Ivar Hallström
Ivar Christian Hallström, born Stockholm, 5 June 1826, died in that city on 11 April 1901 was a Swedish composer, particularly of opera.[1] After many years neglect, Hallström’s operas were revived, in Umeå in 1986 with Bergtagna, seen also in York in 1988,[1] and Hertig Magnus at Vadstena in 1988 and 2000, also broadcast on Swedish television.[2]
Life
Although he learnt the piano, Hallström was self-taught as a composer. He studied law in Uppsala and in 1853 was appointed librarian to Prince Oscar which assisted him in advancing his career as a composer. His operas in collaboration with the librettist Frans Hedberg launched his operatic career, where he was particularly able to use Swedish folk tunes effectively.[1] Hallström introduced a flavour of Gallic wit into his light operas, many of them based on French libretti.[3] Fourteen operatic works survive.
Compositions
- Hertig Magnus och sjöjungfrun (Duke Magnus and the mermaid) – romantic operetta
- Mjölnarvargen (after Le diable au moulin by Eugène Cormon and Michel Carré) - operetta
- Den bergtagna (The bride of the mountain king) – romantic opera
- Vikingarne (The Vikings) – romantic opera
- Neaga - opera
- Per Svinaherde (Peter the swineherd) – fairy play
- Ett äfventyr i Skottland (An Adventure in Scotland) - ballet in two acts
- En dröm (A dream) - ballet in one act