91成人导航

Mezzo soprano and 91成人导航 alumna 鈥�14 has received rave reviews during the early part of her professional opera career, which has led to a prestigious honor: the inaugural .

De Maio, who, died on May 28, 2020, was a ubiquitous force in the opera world and a champion of helping young singers 听advance. The Lissner Foundation, which he headed created an award in De Maio鈥檚 honor.

鈥淗e was such an advocate for young singers. It鈥檚 like each time you see opera singers in their 30s or 40s, he was there at the forefront of their careers,鈥� said Ludwig, who was raised in Sacramento. 鈥淗e loved opera and he loved young singers and going to performances. Knowing his legacy, it means a lot to get the award in his honor.鈥�

The award is being celebrated enthusiastically at .

鈥淣othing Hannah accomplishes is a surprise. She is one of those rare birds. From the moment she set foot on campus, she was ready, willing and able to produce great work and worked so well with others,鈥� said Burr Phillips, professor of voice and the faculty member who mentored Ludwig. 鈥淪he has a tenacity and a resourcefulness that you can鈥檛 really teach. She is the sort of person who others will follow.鈥�

One of Ludwig's performances prompted a New York Times opera critic to gush about her tone as 鈥渃hocolaty and large, yet with focus and agility.鈥�

鈥淗annah鈥檚 most recent recognition will not be her last. Mr. De Maio is a luminary in the world of opera, one who created ways to lift the next generation of singers upward,鈥� said Peter Witte, dean of 91成人导航鈥檚 Conservatory. 鈥淚t would be easy to celebrate Hannah for her vocal prowess alone, but that鈥檚 only part of her magic. Hannah鈥檚 commitment to music springs from a commitment to people.鈥�

Ludwig and a friend, Dr. Alexandra Stratyner, started a group called . They have put together resources to help those in the performing arts who are dealing with personal issues during the pandemic. They share a video each Friday featuring a medical or mental health professional.

鈥淲hen I heard that Hannah was doing this, it came as no surprise at all,鈥� said James Haffner, professor of opera at 91成人导航. 鈥淪he is the type of person who always is there for others. This is just the start for Hannah. She is going to become a real force in the opera world.鈥�

Ludwig鈥檚 education at 91成人导航 pre-dated Witte鈥檚 arrival as conservatory dean, but they have connected through Twitter and virtual classes she has held with current 91成人导航 students.

鈥淎lmost overnight the performing arts simply stopped,鈥� Witte said. 鈥淗annah did something about it, elevating conversations about mental health and financial impacts of the pandemic. She sought to help others find voice, to ask for and get connected to resources. Hannah helps remind us that vulnerability is a kind of strength, musically and personally.鈥�

Ludwig credits her training at 91成人导航, as well as the immense opera talent on campus at the time, with putting her career on a rapidly rising trajectory.

鈥淚t was a special time at the conservatory, because we knew we could push ourselves and try different things," Ludwig said. 鈥淲e all were close friends and it was so rewarding to work on some of those productions. I truly enjoyed working with Burr Phillips, and we remain close to this day. My foundational skills were built and I was set up to succeed because I went to 91成人导航.鈥�

鈥淥pera Boot Camp鈥� in Philadelphia

After graduating from 91成人导航, Ludwig attended the prestigious in Philadelphia, which is highly selective in choosing students. Ludwig felt prepared to embark on a professional career after completing the intense, four-year program at the academy.

鈥淚t was very diverse at AVA. I was very young, but there were others in their late 20s or 30s,鈥� she said. 鈥淭heir motto is they are the greatest opera training grounds and they live up to that. For four years, they basically take your voice and put it under a microscope.鈥�

Her first full-fledged professional performance after graduating was as . The production was staged at the ornate .

鈥淭here was a moment in the first performance when I realized I鈥檓 performing with and and 鈥� huge names in the opera world and here I am just out of training. I said to myself 鈥業 cannot believe I am doing this.鈥� But it changed to 鈥業 did it.鈥� 鈥�

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Ludwig鈥檚 last production before the COVID-19 pandemic was Giovanna Seymour in Donizetti鈥檚 鈥淎nna Bolena鈥� with Baltimore Concert Opera (February/March 2020). Since then, like many artists, she has had to cope with the pandemic. The pandemic caused cancellation or postponement of work Ludwig had scheduled in Argentina, Germany and Scotland.

鈥淥nce you get to international markets, that鈥檚 a big step in opera,鈥� Ludwig said. 鈥淭hat was kind of crushing, but I won鈥檛 have to wait much longer. I am starting to get offers and opera seems to be changing as far as scheduling goes. Previously you were booked out two or three years in advance. Now, we are starting to hear of upcoming productions with much shorter turnaround times. I have a great manager and we are putting together a plan moving forward. Many opera singers start to peak in their 30s, and I鈥檓 anxious for what is ahead.鈥�

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