Christa Ludwig

Christa Ludwig , 1928-, German mezzo-soprano, b. Berlin. The daughter of opera singers, she debuted (1946) as Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus at the Frankfurt State Opera and starred at the Vienna State Opera from her debut as Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro in 1955 until her retirement from singing in 1994. Her first American performance took place in Chicago in 1959, the same year she debuted at New York's Metropolitan Opera. One of the outstanding mezzos of her generation, she had an unusually expressive voice and broad vocal range. Among her signature roles were Dorabella in Così fan tutte, Kundry in Parsifal, the Dyer's Wife in Die Frau ohne Schatten, and the title role in Carmen. Also adept at lieder, Ludwig was a particularly impressive interpreter of Mahler's songs.

Bibliography: See her memoir, In My Own Voice (1999).

Ludwig, Christa (b Berlin, 1924). Ger. soprano and mezzo-soprano. Début Frankfurt 1946 (Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus), remaining until 1952. Sang in opera in Darmstadt, Hanover, and Hamburg. Salzburg Fest. début 1955, appearing there regularly until 1993. Vienna Opera 1955–93. Amer début Chicago 1959; NY Met début 1959; CG début 1968. Outstanding Marschallin and Oktavian, Eboli and Leonore (Fidelio). Also noted interpreter of Lieder, Mahler's orch. song-cycles, Verdi Requiem, etc. Retired 1994.