Stenborg Theatre
Encyclopedia
The Stenborg theatre, also called Svenska Komiska Teatern, Komiska Teatern and Munkbroteatern, was a historical Swedish 18th century theatre, active between 1784 and 1799 in Gamla stan
in Stockholm
. It was the second theatre of Stockholm during the Gustavian age. In 1784-87, before the inauguration of the theatre of Ristell in Bollhuset
, it was the only dramatic theatre of the native language in Stockholm.
; when the first Swedish national theatre at Bollhuset
was closed in 1753-54, half of the troupe performed in various localities in the city under the leadership of Petter Stenborg
. When the national stage was re-established by king Gustav III of Sweden
in 1773, it did not include the old Stenborg troupe. In 1780, the troupe had finally acquired a proper house to perform in; Eriksbergsteatern, (The Eriksberg Theatre), and in 1781, the leadership was taken over by Petter Stenborg son, Carl Stenborg. In 1780-84, the Eriksberg Theatre was the only permanent theatre on the native language in Stockholm.
The Erikberg Theatre was uncomfortably outside of town, and the stenborg troupe under Carl Stenborg searched for a new building. They made a partnership with Christina Nyman, widow after an inn-keeper, who wanted to establish a theatre in Gamla stan and had obtained a permission to do so. The theatre was housed in a large building erected in Gamla Stan in 1782; the first floor housed four taverns and several apartments, while the second floor was reserved for the Stenborg troupe. From 1784, it was formally named Svenska komiska Teatern (Swedish Comical Theatre) or Svenska Teatern (Swedish Theatre) and from 1788 Komiska Teatern (Comedy Theatre). It was also known as Munkbroteatern (The Munkbro Theatre), after its location. The common name for it was always the Stenborg Theatre.
The theatre was luxuriously decorated and was in 1784 called the biggest theatre in the country. The theatrically interested king was present at its premier and gave away gifts to its performers. However, it did not have the same status as the Royal Swedish Opera
and Royal Dramatic Theatre
and was considered much less formal; it was a place for less formal and solemn performances, a place for satirical comedy and such, and foreigners sometimes compared it to a boulevard-theatre of the kind that was popular in Paris
. I also performed less formal opera and musicals. The Barber of Seville
had its Swedish premiere here in 1785, as well as The Marriage of Figaro
in 1792. Also foreign guest-artists and circus
-performances were given here; in the autumn of 1793, the English circus-company of Peter and James Price performed acrobatics and tight-rope-dancing here, were the four year old Louise Price danced on a rope. The theater's status as a less serious theatre did not stop actors from the Royal Swedish Opera and the Royal Dramatic Theatre to appear there; even Elisabeth Olin
had performed here, and it was in fact used by actors and singers to work in during their conflicts with the managements with their regular stages.
The director Carl Stenborg, who was a celebrated opera singer at the Royal Swedish Opera, resided in one of the apartments, were him and his wife, the singer Betty Olin, hosted gatherings and parties for the cultural elite of the city. The theatre often took their staff from the choir at the Royal Opera, but it also took in its own students. An advertise on 1786 red as follows: "If some common parents, who own children of a beautiful appearance and a good voice, would like to have them educated, for their own benefit, in a talent which may be benefital to their future, they may have an education and a revard ansering to their ability, when they enlist at the royal secretary Stenborg at the New Swedish theatre house at Munkbron"
In 1798, the new monopoly of the royal theaters were proclaimed in the city of Stockholm, and the Stenborg theatre was closed the year after (the monopoly was in effect until 1842). The building itself was torn down in 1899.
Director
Actors
Actresses
Guest actors
Gamla stan
Gamla stan , until 1980 officially Staden mellan broarna , is the old town of Stockholm, Sweden. Gamla stan consists primarily of the island Stadsholmen. The surrounding islets Riddarholmen, Helgeandsholmen, and Strömsborg are officially part of, but not colloquially included in, Gamla stan...
in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
. It was the second theatre of Stockholm during the Gustavian age. In 1784-87, before the inauguration of the theatre of Ristell in Bollhuset
Bollhuset
Bollhuset, also called ', ', and ' at various times, was the name of the first theater in Stockholm, Sweden; it was the first Swedish theater and the first real theater building in the whole of Scandinavia. The name "" means "The Ball House", and it was built in 1627 for ball sports and used in...
, it was the only dramatic theatre of the native language in Stockholm.
History
The Stenborg theatre was a continuation of the famous Stenborg TroupeStenborg Troupe
The Stenborg troupe was a Swedish Theatre Comedy troupe, active in Sweden and Finland in the 18th century. It was also called Stenborgska skådebanorna , Svenska komeditruppen and Svenska Comedien or Svenska Teatern...
; when the first Swedish national theatre at Bollhuset
Bollhuset
Bollhuset, also called ', ', and ' at various times, was the name of the first theater in Stockholm, Sweden; it was the first Swedish theater and the first real theater building in the whole of Scandinavia. The name "" means "The Ball House", and it was built in 1627 for ball sports and used in...
was closed in 1753-54, half of the troupe performed in various localities in the city under the leadership of Petter Stenborg
Petter Stenborg
Petter Stenborg was a Swedish actor and theater director who played an important role of the continuation of the native speaking theater in Sweden...
. When the national stage was re-established by king Gustav III of Sweden
Gustav III of Sweden
Gustav III was King of Sweden from 1771 until his death. He was the eldest son of King Adolph Frederick and Queen Louise Ulrica of Sweden, she a sister of Frederick the Great of Prussia....
in 1773, it did not include the old Stenborg troupe. In 1780, the troupe had finally acquired a proper house to perform in; Eriksbergsteatern, (The Eriksberg Theatre), and in 1781, the leadership was taken over by Petter Stenborg son, Carl Stenborg. In 1780-84, the Eriksberg Theatre was the only permanent theatre on the native language in Stockholm.
The Erikberg Theatre was uncomfortably outside of town, and the stenborg troupe under Carl Stenborg searched for a new building. They made a partnership with Christina Nyman, widow after an inn-keeper, who wanted to establish a theatre in Gamla stan and had obtained a permission to do so. The theatre was housed in a large building erected in Gamla Stan in 1782; the first floor housed four taverns and several apartments, while the second floor was reserved for the Stenborg troupe. From 1784, it was formally named Svenska komiska Teatern (Swedish Comical Theatre) or Svenska Teatern (Swedish Theatre) and from 1788 Komiska Teatern (Comedy Theatre). It was also known as Munkbroteatern (The Munkbro Theatre), after its location. The common name for it was always the Stenborg Theatre.
The theatre was luxuriously decorated and was in 1784 called the biggest theatre in the country. The theatrically interested king was present at its premier and gave away gifts to its performers. However, it did not have the same status as the Royal Swedish Opera
Royal Swedish Opera
Kungliga Operan is Sweden's national stage for opera and ballet.-Location and Environment:...
and 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....
and was considered much less formal; it was a place for less formal and solemn performances, a place for satirical comedy and such, and foreigners sometimes compared it to a boulevard-theatre of the kind that was popular in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. I also performed less formal opera and musicals. The Barber of Seville
The Barber of Seville
The Barber of Seville, or The Futile Precaution is an opera buffa in two acts by Gioachino Rossini with a libretto by Cesare Sterbini. The libretto was based on Pierre Beaumarchais's comedy Le Barbier de Séville , which was originally an opéra comique, or a mixture of spoken play with music...
had its Swedish premiere here in 1785, as well as The Marriage of Figaro
The Marriage of Figaro
Le nozze di Figaro, ossia la folle giornata , K. 492, is an opera buffa composed in 1786 in four acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with Italian libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, based on a stage comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais, La folle journée, ou le Mariage de Figaro .Although the play by...
in 1792. Also foreign guest-artists and circus
Circus
A circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...
-performances were given here; in the autumn of 1793, the English circus-company of Peter and James Price performed acrobatics and tight-rope-dancing here, were the four year old Louise Price danced on a rope. The theater's status as a less serious theatre did not stop actors from the Royal Swedish Opera and the Royal Dramatic Theatre to appear there; even Elisabeth Olin
Elisabeth Olin
Elisabeth Olin was a Swedish opera singer and a music composer. She is referred to as the first Swedish Opera prima donna. She was a court-singer . She was the first female member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music...
had performed here, and it was in fact used by actors and singers to work in during their conflicts with the managements with their regular stages.
The director Carl Stenborg, who was a celebrated opera singer at the Royal Swedish Opera, resided in one of the apartments, were him and his wife, the singer Betty Olin, hosted gatherings and parties for the cultural elite of the city. The theatre often took their staff from the choir at the Royal Opera, but it also took in its own students. An advertise on 1786 red as follows: "If some common parents, who own children of a beautiful appearance and a good voice, would like to have them educated, for their own benefit, in a talent which may be benefital to their future, they may have an education and a revard ansering to their ability, when they enlist at the royal secretary Stenborg at the New Swedish theatre house at Munkbron"
In 1798, the new monopoly of the royal theaters were proclaimed in the city of Stockholm, and the Stenborg theatre was closed the year after (the monopoly was in effect until 1842). The building itself was torn down in 1899.
Staff at the Stenborg theatre of 1791
Stage manager- D. G. Björn
Director
- C. StenborgCarl StenborgCarl Stenborg was a Swedish opera singer, actor, composer and theatre director. He is considered the first great male opera singer in Sweden and one of the pioneers of the Royal Swedish Opera.- Biography :...
Actors
- M. Bonn
- A. Lundberg
- C. Ljunggren
- J. P. Lindskog
- C. Bonn
- J. Sundman
Actresses
- E. SäfströmEleonora SäfströmUlrika Eleonora Säfström was a Swedish stage actress, described as a great dramatic star of Stockholm in her day....
- L. StenbergLisette StenbergCaroline Lisette Stenberg, was a Swedish actor and musician. She was a well known and popular actor in 18th century Stockholm, and a star of the Stenborg Theatre...
- C. RahmChristina RahmChristina Rahm, , was a Swedish operatic singer and a dramatic actress. She was employed at the Eriksberg Theatre in Stockholm in 1780-84 and at the Stenborg Theatre 1784-99, and therefter at travelling theatres...
- M. S. LagerqvistMargareta Sofia LagerqvistMargareta Sofia Lagerqvist , was a noted Swedish opera singer and stage actor.She was employed as an opera singer at the Royal Swedish Opera, and as an actor at the Royal Dramatic Theatre, in 1788-99, and additionally as both an actor and a singer at the Stenborg Theatre in Stockholm in 1784-99.Her...
- C. LöfbladJohanna LöfbladJohanna Catharina Löfblad , also known as Madame Gentschein and Madame Löfblad, was a Swedish actor...
- B. M. Modeer
Guest actors
- Carl Schylander from the Royal Dramatic TheatreRoyal Dramatic TheatreThe 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....
- Dahlqvist, Hans Björkman and Nils Magnus Annerstedt from the Royal Swedish OperaRoyal Swedish OperaKungliga Operan is Sweden's national stage for opera and ballet.-Location and Environment:...
.