One of the greatest voices ever recorded, Leontyne Price was the star soprano of the Metropolitan Opera from 1961-1985. She continued touring and giving concerts until 1997.
Born and bred in rural Mississippi, she was an accomplished pianist and (like many singers) fully intended to remain so.
Not until her sophomore year at Wilberforce College did the trajectory of her life change. When a soloist had to cancel, Leontyne Price, sitting at the piano, performed the solo in her stead.
She went on to study voice at Julliard. It was made possible by a scholarship from the Chisholm family, one of the most prominent families in Mississippi and the family of one of her best friends.
Ms. Price was unusual in that she championed the music of American composers, like Samuel Barber with whom she became great friends. She has said she feels she was born to sing the music of Barber, Verdi, and Strauss. It is music that highlights her many soaring strengths.
Although she had to endure many indignities while travelling in the early days (starting in 1952), perhaps her greatest strength is her unflappably positive attitude and her unmovable faith that she has something to offer the world.
Flexibility, a willingness to learn & to adapt
Her view of her role as a member of the Met Opera was to keep flexible and adapt to what is needed. The truth is, she said, "You can never be cavalier about it." Many directors have huge egos and "if they think you are rigid, you're finished."
Over the course of her career she sang the same role in totally different ways according to the vision of the director for a particular production, and found doing so exhilarating.
"Develop yourself so that you shine the brightest, but don't tinker. Enjoy it the way it is in its natural form. Develop it....But don't change it. That's you. That's what sets YOU apart. That's what makes someone...want YOU to sing and not someone else."
Intense care & study
Ms. Price enjoys a challenge. That helps. But even if you don't, much of the discipline and study required to produce art is such fun you don't notice how disciplined you really are.
To prepare for her iconic role of Cleopatra at the Metropolitan Opera, 1966, Ms. Price lived "almost like a nun" for one year. She read widely, studied, and even took singing lessons again from her voice teacher from Julliard, who taught her how to preserve her longevity: "Sing on your interest, not on your capital." And "the general philosophy is the EASE with which one produces the tones."
Furthermore, her job is to TUNE EVERYTHING OUT, all the flattery, all the criticism, and the potentially overwhelming sounds of the full orchestra and chorus next to you onstage. Focus only on your voice.
Art is spiritual
Serious singers know a great voice is a gift from God. You're born with what you're born with and there's nothing you can do about it, unlike other musicians who can upgrade their instruments. But with the voice, you are totally exposed. It's you, all of you out there performing, and you can't hide. You can play an instrument well when you're in a bad mood, but the full truth is on display when you sing.
Singers may be more aware that great art is spiritual. Transcendent. Real artists give of themselves to create from the inside out, giving voice to the human spirit.
Great artists are in touch with their inner child, fearlessly true, playful, sincere.
Sure, carnal artists (still) exist -- Degas, Rodin (which I never noticed until going to the Rodin Museum) -- but a cold eye serves no greater purpose. Far from nourishing the soul, it dead ends and saps it.
Great artists, as opposed to great imitators of artistic technique, transcend this earthly shell.
As Leontyne Price eloquently put it toward the end of an interview at the Kennedy Center Honors: "My voice. My voice is me. What can I say? My voice is what I think life is. My voice is beauty. My voice is America. My voice is my Blackness. My voice is love. My voice is, my voice is God. I hope I'm not-- That's it. That is what makes singing a wonderful experience....It's almost indescribable in its force to deliver an emotion. I think that's what makes singing such an exciting experience."
In sum, greatness requires keeping one's eye on the ball (not on oneself, as has become the norm today for many). When asked how she wants to be remembered, Leontyne Price answered for "having tried to be the best I can be."
