“Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century”
by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Raul Colon.
Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 2014, 32 pages, Grades 2-4.
Many people have to overcome obstacles in their lives. Sometimes these problems result from poor decisions, and at other times, events can happen to block the way.
But people can be injured through racial attitudes, as well. This is a particularly vicious type of problem because it judges people on their physical traits rather than their individuality.
While the racial history of the United States leaves much to be desired, the country has also shown an ability to transcend race. Sometimes, for this to happen, a specially gifted person must open the eyes of the nation. In sports, these people were Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson. In the fine arts, two talented black women, Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price paved the way to change. Carole Boston Weatherford tells the unusual story of Leontyne Price. The title of this fine picture book is “Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century.”
In the state of Mississippi, a section of land close to the Mississippi River is named “The Delta.” It is in the heart of the Cotton Belt and has long known poverty and a lack of opportunities. But many poor families, both black and white, have found a richness in their family unit.
Leontyne is born in 1927 into a caring family that made certain the children always had the necessities of life. Her parents nurtured her self-esteem and taught that black people could rise above the brutal racial hatred of the time.
Leontyne listens to the radio and hears opera for the first time. She cannot believe how beautiful the music sounds, and the emotions it conveys. She is also thrilled to learn that a black singer named Marian Anderson has broken through the color barrier for opera. It is quickly apparent to everyone that young Leontyne has a special and brilliant talent for singing.
After singing in church choirs for years, Miss Price graduates from high school and enrolls in Wilberforce College in Ohio. There her beautiful voice is recognized and she eventually is trained at the prestigious Julliard School of Music in New York. Her first great musical success came in the Broadway musical “Porgy and Bess.” But her talent became so obvious that she was chosen to sing in an opera. What happened?
Does Leontyne Price become a famous opera singer? What kind of voice is required to be an opera singer?
Can you sing an octave above Middle C? How does personality play into great singing? And finally, how does Leontyne Price show the entire nation why racism is so limiting and stupid?
To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and check out “Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century” by Carole Boston Weatherford.
The story of Leontyne Price demonstrates why people need to persevere. Many times in her life, she could just have thrown up her hands and given up. But she continued to strive for great things. Her victory was hard earned and well deserved.
The illustrations show her as a young girl aspiring to greatness. It is a beautiful book. I hope you get the chance to share her marvelous story with your family. I was impressed with the book and her life story. I think you will be as well. Enjoy!
