Florence Kimball. Price's first significant professional engagement was in Virgil Thomson's Four Saints in Three Acts which she performed both on Broadway and in Paris. Later that same year she starred in the third revival of George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, and would marry her co-star, bass-baritone William Warfield. She began a long association with composer Samuel Barber in 1953 when she performed the world premiere of his Hermit Songs with the composer as her accompanist at...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• Al Martino — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Iconic Italian-American crooner, celebrated for standards and his role in The Godfather.
• Albert Uderzo — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Pioneering French comic artist, co-creator of the iconic Astérix series.
• Abdul Hamid II — Shared historical date (02-10 · Died) (1918): Last effective Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, navigating decline and constitutional upheaval.
• Alex Haley — Shared historical date (02-10 · Died) (1992): Pioneering author of 'Roots,' who brought Black American genealogy to global prominence.
• Althea Gibson — Historical peer (Born in 1927) (1927): Pioneering American tennis and golf star who broke racial barriers in sports.
• Antônio Carlos Jobim — Historical peer (Born in 1927) (1927): Pioneering composer of Bossa Nova, merging samba with cool jazz.
• Aaron Sorkin — Historical peer (Born in 1961) (1961): Master of fast-paced dialogue, known for 'walk and talk' storytelling.
• Abhijit Banerjee — Historical peer (Born in 1961) (1961): Pioneering economist known for using scientific evidence to combat global poverty.
• Ahmad Shah Massoud — Historical peer (Born in 1953) (1953): Afghan military leader, known as the "Lion of Panjshir", fought against foreign occupations.
• 1927 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1927
• February 10 (02-10) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 10