Aida

Leontyne Price

This soprano began her training in music at 5 and was a standout in opera, a genre blacks rarely specialize in. She toured internationally, playing the lead in "Tosca," "Aida" and other challenging roles.

In January 1961, Price became the first black woman to ... morelead a performance at the once-segregated Metropolitan Opera House in New York. Her performance triggered an ovation of 42 minutes.

The winner of more than a dozen Grammys, Price has also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Kennedy Center Honors. (Everett Collection)