The rich sound of this soprano's voice is an opera specialist's delight, and can also serve as a gateway into classical singing. With her spinto sound—which includes lyric elegance and dramatic heft—she can translate the words of a Verdi heroine into a universally understandable language. Her ability to project feelings of intense longing makes for showstopping solo arias during operas such as Un Ballo in Maschera. As one of the first African American artists to break the color barrier at the Metropolitan Opera, Price's overall contribution to classical culture is historic on multiple levels.