Peters, Roberta (1930–)
Peters, Roberta (1930–)
American soprano. Born Roberta Peterman, May 4, 1930, in NY, NY; Elmira College, LittD, 1967; Ithaca College, MusD, 1968; m. Robert Merrill (opera singer), 1952 (div.); m. Bertram Fields, 1955.
Studied with William Pierce Hermann; made Metropolitan debut as Zerlina in Don Giovanni (1950) and was an overnight sensation; remained at Met for 35 seasons, singing most frequently Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Don Pasquale, Lucia di Lammermoor, Die Zauberflöte (as Queen of the Night) and Rigoletto; also performed beside Marian Anderson in Anderson's historic debut at the Met (1954) and created the role of Kitty in US premiere of Menotti's The Last Savage; debuted at Salzburg (1963) and Kirov Opera, Leningrad, and Bolshoi Opera, Moscow (1972); appeared frequently on tv (including commercials and some 65 visits to "The Ed Sullivan Show") and in film and musical comedy; retired from Met (1987). Awarded the Handel Medallion (2000).
See also autobiography (with Louis Biancolli) Debut at the Met (1967); and Women in World History.