Ludwig, Christa (1924– )

German mezzo. She studied with her mother and with Felice Hüni-Mihaček, making her debut in 1946. After appearing in a number of German opera houses she sang at the Salzburg Festival in 1954 as Cherubino, and was engaged at the Vienna Staatsoper in 1955. She was married to the baritone Walter Berry 1957–70. Her roles included the Dyer's Wife, Dido in Les Troyens, and Leonore (at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, from 1959); Amneris and Carmen (at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 1968 and 1976); Eboli, Lady Macbeth, Octavian, the Marschallin, Dorabella, and Brangaene. Her last appearance was as Clytemnestra in Elektra, at the Vienna Staatsoper on 14 December 1994. She was a frequent recitalist at Salzburg and elsewhere, and sang at the Wigmore Hall, London in 1993. Much admired in Mahler and for the vocal warmth and dramatic strength of her stage performances, hers was one of the great voices of the 20th century. Among her best recordings are Der Rosenkavalier (under Bernstein), Così fan tutte (Böhm), Das Lied von der Erde (Klemperer), and Norma (as Adalgisa).