Roberta Peters was an American actress and world-famous opera soprano, best known for her performances in “City Hall,” “The Captive,” and “Die Zauberflöte.”
Personal and Family Life
Roberta Peters was born on May 4, 1930, in New York City, New York. She was the daughter of Ruth (Hersch) and Solomon Peterman, having Russian Jewish and Austrian Jewish heritage. Peters was married twice; first to Robert Merrill, though their marriage ended in divorce, and later to Bertram Fields, with whom she had two children and remained married until his death in 2010.
Career Highlights
Starting her remarkable career at an early age, Roberta made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1950 as Zerlina in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” She gained prominence through her stunning performances, including an impressive record of appearing 65 times on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” In 1998, she was honored with the American National Medal of the Arts for her contributions to the arts.
Death and Legacy
Roberta Peters passed away on January 18, 2017, in Rye, New York, due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. Her legacy as a talented soprano remains strong, remembered for her extraordinary vocal abilities and contributions to both opera and television.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Tonight We Sing | 1953-01-26 | Elsa Valdine |
| Die Zauberflöte | 1964-01-01 | Königin der Nacht |
| Musical Comedy Tonight III | 1985-11-22 | |
| City Hall | 1996-02-16 | Nettie Anselmo |
| The Ed Sullivan Show | 1948-06-20 | Self |
| Hotel | 1982-08-21 | |
| Medical Center | 1969-09-24 | |
| The Merv Griffin Show | 1962-10-01 | Self |
| Erkennen Sie die Melodie? | 1970-05-23 | Self |
| Continental Showcase | 1966-06-11 | Self |
| Einer wird gewinnen | 1964-01-25 | Self |
| The Bell Telephone Hour | 1959-01-12 | Self |
| The Mike Douglas Show | 1961-12-11 | Self |