Sofia Liljegren
Encyclopedia
Sofia Ulrika Liljegren, married surname Uttini, (1765 - December 6 1795), was a Swedish-Finnish soprano
. She was likely the first professional opera singer from Finland
, although she was active in Sweden
. She was given the title Hovsångare
.
of the Royal Swedish Opera
in Stockholm
in 1781. In 1783, she was the replacement of Elisabeth Olin
in the main part of Iphigenie de Aulide by Glück, after which she was recommended to Gustav III of Sweden
. She seem to have enjoyed a period of great popularity before it diminished during the 1790s. Her perhaps most remembered part was Clytaimnestra in Elektra by Kauffman. She is often mentioned among the most notable names in the Swedish opera during the late 18th-century. Gustaw Löwenhielm also mention her as one of the few native talents between Elisabeth Olin
, who retired in 1784, and Jeanette Wässelius
, who had her breakthrough in 1800, though he considers her overestimated and not as good as Inga Åberg
.
She married composer Francesco Uttini
in 1788.
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
. She was likely the first professional opera singer from Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, although she was active in Sweden
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....
. She was given the title Hovsångare
Hovsångare
Hovsångare , literally Court Singer, is a title awarded by the Swedish monarch to a singer who, by their vocal art, has contributed to the international standing of Swedish singing. The formal title was introduced by King Gustav III of Sweden in 1773, with the first recipients being Elisabeth Olin...
.
Biography
Sofia Liljegren was hired at the choirChoir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
of the Royal Swedish Opera
Royal Swedish Opera
Kungliga Operan is Sweden's national stage for opera and ballet.-Location and Environment:...
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...
in 1781. In 1783, she was the replacement of 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...
in the main part of Iphigenie de Aulide by Glück, after which she was recommended to 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....
. She seem to have enjoyed a period of great popularity before it diminished during the 1790s. Her perhaps most remembered part was Clytaimnestra in Elektra by Kauffman. She is often mentioned among the most notable names in the Swedish opera during the late 18th-century. Gustaw Löwenhielm also mention her as one of the few native talents between 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...
, who retired in 1784, and Jeanette Wässelius
Jeanette Wässelius
Marie Jeanette Wässelius, commonly known as Wässelia or Mamsell Wässelia, , was a Swedish opera singer, court singer and actress, the leading prima donna of the Swedish Opera during the Napoleonic age in the first decades of the 19th century and sister of the international opera star Justina Casagli...
, who had her breakthrough in 1800, though he considers her overestimated and not as good as Inga Åberg
Inga Åberg
Inga Åberg was a Swedish actress and opera singer, one of the most popular and well known actors of her time in Sweden...
.
She married composer Francesco Uttini
Francesco Uttini
Francesco Antonio Baldassare Uttini was an Italian composer and conductor who was active mostly in Sweden....
in 1788.