(born 1927), U.S. opera singer. Born in Laurel, Miss., Price was a lyric spinto soprano who established a reputation in contemporary music before appearing regularly in opera. She performed at the world's foremost opera houses and on television, and some of her most memorable roles were in Porgy and Bess, Aïda, and Tosca. She was particularly praised for her Verdi roles. Price was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964 and the Spingarn Medal in 1965. (See also African Americans; Opera.)