 He made his professional debut in 1956 with The Experimental Opera Theatre of America (affiliated with the New Orleans Opera Association), as Baron Scarpia in Giacomo Puccini's "Tosca", conducted by Renato Cellini and directed by Armando Agnini.The very next year, he first appeared with the New York City Opera, as Dr Falke in Johann Strauss II's "Die Fledermaus", opposite Phyllis Curtin.With the City Opera, Ludgin was heard in many roles, including what was perhaps his greatest success, John Proctor in the world premiere of Robert Ward's "The Crucible" (1961, with Norman Treigle as the Reverend John Hale).