18 Comments
User's avatar
Patricia Ross's avatar

Wonderful Andrew! Besides genes, often musicians run in families because music is a priority and passed on from parents to children. My father was an opera singer, brought over to Honolulu to sing Pinkerton in "Madame Butterfly" meeting my mother who happened to be in the chorus. My piano lessons started when I was 4, and although my father wanted me to sing and had me learn the role of Gilda in Rigoletto when I was 13, performing wasn't my cup of tea. Leontyne Price video transcendent! Looking forward to reading more!!!

Expand full comment
Andrew Jazprose Hill's avatar

What a delightful backstory you’ve got, Patricia. Pinkerton and Gilda, my oh my! What a household that must have been. So glad you mentioned that parents often influence their children to embrace music, whether consciously or not. Though not every child is willing or talented (e.g. Amy Tan), the exposure matters. Thanks for taking the time to check out my Leontyne Price essay. As for her video—transcendent nails it.

Expand full comment
Deborah Brasket's avatar

Beautiful! I love the way you weave together so many strands to create this moving tribute--Price's history, her famous cousins, genetics, the music of the spheres, Fascism, Marian Anderson, Ed Sullivan, as well as your neighbor's and your own history. Such a strong, rich, and moving tapestry. You do do her justice. I'm sure she would agree. And thank you for sharing the video with her strong, powerful presence singing that mighty prayer. Now I'm off to find more of her music to listen to. Summertime was always a favorite, so I'll see if I can find that.

Expand full comment
Andrew Jazprose Hill's avatar

It's gratifying, as always, to know that you enjoyed this piece, Deborah. Glad you saw it as the tapestry it is intended to be. Thanks so much for your kind words.

Ms. Price sings "Summertime" during the encore of her Atlanta recital in 1967. It's at 27:08 minutes into this link:

https://youtu.be/GJvgW6csx0I?si=shSg9vpyB8mevTzP

Hope you're able to pull it up.

Thanks again for your kindness, encouragement, and support.

Expand full comment
Eshon Allen's avatar

Thank you for this beautiful reminder of Leontyne Price’s greatness, but I’m especially grateful to you for telling the kind story of my dear mother Gwenn and grandfather H. Eugene Craig. Raised in the home of my grandfather throughout childhood and teen years, I too was well exposed to Leontyne and other great operatic voices. On weekends, my grandfather would let me pick a record from his vast catalogues of opera albums for me to listen to and him to sing along with (did you know he sang as well?). It’s why to this day I adore Rigoletto and Madame Butterfly, and why when I hear Leontyne sing, it brings tears to my eyes. As you so eloquently shared, she holds a very special place in our family’s hearts.

Expand full comment
Andrew Jazprose Hill's avatar

It's good to know your grandfather's cultural influence lives on in you, as it does in your wonderful and courageous mom. Thanks so much for reading my essay and for sharing your kind response. I'm really glad to know it touched your family's collective heart.

And no, I did not know your grandfather sang. Although your mom did say he had musical abilities, I thought she might have meant something like piano. Thanks again for taking time to comment on my piece. I really appreciate the thoughtful, loving kindness reflected in your comments today.

Expand full comment
Leon Brown, Jr.'s avatar

Thanks for this great post, Andrew!

Expand full comment
Andrew Jazprose Hill's avatar

And thanks to you too, Leon, for reading and restacking. Much appreciated!

Expand full comment
Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

It's good to know that Leontyne Price is still here among us - thank you, Andrew, for this wonderful tribute to a titanic and important artist. Now I'll need to give the Blue Album a much-needed relisten.

Expand full comment
Andrew Jazprose Hill's avatar

She's really something, isn't she? Thanks so much for reading and for sharing your response, Robert. I suspect you'll find the Blue Album even more delightful when you revisit.

Expand full comment
Diana M. Wilson's avatar

Well....I'd say you outdid yourself...but I seem to always say that...a powerful essay reminding us to stay brave and resolute. And side note...my mother adored Leontyne Price....she was a mainstay in our household....it was lovely to see her profiled in this glorious way. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Andrew Jazprose Hill's avatar

The more I hear about your dearly remembered mother, the more I like her, Diana. Thanks for sharing your encouraging response. I'm really glad you liked this piece.

Expand full comment
HELEN PAGE's avatar

You did her justice.

Expand full comment
Andrew Jazprose Hill's avatar

That’s what I was hoping. Thanks for reading and weighing in.

Expand full comment
Joe & Dana's avatar

Thank you, as always, dearest Andrew.

Expand full comment
Andrew Jazprose Hill's avatar

Thanks to you too, as always!

Expand full comment
perilbay's avatar

Thank you not only for this lovely tribute to an amazing woman but also to the link to her performance of the Lord's Prayer. Music really does touch the soul. As an aside, the aborigines of Australia could not understand how it was possible that the Europeans who came there could not hear the stars.

Expand full comment
Andrew Jazprose Hill's avatar

Fascinating! I didn’t know that. And I love it. Thanks so much for reading and sharing this terrific “side note.”

Expand full comment