Singer travels west from Broadway to perform with Chicagoland Pops

As principal conductor of the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra, Arnie Roth has worked with some of the best -- Johnny Mathis, Linda Ronstadt and the Irish Tenors.

Yet, he saves some of his highest praise for a performer perhaps not as well known. Roth is thrilled to have vocalist Linda Eder perform with the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Rosemont Theatre.

"In my opinion, she comes as close to Barbra Streisand -- at her peak -- as any singer I've worked with," Roth said. "This is a voice that is absolutely astounding."

Broadway aficionados may know Eder from her nearly 900 performances in the Broadway musical, "Jeckyll and Hyde," however her fan base continues to grow with her recent recording, "By Myself: The Songs of Judy Garland," recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra.

"Judy Garland was a huge influence in my life," Eder said in a phone interview last week from her New York home. "I first saw her when I was 8, and I knew then that I wanted to be a singer."

Performing some of Garland's classic songs is always a treat, Eder said, but this upcoming performance in front of the 70-piece professional Chicagoland Pops Orchestra makes it even better, she said.

"I recorded the album with the London Symphony so to sing them again, with a full orchestra, will be great."

Roth, conducting the orchestra, agreed but notes her show will include more than Garland's songs. He described Eder as being equally adept at performing jazz standards as she is at musical theater and Broadway hits.

"She has great intonation and an unbelievable set of lungs," Roth said. "The comparison to Barbra Streisand, comes from her gigantic range and power, and her ability to sustain the notes."

Along with some of Eder's favorite Garland songs, look for her to perform numbers her fans always enjoy, including, "Man of La Mancha," and "Vienna," as well as "Someone Like You," from her role in "Jeckyll and Hyde."

Eder performed with Roth and the Chicagoland Pops during its first season in 2004, and she's returning by popular demand, Roth said.

She typically performs in the Chicago area once every year or so, but Roth concedes that she is not a household name.

"We're thrilled to be able to bring her back to the Chicago area, so fans here can see what an unbelievable singer she is," Roth said. "She's quite a talent, and I think she will knock their socks off."

He added, "In the early years of building a pops orchestra, it requires that we bring in well respected, major names, which help build an awareness and reputation."

If you go

What: Linda Eder with the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra

Where: Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont

Cost: $45-$60

Call: (312) 559-1212 or visit www.chicagolandpops.com