Birth

:

May 4, 1930 in Bronx, NY

Death

:

January 18, 2017 in Rye, NY

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Roberta Peters was an American soprano who was born on May 4, 1930, in the Bronx, New York. She was the youngest of three children born to Jewish parents. Her father was a shoe salesman, and her mother was a homemaker. Peters showed an early interest in music and began singing in her synagogue choir at the age of six. Peters attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City, where she studied voice with William Herman. She made her professional debut at the age of 18, singing the role of Zerlina in Mozart's "Don Giovanni" with the Miami Opera Company. Her performance was well-received, and she was soon offered a contract with the Metropolitan Opera. Peters made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1950, at the age of 20, singing the role of the Queen of the Night in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." Her performance was a sensation, and she quickly became one of the most popular sopranos at the Met. She went on to sing many other roles at the Met, including Rosina in Rossini's "The Barber of Seville," Gilda in Verdi's "Rigoletto," and Lucia in Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor." Peters was known for her clear, bright voice and her ability to sing high notes with ease. She was also known for her acting ability and her ability to bring emotion to her performances. She was a favorite of many conductors, including Leonard Bernstein, who called her "a miracle of a singer." Peters was also a popular concert artist and appeared with many orchestras around the world. She made several recordings, including a highly acclaimed recording of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Peters received many awards and honors during her career. In 1958, she was awarded the Handel Medallion by the City of New York for her contributions to the arts. In 1998, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Bill Clinton. She was also inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 1999. Peters retired from the Metropolitan Opera in 1985, after 35 years with the company. She continued to perform in concerts and recitals for several years after her retirement. She also taught voice at the Mannes College of Music in New York City. Peters was married twice. Her first marriage, to Robert Merrill, a baritone at the Metropolitan Opera, ended in divorce. She later married Bertram Fields, a lawyer. Peters had two children, a son and a daughter, from her first marriage. Peters was known for her philanthropy and was involved with many charitable organizations. She was a supporter of the Metropolitan Opera Guild and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She also established the Roberta Peters Scholarship Fund at the Mannes College of Music. Peters died on January 18, 2017, at the age of 86, in Rye, New York. She was remembered by many as one of the greatest sopranos of the 20th century and a true ambassador for classical music.

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