Nelle Richmond Eberhart
Nelle Richmond Eberhart (August 28, 1871 – November 15, 1944) was an American librettist, poet, and teacher. She is known for her long collaboration with composer Charles Wakefield Cadman. She wrote 200 songs and the librettos for five operas for which he composed the music. Early life Eberhart was born Ellen Loretta McCurdy in 1871 in Detroit, Michigan, daughter of John Thomas and Cora Amelia Newton McCurdy. Her mother remarried. At an early age, Nelle was given her stepfather's surname, Richmond. Her family moved to Nebraska, where she was raised. As a young woman she developed a strong interest in music. She gained certification and taught school. In 1894 Richmond married Oscar Eberhart, a physician. They had a daughter together, Constance Richmond Eberhart. She became an opera singer and teacher of voice. She sang as a member of the Chicago Civic Opera and the American Opera Company. Career The Eberhart family moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1900 for her husband's work. In 1902, Eberhart met a young neighbor Charles Wakefield Cadman. When she learned he was studying and writing music, they began to work together. She wrote the words for a hymn and he the music, for their first song.