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This superfluous sorparno was born on February 10, 1927 in Laurel, Mississippi. A wise man once said "You can either have a silent, hidden voice in the folds of oblivion or a voice that causes the heavens to tremble." A long time ago Leontyne Price decided that she would make her voice one that shook audiences. Using her voice to sing to the world Price was able to create a atmosphere where rawest human emotions could be seen and felt in under three hours. As child Price grew up signing in around the house and in her church choir in Mississippi. Even as a child she knew she wanted to make singing her life's work. So as a young 18 year old she attended Central Sate College in Wilberforce, Ohio and specialized in vocal training. To her surprise Price got accepted to The Julliard School of Music in New York City. But she feared she would not able to attend because she could afford the tuition. But do some gracious donors in her hometown and the wonderful talented Paul Robenson she was able to pack her bags and head of to the big apple. Due to her training under the renowned voice coach, Page Kimball at Julliard Price made her debut performance on Broadway in 1952 in Thomson's 4 Saints in 3 Acts. Getting rave reviews for her first performance caught the eyes of many opera directors and she was booked for several roles including Poppea. Butterfly, and Anna and Elvira. But her most famous role was "Aida" which debuted at the Statsoper of Wien and at Covent Garden in 1958, and at La Scala in 1960. This role gained the critical acclaim and internationally acceptance that Price had been waiting for. Due to her struggles and breaking of the glass ceiling Price made it easier for her fellow operatic sistahs to come the door including Marian Anderson, Denice Graves, and Kathleen Battle. |
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