LONDON — Dame Margaret Price, an opera star considered one of the world’s leading sopranos, died of heart failure Friday at her home in Wales, according to British press reports. She was 69.
Ms. Price, who rose to prominence after her debut as Cherubino in Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro’’ at the Welsh National Opera in 1962, had performed in most of the world’s great opera houses by the time she retired in 1999.
She was known for the striking purity and beauty of her voice.
After her debut in Wales, Ms. Price went on to play Cherubino at the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden in London.
An early triumph in the United States was in Mozart’s “The Magic Flute’’ in San Francisco in 1969, which she followed with stunning performances of other Mozart works in Germany.
During her career, Ms. Price was honored in many countries, received honorary degrees from top universities, and was made a dame commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 1993. She also appeared on numerous records and performed for television.
No details were available on arrangements for her funeral, expected to be held this week.