Leontyne Price | Backstage & In Performance Opens The New Met | 1966 Documentary

"Backstage & In Performance" is a 1966 television special documenting Leontyne Price's historic opening of the new Metropolitan Opera House in Barber's "Antony and Cleopatra."
#LeontynePrice #MariaCallas #Opera #ClassicalMusic

[@sashineb.2114]

Thank you. I saw her in performance twice. In 1978, as we were leaving the hall, a small crowd of people was waiting near the stage. We went up and asked what they were waiting for. They said there was a chance that Miss Price would see well-wishers backstage, so we hung around. Sure enough, we were taken backstage. Miss Price was very friendly and interested in what people had to say, and she graciously autographed my copy of the program that contained her song selections for the recital.

[@delphineblue]

I know this particular video is a documentary you have shared. But I swear, the research you put into your videos should be in the Smithsonian. I am not a musician or singer, but I so enjoy your work on this aspect of our Black American culture.

[@smurf902]

This whole KZbin channel is a marvel! Some fantastic videos here.

[@NCinNYC]

Boy, am I ever lucky that Leontyne Price sang during my lifetime. And so grateful for every video, every audio recording. She was the Queen of all she surveys.

[@tomlarge3065]

My sentiments exactly. Amen!

[@colortura]

Leontyne one of the greatest diva's of all time.

[@omrij19]

OMG thank you for sharing! Ms Price is the greatest American Prima Donna IMO ❤

[@mariateresaschniebs4929]

Corrección... UNA de las más grandes que dió el arte lírico ❤

[@omrij19]

@@mariateresaschniebs4929 Estoy de acuerdo ❤

[@JWP452]

I saw her in Doubleday bookstore in NYC. She was wearing a full length mink coat and was surrounded by an adoring entourage. :)

[@janeyb1536]

Dionnes & Whitneys cousin once removed Cissy's 1st Cousin. What amazing talented family❤

[@coreyjamontsmith917]

Sadly, that’s not true based upon what The Price family has said.

[@divinesarah]

Thanks for sourcing this important archival film! I've heard Leontyne Price discuss this event but didn't dream there existed behind the scenes footage of rehearsal, and attendees like Price's father 🙏🏼❤️

[@SistaSource]

This is so beautiful. Thank you!

[@paullewis2413]

Wow, it’s amazing what KZbin can bring us documentaries etc that we never knew existed. Though I believed the opera was not a success to see all this talent in rehearsal is wonderful. Schippers was a great conductor, died much too young and of course Leontyne Price, Franco Zeffirelli and Rudolf Bing are operatic legends.

[@katharinaheckmann4962]

Love your work! ❤

[@priscamolotsi]

I love Leontyne Price❤! Thank you for uploading this great video!

[@sheenabees]

Thank you again, Milik! You're a gem.🥰

[@anonymouss974]

amazing so far! very appreciative to experience this, thanks!

[@tonyandrade8131]

Outstanding!!! Thank you so much for posting!! What a triumphant achievement on everyone part that must have been. All the behind the scenes drama really paid off in the end.

[@Winysamuel]

Thank you for unearthing this treasure for us to watch. I am totally riveted. This a world another universe for a bird’s eye view…WOW! I’ve been transported ❤

[@bskeete]

Loved it!!! Thank you!!!

[@divox9pqr]

I am astounded and shocked that no film exists to my knowledge to document the full length performance of this musical phenomenon.

[@VanTheeBrand]

The Drinkard family produced some vocal prodigies; Leontyne, Cissy, Dionne AND Whitney! 😮‍💨 That bloodline was divine vocal royalty! 🫶🏾

[@coreyjamontsmith917]

Sadly, this isn’t true; The Price family has confirmed it.

[@lyndawilliams4570]

Brava! Brava! ❤❤❤

[@ferrisburgh802]

This was truly great..

[@findingfreedom-definingtru4818]

Thank you, what a treat!!! 🤩

[@2906nico]

Truly wonderful.

[@dantewalston2755]

Thank you so much for this, what a truly great artist she was!!!

[@Arnold3135]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. for this rare and riveting documentary performance.

[@revmiguel2000]

Schippers was gorgeous! ❤

[@sanfordpress8943]

Thomas Schippers! Imagine him your bed

[@paullewis2413]

A great talent who died far too young, but unfortunately that doesn’t appear to be unusual.

[@caninbar]

Too bad we have to see those words and digits throughout the video. Wonderful documentation!

[@sanfordpress8943]

Elias !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wonderful

[@sanfordpress8943]

She was gracious and grand and had no problem letting you know how great she was. Self worth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@sanfordpress8943]

Omg omg. This is a treasure

[@noellearchives]

MOTHER!!!!!

[@FaustinaBordoni]

You know it!

[@talismon63]

YES MAME!!

[@darnellanthony41]

Wow

[@michaeltres]

Price did an amazing job. Too bad the production overwhelmed and the music underwhelmed.

[@stache1954]

She is just a regular gal. Saw her going into a stage door and she said "Hi guys!" - 💘

[@kennywesley]

sight read!!!!

[@smurf902]

It's unbelievable they'd smoke right in the presence of the singers. Do you realize how any little thing can mess up the voice?

[@SvenErik_Lindstrom3]

Structural racism has done me wrong! I am entitled to reparations!

[@williesullivan3985]

Geez! Leontyne sounds so GLORIOUS here. None of that constricted and whoofy singing that started with her in the 70s and by the 80s made her borderline unlistenable. THIS is Miss Price in her GLORY!

[@caninbar]

I adore Leontyne Price and admire all of these great artists, but the music of composers like Barber could only be temporary and receive limited and local success. This music tires the ears and soul. The great opera composers have no rival in this sort of music.

[@smurf902]

I agree. To have opened the Met with the subpar, atonal work? Lord ...

[@robertgordon862]

@@smurf902 This music is about as far away from atonal as you can get. Probably you don't really know what the word "atonal" means.

[@FredWic]

I was at the opening night performance. The singers were great, but the opera was a flop..

[@jean-jacquessimon6703]

Avec le recul, on impute ce retentissant échec à la mise en scène et à la pitoyable machinerie.

[@jaysoulxselah8260]

She and cissy houston look like they could be related 🤔

[@rbaltimo]

They are related

[@omrij19]

They are cousins ❤

[@JColeman-if9cp]

No we are not.

[@djgualtiermaldeCO]

what a dreadful opera. no wonder it was completely forgotten

[@smurf902]

And yet we have Glass's AKHENATEN and the other bullshit operas and everyone thinks they're amazing.