Maria Franck
Encyclopedia
Maria Kristina Franck, later Ruckman, (2 February 1769- 17 April 1847), was a Swedish
actor
, also known as Kristina Ruckman, who later also became principal of the theatre school Dramatens elevskola
. She is considered as her country's first native tragedienne, the successor to Marie Louise Marcadet
, (who was, however, of French origin), and predessecor of Sara Fredrica Strömstedt-Torsslow.
from 1784; she was presented for Jacques Marie Boutet de Monvel as a great natural talent, and he decided to educate her entirely as an actor for speaking parts, not as a singer. Her breakthrough was delayed a couple of years, some historians say this was because of the intrigues and jealousy of some of her colleagues, who stopped her from getting the leading roles.
In 1788, she was finally made premier-actress, and during the regency (1792–96) she did get her breakthrough, was met with overwhelming enthusiasm in tragic parts, especially suicide-scenes, and enjoyed a successful career for thirty years as one of the most popular actresses in Sweden. She played not only in Stockholm
, but toured the country as well. In 1788-1803, she was a member of the actor's board of directors formed by the actors themselves to run the theatre. She also taught the students at Dramatens elevskola
as an instructor of declamation
. Among her students were future stars such as Sara Torsslow
and Charlotta Eriksson
.
She was described as acting with a deep feeling and great intensity and a with good control over her mimic
that was never melodramatic. She did, occasionally performed in singing parts as well. Among her parts were "One of the pleasures" in Armide by Gluck (season 1786-87), Maria in Gustaf Adolf och Ebba Brahe (Gustaf Adolf and Ebba Brahe) by Gustav III (1787–88), Flattery in Alcides inträde i världen (The arrival of Alcide in to the world) by Haeffner
(1793–1794), Theodora in De gamla friarna (The old suitors) by Dalayrac (1795–96), Antiope in Renaud by Haeffner (1800–1801), Sabina in Den förmente prinsen (The supposed Prince) (1807–1808), Madame de Veronne in Ambroise (1812–13), Gertrud in Den Schweiziska familjen (The Swiss family) (1815–16) and the abbess in Nunnorna (The nun
s).
Her most noted performances was Thilda in Oden, Celestina and the Abess in Korsfararne (Crusaders) by Kotzebue, and the leading parts in Virginia by Paykull, Johanna af Montfaucon by Kotzebue and Mrs Dorsan in Den svartsjuka hustrun (The jealous wife); the latest one (1808) was considered to be her greatest triumph. She also played comedy and opera. She lasted longer than most female members of her generation on the stage, but the last years, her way of acting was considered too theatrical; she acted according to the French tradition, which had then became unfashionable.
In 1808, at the age of thirty-nine, she married the eleven years younger artist (engraver) Johan Gustav Ruckman (1780–1862), and some books therefore list her as Kristina Ruckman, though she was in her lifetime known as Maria Franck.
In 1818, she retired after having asked for and being granted a full pension, and in 1819-1823 she followed in the footsteps of Anne Marie Milan Desguillons
and Sofia Lovisa Gråå
and became principal and director for the theatres students at Dramatens elevskola
.
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....
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...
, also known as Kristina Ruckman, who later also became principal of the theatre school 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...
. She is considered as her country's first native tragedienne, the successor to Marie Louise Marcadet
Marie Louise Marcadet
Marie Louise Marcadet was a Swedish opera singer and a dramatic stage actor. She was active in both the Royal Swedish Opera, and at the Royal Dramatic Theatre. She is regarded as the greatest tragedienne in Sweden during the 1780s decade, before the first noted native tragedienne, Maria Franck...
, (who was, however, of French origin), and predessecor of Sara Fredrica Strömstedt-Torsslow.
Biography
Born as child of a bricklayer journeyman, Maria Franck was educated as a student in the French theatre in BollhusetBollhuset
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...
from 1784; she was presented for Jacques Marie Boutet de Monvel as a great natural talent, and he decided to educate her entirely as an actor for speaking parts, not as a singer. Her breakthrough was delayed a couple of years, some historians say this was because of the intrigues and jealousy of some of her colleagues, who stopped her from getting the leading roles.
In 1788, she was finally made premier-actress, and during the regency (1792–96) she did get her breakthrough, was met with overwhelming enthusiasm in tragic parts, especially suicide-scenes, and enjoyed a successful career for thirty years as one of the most popular actresses in Sweden. She played not only 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...
, but toured the country as well. In 1788-1803, she was a member of the actor's board of directors formed by the actors themselves to run the theatre. She also taught the students at 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...
as an instructor of declamation
Declamation
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...
. Among her students were future stars such as 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 :...
and Charlotta Eriksson
Charlotta Eriksson
Charlotta Maria Eriksson was a Swedish actress, one of the most popular and notable actors in Sweden in the first half of the 19th century. She was also a translator, an actor-instructor, a vice principal, and a painter....
.
She was described as acting with a deep feeling and great intensity and a with good control over her mimic
Mimic
In evolutionary biology, mimicry is the similarity of one species to another which protects one or both. This similarity can be in appearance, behaviour, sound, scent and even location, with the mimics found in similar places to their models....
that was never melodramatic. She did, occasionally performed in singing parts as well. Among her parts were "One of the pleasures" in Armide by Gluck (season 1786-87), Maria in Gustaf Adolf och Ebba Brahe (Gustaf Adolf and Ebba Brahe) by Gustav III (1787–88), Flattery in Alcides inträde i världen (The arrival of Alcide in to the world) by Haeffner
Johann Christian Friedrich Hæffner
Johann Christian Friedrich Hæffner was a German-born Swedish composer.Hæffner received his first musical education with the Schmalkalden organist Johann Gottfried Vierling. He studied in Leipzig from 1776, and then worked as a music conductor in theatres in Frankfurt am Main and Hamburg 1778-1780...
(1793–1794), Theodora in De gamla friarna (The old suitors) by Dalayrac (1795–96), Antiope in Renaud by Haeffner (1800–1801), Sabina in Den förmente prinsen (The supposed Prince) (1807–1808), Madame de Veronne in Ambroise (1812–13), Gertrud in Den Schweiziska familjen (The Swiss family) (1815–16) and the abbess in Nunnorna (The nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
s).
Her most noted performances was Thilda in Oden, Celestina and the Abess in Korsfararne (Crusaders) by Kotzebue, and the leading parts in Virginia by Paykull, Johanna af Montfaucon by Kotzebue and Mrs Dorsan in Den svartsjuka hustrun (The jealous wife); the latest one (1808) was considered to be her greatest triumph. She also played comedy and opera. She lasted longer than most female members of her generation on the stage, but the last years, her way of acting was considered too theatrical; she acted according to the French tradition, which had then became unfashionable.
In 1808, at the age of thirty-nine, she married the eleven years younger artist (engraver) Johan Gustav Ruckman (1780–1862), and some books therefore list her as Kristina Ruckman, though she was in her lifetime known as Maria Franck.
In 1818, she retired after having asked for and being granted a full pension, and in 1819-1823 she followed in the footsteps of 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...
and 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 :...
and became principal and director for the theatres students at 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...
.