Opera singer profiled: Christa Ludwig was one of the most important mezzo sopranos of the mid-twentieth century. Info: Christa Ludwig bio and Christa Ludwig recording

Name: Christa Ludwig

Voice type: mezzo soprano

Born: March 16, 1928; Berlin, Germany

Died: n/a

Key Roles:

Christa Ludwig performed a majority of the major lyric mezzo soprano repertoire. Later in her career she ventured from lyric to the dramatic and briefly dramatic soprano repertoire.

Carmen (Carmen), Kundry (Parsifal), Klytemnestra (Elektra), Octavia (L’incoronazione di Poppea), Charlotte (Werther), Fricka (Die Walküre), Dido (Les Troyens), Marschallin (Rosenkavalier)

Ludwig is also noted for her interpretation of Lieder, including works by Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Wolf, Mahler, and Strauss. She is also known for her recordings of Bach.

Christa Ludwig's Career Highlights:

· Born into a musical family; father, Anton, was a tenor and mother, Eugenie was a mezzo soprano.

· Studied primarily with her mother.

· Operatic debut Frankfort, Orlovsky, Die Fledermaus in at the age of 18

· Sang in Darmstadt and Hannover

· Joined Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera) in 1955 and sang there for 30 years

· Salzburg debut, Cheribino, Le Nozze di Figaro in (1954)

· American debut, Chicago Lyric, Dorabella, Così fan tutte (1959)

· Metropolitan Opera Debut, Cheribino (Dec 1959)

· Royal Opera House, Covent Garden debut, Amneris, Aida (1969)

· Ludwig was married to baritone, Walter Berry (1957-1970)

· Married to French stage manager, Jean-Emile Deiber (1972-)

· Farewell tour 1993-94

· Currently, Christa Ludwig gives master classes and lectures internationally to young singers.

Christa Ludwig's Key recordings:

Bartók: Duke Bluebeard's Castle / Kertész, Christa Ludwig, Berry; London/Decca Legends Catalog: 466377

Beethoven: Fidelio / Klemperer, Christa Ludwig, Vickers, Frick; EMI Great Recordings Of The Century Catalog: 67361

Mahler: Das Lied Von Der Erde /Klemperer, Ludwig, Wunderlich; EMI Great Recordings Of The Century Catalog: 66944

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