As classical music enjoyed a post-war renaissance, Christa Ludwig - born in
Berlin, Germany on March 16, 1928 - became a star mezzo-soprano of the era,
known for her passionate, theatrical performances, fluid, immaculate delivery
and mastery of Richard Wagner's most challenging roles. Born in Berlin to two
opera singers, the family moved to Aachen where her father was a theatre
director and her mother was the house mezzo-soprano. Christa Ludwig grew up
learning cello, piano and flute and after the war ended she sang Gershwin songs
for American soldiers in return for cigarettes. S...