A Spotlight on Black Icons - Opera Singer Leontyne Price
It's Black History Month, but instead of highlighting multiple artists like in the previous posts, this subset of posts will feature some tidbits about on legendary Black entertainer. First up is American soprano Leontyne Price.
Who is she? She is the first African-American to lead to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Take a look at some of these videos and it's no wonder she still holds the record for the standing ovation at the Met - 42 gawddamn minutes.
She was born in Mississippi, the daughter of a lumber mill worker and a midwife. Music was instilled in her at an early age, being given a piano when she was only 3. At 14, she saw Marian Anderson perform which inspired her to sing.
She gained international fame starring in a revival of Porgy and Bess.
Years after her fame in Porgy and Bess, she broadened her horizons and transitioned to opera later becoming the face and one of the highest paid performers at the Met.
She's won over 15 Grammys, received Kennedy Center Honors and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Time magazine called her voice "Rich, supple and shining, it was in its prime capable of effortless soaring from a smoky mezzo to the pure soprano gold of a perfectly spun high C"
After retiring from opera, she still sang at recitals and performed spirituals.
Nigga - this talent.
Thank you to carminaburana for the idea inspiration!
Sources 1 2 3 4
Click to viewWho is she? She is the first African-American to lead to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Take a look at some of these videos and it's no wonder she still holds the record for the standing ovation at the Met - 42 gawddamn minutes.
She was born in Mississippi, the daughter of a lumber mill worker and a midwife. Music was instilled in her at an early age, being given a piano when she was only 3. At 14, she saw Marian Anderson perform which inspired her to sing.
She gained international fame starring in a revival of Porgy and Bess.
Years after her fame in Porgy and Bess, she broadened her horizons and transitioned to opera later becoming the face and one of the highest paid performers at the Met.
She's won over 15 Grammys, received Kennedy Center Honors and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Time magazine called her voice "Rich, supple and shining, it was in its prime capable of effortless soaring from a smoky mezzo to the pure soprano gold of a perfectly spun high C"
After retiring from opera, she still sang at recitals and performed spirituals.
Nigga - this talent.
Thank you to carminaburana for the idea inspiration!
Sources 1 2 3 4