Leontyne Price's Extraordinary High Notes

Leontyne Price was legendary for many reasons—her extraordinary voice, her commanding stage presence, and the sheer artistry she brought to every role she sang. But among her many vocal gifts, one of the most awe-inspiring was her ability to sustain radiant, thrilling high notes with effortless power and beauty.

A few years ago, her brother shared a remarkable detail about her daily vocal routine: well into her 90s, she would still vocalize up to the Queen of the Night’s high F every morning! That’s a note reserved for some of the most agile and extreme sopranos, yet Price, known more for her lush, golden lyrico-spinto voice, effortlessly soared into that stratosphere.

On stage, Price was judicious about showcasing her extreme high register, using it strategically rather than as a mere display of vocal fireworks. But in the recording studio, she left us stunning examples of her upper range, from gleaming B naturals to electrifying high E naturals. These moments capture the full brilliance of her technique and the expressive depth she brought to each note.

Her high C in O patria mia from Aida is the stuff of legend—a note that seems to float effortlessly, glowing with warmth and aching with emotion. Her recordings of Verdi and Puccini abound with dazzling high notes. Still, she also delighted in occasional forays into music that pushed the limits of her range, leaving us a thrilling record of what she was truly capable of.

For those who want to experience the full majesty of Leontyne Price’s high notes, the High Note Society has curated a special Spotify playlist featuring some of her most iconic moments in the recording studio, including several arias that were staples of her opera and concert repertoire.