Christia Ludwig, a renowned soprano and mezzo-soprano, offers a breathtaking collection of operatic arias and scenes in her album "Christa Ludwig." Released on January 1, 2016, under the Orfeo label, this album spans a remarkable three hours and fifty minutes, showcasing Ludwig's extraordinary vocal range and interpretive depth. The album is a testament to her illustrious career, featuring iconic pieces from some of the most celebrated operas in the classical repertoire.
The tracklist is a veritable feast for opera enthusiasts, encompassing works by composers such as Mozart, Wagner, Verdi, Strauss, and Puccini. From the playful and witty "Le nozze di Figaro" by Mozart to the intense and dramatic "Wozzeck" by Alban Berg, Ludwig's performances are marked by their technical brilliance and emotional resonance. The album also includes lesser-known gems like "Palestrina" by Pfitzner and "Der Besuch der alten Dame" by Hindemith, demonstrating Ludwig's versatility and curiosity as an artist.
Ludwig's voice, rich and velvety in its lower register and soaring and crystalline in its upper reaches, is perfectly suited to the diverse roles she tackles. Whether she is portraying the anguish of Elektra in Strauss's opera of the same name or the playful charm of the Countess in "Der Rosenkavalier," her performances are imbued with a deep understanding of the characters and their motivations.
This album is not just a collection of arias but a comprehensive exploration of Ludwig's artistry. It offers a unique opportunity to experience the full range of her talents, from her exquisite phrasing and impeccable diction to her ability to convey the subtlest nuances of emotion. Whether you are a seasoned opera aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, "Christa Ludwig" is a treasure trove of musical delights that will leave you enchanted and inspired.
2016 Orfeo2016 Orfeo
Tracks
Le nozze di Figaro, K. 492: Non so più cosa sonWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Christa Ludwig, Wiener Philharmoniker, Karl Böhm
Ariadne auf Naxos, Op. 60, TrV 228a: Sein wir wieder gutRichard Strauss, Christa Ludwig, Wiener Philharmoniker, Karl Böhm
Così fan tutte, K. 588 (Sung in German): O sieh doch nur, SchwesterWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Josef Krips, Karl Böhm, Christa Ludwig, Vienna State Opera Chorus
Così fan tutte, K. 588 (Sung in German): Grausames Schicksal! Sagen willWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Christa Ludwig, Vienna State Opera Chorus, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Josef Krips, Karl Böhm
Così fan tutte, K. 588 (Sung in German): Schwankend na' ichWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Karl Böhm, Christa Ludwig, Vienna State Opera Chorus, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Josef Krips
Così fan tutte, K. 588 (Sung in German): Passegglamo anche nol - il core vi donoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Christa Ludwig, Vienna State Opera Chorus, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Josef Krips, Karl Böhm
La Cenerentola: Liebste ... Ramiro, verzeiht mir (Sung in German)Gioachino Rossini, Christa Ludwig, Vienna State Opera Chorus, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper
Fidelio, Op. 72: Abscheulicher! Wo eilst du hin? - Komm, Hoffnung, lass den letzten SternLudwig van Beethoven, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Herbert von Karajan
Tannhäuser, WWV 70: Geliebter, komm!Richard Wagner, Christa Ludwig, Vienna State Opera Chorus, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Herbert von Karajan
Wozzeck, Op. 7: Und ist kein Betrug in seinem Munde erfunden wordenAlban Berg, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Leopold Ludwig
Wozzeck, Op. 7: Dort links geht's in die StadtAlban Berg, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Leopold Ludwig
Die Frau ohne Schatten, Op. 65, TrV 234: Schweigt doch, ihr Stimmen!Richard Strauss, Herbert von Karajan, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper
Capriccio, Op. 85, TrV 279: Frau Grafin, das Souper ist serviertRichard Strauss, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Georges Prêtre
Palestrina: Schonste, ungnad' ge DameHans Pfitzner, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Robert Heger
Lohengrin, WWV 75: Erhebe dich, Genossin meiner Schmach!Richard Wagner, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Karl Böhm
Lohengrin, WWV 75: Elsa! ... Wer ruft?Richard Wagner, Karl Böhm, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper
Carmen, WD 31: Mais nous ne voyons pas la Carmencita!Georges Bizet, Christa Ludwig, Vienna State Opera Chorus, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Lorin Maazel
Carmen, WD 31: Pres des reparts de SevilleGeorges Bizet, Christa Ludwig, Vienna State Opera Chorus, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Lorin Maazel
Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, TrV 227: Da geht er hinRichard Strauss, Leonard Bernstein, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Josef Krips
Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, TrV 227: Mir ist die Ehre widerfahrenRichard Strauss, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Josef Krips, Leonard Bernstein
Macbeth: Nel di della vittoria io le incontraiGiuseppe Verdi, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Karl Böhm
Macbeth: Perche mi sfuggi, e fiso - La luce langueGiuseppe Verdi, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Karl Böhm
Macbeth: Una macchia e qui tutt'oraGiuseppe Verdi, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Karl Böhm, Christa Ludwig
Der Besuch der alten Dame: Das herz mit deinem und meinem NamenGottfried von Einem, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Horst Stein
Luisa Miller: DuchessaGiuseppe Verdi, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Alberto Erede
Les Troyens: Pardonne, iopasHector Berlioz, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Gerd Albrecht
Das Rheingold: Weiche, Wotan, weiche! Flieh' des Ringes Fluch!Richard Wagner, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Zubin Mehta, Christa Ludwig
The Queen of Spades, Op. 68: Scheigt doch endlichPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Dmitri Kitayenko
Falstaff: La Bella AliceGiuseppe Verdi, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Lorin Maazel
Pelléas et Mélisande, L. 88: Voici ce qu'il ecrit a son frere PelleasClaude Debussy, Christa Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Claudio Abbado
Elektra, Op. 58, TrV 223: Was willst du? Seht doch, dort!Richard Strauss, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Heinrich Hollreiser, Christa Ludwig