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On February 12, 1958, opera singer Gloria Davy became the first black woman to sing the legendary performance of “Aida” at the New York Met. The role of Aida, (whose character was an Ethiopian princess), had always been played by white singers in dark makeup. Davy was a beauty of the stage and had already performed for many years in Europe. She was praised for the use of her soprano tone in a unique way. She knew how to attain maximum vocal ability at the lowest volumes.