Roberta Peters echoes intricately on high

THE SONGBIRD: The career of Roberta Peters (1930 - 2017) is likely familiar to most opera and high soprano fans, starting with her famed 1950 debut at the Met as a last-minute Zerlina substitute for Nadine Conner, which made her an overnight sensation. She was on the Met's roster for 35 years (over 500 appearances with the company) and sang with other regional companies and toured regularly in concert and recital. Peters became a celebrity in American magazines, television shows, and movies — there was even a memorable American Express card TV commercial ("Taxi!!") that you can see on YouTube here:    • American Express ad w/Roberta Peters ...  .

THE MUSIC: Karl Eckert was a 19th century German conductor and composer. He was a child musical prodigy in Berlin who went to become a concert piano soloist, and the kapellmeister at the Berlin State Opera. He wrote at least five romantic operas, but is only known today -- if at all -- for this pleasant coloratura concert piece titled "Echolied," a favorite recital selection for golden age sopranos.