Fanny Westerdahl
Encyclopedia
Fanny Amalia Westerdahl, also Fanny Hjortsberg (21 February 1817 - 27 March 1873), was a Swedish stage actress, who performed from 1829 to 1862. She also participated in some opera performances. She is counted as one of the most notable dramatic actresses at the Royal Dramatic Theatre
in mid-19th-century Sweden
in 1828. Her father was a concert conductor
. She debuted in 1829 (at age 12), and had her breakthrough in 1831, as "Carolina" in Baschan in Suresne. She was made premier actress at the Royal Dramatic Theatre
in 1836.
Fanny Westerdahl belonged to the elite of dramatic actors on the Swedish stage of her time, which can also be seen at her salary: in 1843, she had a salary of 1400 $. In comparisson, she had the same salary as Anders Selinder
, the Ballet master of the Royal Swedish Ballet
, and the stars Emilie Högquist
and Nils Almlöf
had 1600. She retired in 1862, but continued as a guest actor for several years.
Westerdahl was a dramatic actress, but she also occasionally participated in some opera performances, such as when she replaced Elisabeth Frösslind
in Cendrillon
. In dramatic parts, she is considered to have filled the place of Sara Torsslow
in the theatre.
Her best-known roles include: "Louise" in Kabal and Kärlek, "Johanna af Montfaucon" or "Griselda", Amalia in Röfvarbandet, and "Katarina Månsdotter" in Erik XIV. Her singing roles include "Cendrillon
" and "Papagena" in Trollflöyten, and "Bettly" in Alphyddan.
In 1858, Westerdahl was considered an example of the outdated old recitative way of acting. When she wished to play one of her old heroine parts, she was told: "Madam is too old!" At this point, she was described as overweight, a drunk and with a frivolous mouth, but talented in comedy, and she was recommended by August Bournonville
as an example of good instinct and fantasy in contrast to mere education.
She was married in 1837 to the actor Carl Edvard Hjortsberg, son of Lars Hjortsberg
, and divorced in 1849. After her divorce, she called herself Mrs Westerdahl.
Fanny Westerdahl died in Stockholm, on 27 March 1873.
Royal Dramatic Theatre
The Royal Dramatic Theatre is Sweden's national stage for "spoken drama", founded in 1788. Around one thousand shows are put on annually on the theatre's eight running stages....
in mid-19th-century Sweden
Career
Fanny Westerdahl was accepted as a student at Dramatens elevskolaDramatens elevskola
Dramatens elevskola, i.e. Kungliga Dramatiska Teaterns Elevskola, or in Eng: The Royal Dramatic Theatre's acting school, was the acting school of Sweden's national stage, The Royal Dramatic Theatre, and for many years seen as the foremost theatre school and drama education for Swedish stage actors...
in 1828. Her father was a concert conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
. She debuted in 1829 (at age 12), and had her breakthrough in 1831, as "Carolina" in Baschan in Suresne. She was made premier actress at the Royal Dramatic Theatre
Royal Dramatic Theatre
The Royal Dramatic Theatre is Sweden's national stage for "spoken drama", founded in 1788. Around one thousand shows are put on annually on the theatre's eight running stages....
in 1836.
Fanny Westerdahl belonged to the elite of dramatic actors on the Swedish stage of her time, which can also be seen at her salary: in 1843, she had a salary of 1400 $. In comparisson, she had the same salary as Anders Selinder
Anders Selinder
Anders Selinder , , was a Swedish dancer, Ballet master, choreographer and director. He was master of the Royal Swedish Ballet in 1833-1856....
, the Ballet master of the Royal Swedish Ballet
Royal Swedish Ballet
The Royal Swedish Ballet is one of the oldest ballet companies in Europe. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, King Gustav III founded the ballet in 1773 as a part of his national cultural project in response to the French and Italian dominance in this field; he also founded the Royal Swedish Opera and the...
, and the stars Emilie Högquist
Emilie Högquist
Emilie Sophie Högquist was a Swedish actress and the mistress of Oscar I of Sweden. She was a star of the Royal Dramatic Theatre, the most celebrated dramatic Swedish primadonna of her time, called the Swedish Aspasia, and also famous for her love affairs...
and Nils Almlöf
Nils Almlöf
Nils Vilhelm Almlöf, was a Swedish actor, considered as one of the most famous in the 19th century, called "The Swedish Talma".Child of a court servant, Nils Almlöf, he interrupted his medical studies to study singing under Craelius of the Royal Swedish Opera, where he was successful as Leicester...
had 1600. She retired in 1862, but continued as a guest actor for several years.
Westerdahl was a dramatic actress, but she also occasionally participated in some opera performances, such as when she replaced Elisabeth Frösslind
Elisabeth Frösslind
Kristina Elisabet Frösslind, also called Elise Frösslind, Kristina Elisabet Frösslind, also called Elise Frösslind, Kristina Elisabet Frösslind, also called Elise Frösslind, (27 February 1793 - 24 October 1861, was a Swedish opera singer and actor at the Royal Swedish Opera and the Royal Dramatic...
in Cendrillon
Cendrillon
Cendrillon is an opera—described as a "fairy tale"—in four acts by Jules Massenet to a French libretto by Henri Cain based on Perrault's 1698 version of the Cinderella fairy tale. The scenario was conceived by Massenet and Cain at the Cavendish Hotel while they were in London for the...
. In dramatic parts, she is considered to have filled the place of Sara Torsslow
Sara Torsslow
Sara Fredrica Torsslow, née Strömstedt was a Swedish actor at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm and one of the most popular and notable actors in Swedish history.- Biography :...
in the theatre.
Her best-known roles include: "Louise" in Kabal and Kärlek, "Johanna af Montfaucon" or "Griselda", Amalia in Röfvarbandet, and "Katarina Månsdotter" in Erik XIV. Her singing roles include "Cendrillon
Cendrillon
Cendrillon is an opera—described as a "fairy tale"—in four acts by Jules Massenet to a French libretto by Henri Cain based on Perrault's 1698 version of the Cinderella fairy tale. The scenario was conceived by Massenet and Cain at the Cavendish Hotel while they were in London for the...
" and "Papagena" in Trollflöyten, and "Bettly" in Alphyddan.
Critique
Fanny Westerdahl was described as beautiful, with good voice technique, both while speaking and singing, with a fast and skillful mimick and a good comprehension of her part. In 1838, she made a study trip to Paris. In 1849, she was named as the only one of the theatre's actresses truly suited for great drama and recommended for her natural warmth and "mild passion". Westerdahl gave a sample of her improvisation skills in one of her popular parts, were she played a bandit: in one of her scenes, she was to shoot her co-actor, Georg Dahlqvist, but the gun did not work as it should. Instead, she hit him with it, which caused him to faint for real. When he came to, he complimented her with the words: "You are sublime!"In 1858, Westerdahl was considered an example of the outdated old recitative way of acting. When she wished to play one of her old heroine parts, she was told: "Madam is too old!" At this point, she was described as overweight, a drunk and with a frivolous mouth, but talented in comedy, and she was recommended by August Bournonville
August Bournonville
August Bournonville was a Danish ballet master and choreographer. August was the son of Antoine Bournonville, a dancer and choreographer trained under the French choreographer, Jean Georges Noverre, and the nephew of Julie Alix de la Fay, née Bournonville, of the Royal Swedish Ballet.August was...
as an example of good instinct and fantasy in contrast to mere education.
Private life
Fanny Westerdahl was born in Stockholm, Sweden on 21 February 1817.She was married in 1837 to the actor Carl Edvard Hjortsberg, son of Lars Hjortsberg
Lars Hjortsberg
Lars Hjortsberg was a Swedish actor. He is often called the greatest male actor in his country in the 19th century; he and Emilie Högquist are the best known Swedish actors from the first half of that century.- Biography :...
, and divorced in 1849. After her divorce, she called herself Mrs Westerdahl.
Fanny Westerdahl died in Stockholm, on 27 March 1873.