Christa Ludwig
![Christa Ludwig in 2015](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/KS_Christa_Ludwig%2C_geboren_am_16._M%C3%A4rz_1928_in_Berlin%2C_deutsche_Opern-_und_Konzerts%C3%A4ngerin_%28Mezzosopran%29_wurde_zur_Ehrenpr%C3%A4sidentin_der_Hilde_Zadek_Stiftung_ernannt._%2817122239712%29_%28cropped%29.jpg)
She sang at many international opera houses and festivals, including at the Vienna State Opera from 1955 to 1994, and at the Metropolitan Opera in many roles. She is remembered for roles such as Mozart's Dorabella, Beethoven's Leonore in ''Fidelio'', Wagner's Kundry, and both Octavian and the Marschallin in ''Der Rosenkavalier'' by Richard Strauss. In Vienna, she created the title role of Gottfried von Einem's ''Der Besuch der alten Dame'' in 1971.
She is widely recognised as having been one of the most significant and distinguished singers of the 20th century. ''The NPR Listener's Encyclopedia of Classical Music'' (2006) stated "Ludwig possessed a voice of exquisite richness and, when needed, breathtaking amplitude. She had the ability to impart dramatic urgency to a performance, the hallmark of a great singer." Provided by Wikipedia