Karolina Bock
Encyclopedia
Karolina Sofia Bock née
Richter, (August 28, 1792–1872), was a Swedish
dancer, actor
and singer. She was also the principal for the Dramatens elevskola
for two periods; in 1831-1834 and 1841-1856. She was the most known female comedian in her country during her years at the stage.
between 1806 and 1809, under the principal Sofia Lovisa Gråå
. Many of the girls graduating from the school between 1804 and 1812, when Gråå was principal, became famous in Sweden, and were commonly called "The Girls of Gråå".
in 1814. She worked there for fifty years, and became one of the most popular actors there, but she never became a star because of the parts she played; she always played old women in comedies, never heroines and therefore seldom main parts. She was very well used as an actor and never lacked parts to play, but she was not given main parts. It was said, that she had a rare quality; she knew her own limitations.
Her most popular parts were in the plays: Min tante Aurore (Ma tante Aurore) by Boieldieu, Bildhuggaren, Brodertvisten (The brother feud) by Kotzebue, Syrsan dramatisation efter La Petite Fadette by George Sand, Preciosa, Jane Eyre
and Mäster Smith (Master Smith).
there. She was the 4th woman to be principal for the famous school: Anne Marie Milan Desguillons
had been the first in 1793-1800, but she was principal jointly with her spouse. Sofia Lovisa Gråå had ben the first woman who was principal of this school alone (in 1804-1812). Among her students where Emilie Högquist
and Jenny Lind
. She was instructor of declamation and famed for her skill to teach the correct distinctuion of the language in both song and speech, and it was said that all her students had the same distinction; one she had presented to the school.
Karolina Bock was a good teacher, but unlike her own teacher, Sofia Lovisa Gråå, she was very strict and firm with her students, so much so that her students rebelled and had her deposed from her position as principal in 1856. She continued to work as an actor until 1863, and was described as a "theatre original". "The Bock woman" had a fierce temperament. The year after she was deposed by the direction as a principal, she was given the task to teach the Danish guest actress Charlotte Bournonville (daughter of August Bournonville
) Swedish, which she did so well that Bournonville could perform soon after as a native Swede in the part of Fatima in Oberon, were she made success. When the direction thanked Bock for this, she : "gave them such a load of barking that they quickly retreated".
Karolina Bock was married twice. In 1813, she married J.G. Svanberg, a violin
ist at the royal chapel
, and in 1826 she married K.F. Bock, who played the flute
in the royal chapel. She had a daughter, Bertha Tammelin
, who became an actor, singer, composer
, musician
and a teacher at Dramatens elevskola.
Karolina Bock was rewarded the medal Litteris et Artibus
in 1857.
NEE
NEE is a political protest group whose goal was to provide an alternative for voters who are unhappy with all political parties at hand in Belgium, where voting is compulsory.The NEE party was founded in 2005 in Antwerp...
Richter, (August 28, 1792–1872), was a Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
dancer, actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and singer. She was also the principal for the Dramatens elevskola
Dramatens 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...
for two periods; in 1831-1834 and 1841-1856. She was the most known female comedian in her country during her years at the stage.
Background
Karolina Richter, child of musician C.J. Richter, was educated at Dramatens elevskola in StockholmStockholm
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...
between 1806 and 1809, under the principal Sofia Lovisa Gråå
Sofia Lovisa Gråå
Sofia Lovisa Gråå née Palm, was a Swedish educator of actors, and noted for innovations that in modern times would be described as feminist.- Biography :...
. Many of the girls graduating from the school between 1804 and 1812, when Gråå was principal, became famous in Sweden, and were commonly called "The Girls of Gråå".
Acting career
Karolina worked at the theatres Djurgårdsteatern and Nya Komiska Teatern before she was hired at the Royal Dramatic TheatreRoyal 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 1814. She worked there for fifty years, and became one of the most popular actors there, but she never became a star because of the parts she played; she always played old women in comedies, never heroines and therefore seldom main parts. She was very well used as an actor and never lacked parts to play, but she was not given main parts. It was said, that she had a rare quality; she knew her own limitations.
Her most popular parts were in the plays: Min tante Aurore (Ma tante Aurore) by Boieldieu, Bildhuggaren, Brodertvisten (The brother feud) by Kotzebue, Syrsan dramatisation efter La Petite Fadette by George Sand, Preciosa, Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre is a novel by English writer Charlotte Brontë. It was published in London, England, in 1847 by Smith, Elder & Co. with the title Jane Eyre. An Autobiography under the pen name "Currer Bell." The first American edition was released the following year by Harper & Brothers of New York...
and Mäster Smith (Master Smith).
Principal
She was principal for Dramatens elevskola two times; the first time from 1831 to 1834, and the second time from 1841 to 1856. She was also instructor in declamationDeclamation
Grand National Tournament in Declamation is a public speaking event of the National Catholic Forensic League. One can qualify for the annual NCFL Grand National Tournament in Declamation through their local qualifying tournament...
there. She was the 4th woman to be principal for the famous school: Anne Marie Milan Desguillons
Anne Marie Milan Desguillons
Anne Marie Milan Desguillons was a French stage actress, active in Sweden. She was also active as an instructor and director of the theatre school Dramatens elevskola jointly with her spouse, and as such had a great influence over the development of the Swedish theatre.-Biography and career:Anne...
had been the first in 1793-1800, but she was principal jointly with her spouse. Sofia Lovisa Gråå had ben the first woman who was principal of this school alone (in 1804-1812). Among her students where 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 Jenny Lind
Jenny Lind
Johanna Maria Lind , better known as Jenny Lind, was a Swedish opera singer, often known as the "Swedish Nightingale". One of the most highly regarded singers of the 19th century, she is known for her performances in soprano roles in opera in Sweden and across Europe, and for an extraordinarily...
. She was instructor of declamation and famed for her skill to teach the correct distinctuion of the language in both song and speech, and it was said that all her students had the same distinction; one she had presented to the school.
Karolina Bock was a good teacher, but unlike her own teacher, Sofia Lovisa Gråå, she was very strict and firm with her students, so much so that her students rebelled and had her deposed from her position as principal in 1856. She continued to work as an actor until 1863, and was described as a "theatre original". "The Bock woman" had a fierce temperament. The year after she was deposed by the direction as a principal, she was given the task to teach the Danish guest actress Charlotte Bournonville (daughter of 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...
) Swedish, which she did so well that Bournonville could perform soon after as a native Swede in the part of Fatima in Oberon, were she made success. When the direction thanked Bock for this, she : "gave them such a load of barking that they quickly retreated".
Karolina Bock was married twice. In 1813, she married J.G. Svanberg, a violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist at the royal chapel
Kungliga Hovkapellet
Kungliga Hovkapellet , is a Swedish orchestra and was located at the Royal Court in Sweden's capital Stockholm. It was first recorded in 1526. Since 1773 it is part of the Royal Swedish Opera's company....
, and in 1826 she married K.F. Bock, who played the flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
in the royal chapel. She had a daughter, Bertha Tammelin
Bertha Tammelin
Bertha Carolina Mathilda Tammelin, née Bock was a Swedish actress, operatic mezzo soprano, pianist, composer and drama teacher.Bertha Tammelin was born to Karolina Bock and the musician of Kungliga Hovkapellet, C. Bock...
, who became an actor, singer, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and a teacher at Dramatens elevskola.
Karolina Bock was rewarded the medal Litteris et Artibus
Litteris et Artibus
Litteris et Artibus is a Swedish royal medal established in 1853 by Charles XV of Sweden, who was then crown prince. It is awarded to people who have made important contributions to culture, especially music, dramatic art and literature....
in 1857.