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This Day in Black History: Jan. 27, 1961

Leontyne Price makes her debut at the Metropolitan Opera. Also, gospel singer Mahalia Jackson dies.

Famed soprano Leontyne Price makes her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, performing the role of Leonora in Verdi’s Il Trovatore. Price would become the first African-American to open a concert season there.

Also, on this day in 1961, world-renowned gospel singer and civil rights activist Mahalia Jackson dies at age 60. Jackson was hailed as the “Queen of Gospel” and recorded some 40 albums throughout her career.

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(Photo: Keystone/Getty Images)

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