Scandinavian Theatre
Who was Ludwig Holberg?
-known as "the Molier of the north"
-artistic director of the 1st Danish language theatre on Kangens Nytorv
-"Peder pears" (mock epic poem)
-wrote 33 comedies
-"The Fussy Man"
-" The Political Thinker"
-"Jeppe of the Hill"
What was the Drottningholm Court Theatre?
-opened in 1766
-designed by Carl Frederik Adelkrantz who was known as the "Father of Swedish Theatre"
-most in tact surviving 18th cent. theatre
-vertical composition below the stage
-sealed up in 1792 which preserved it
-30 original set pieces preserved
What was the Bergen Theatre?
-founded by violinist Ole Bull who was the 1st Norwegian international celebrity and used his fortune to advance Norwegian culture, Ole bull was instrumental in gaining support for theatre in Bergen
-Artistic directors at this theatre included Ibsen and Bjornstjerne Bjornson
Who was Georg II
-Duke of Saxe Meiningen
-trained as a painter
-studied law and history at University of Bonn
-First Lieutenant of Royal Guards in Berlin
-known as the "father of modern directing"
-oversaw productions of The Meininger
-emphasis on ensemble
-costumes
-emphasized historical accuracy
-famous crowd scenes
Who was Richard Wagner?
-German
German composer and librettist born in Leipzeg; stepfather took him to the theatre and he copied scores from the library to learn music; married singer Minna Planer and they lived beyond their means even going to debtor's prison; was involved in revolutionary activities and fled to Switzerland; used gesamtkunstwerk and leitmotiv in his operas; started Bayreuth Theatre; wrote Tristan & Isolde, The Ring Cycle and Rienzi to name a few.
-first composter to also write his own libretti, stage and conduct opera and design scenery
-created opera with a theatre artisit's sensibilities
-taught himself music by copying scenes
-Gesamtkunstwerk= opera as a synthesis of many arts (work of art)
-Leitmotiv= used in a complex manner for idea association; pulling all elements together; union of music and poetry expressing freedom of the spirit
-"The Ring of Niebelung" (libretti written in reverse order beginning in 1853, music written in froward order)
-"Tristan and Isolde" (produced in Munich)
-1872 construction began on Festspielhaus in Bayreuth which became Wagner's own theatre
-music chasm= sunken orchestra pit
What are the Tivoli Gardens?
-Located in Copenhagen
-Founded by George Carstensen
-Pantomime theatre with mechanical peacock tail curtain
-Torp's flea circus
Who was king Gustave III?
-known as "the actor king"
-wrote 6 pre-romantic plays
Who was Bjornstjern Bjornson?
-director of Bergen theatre
-director of Christiania theatre
-used spiritual thees
-norwegian novelist and playwright
-succeeded Ibsen as director of Bergen theatre
-nobel prize for literature
-"Beyond our Power I and II"
-son (Bjorne Bjornson) became director of Christiania theatre
Who was Ludwig Chronegk?
-joined the Meininger as an actor, later became manager
-excellent comedian
-important to the success of the theatre
What was Bayreuth Festspielhaus
-Theatre that Richard Wagner had built in Bayreuth
-the theater constructed specifically for the performances of Wagner's works - given to Wagner by King Ludwig. Featured a double proscenium, continental seating (no middle aisle) and a mystic chasm.
Who was Johan Ludwig Heiberg?
-wrote charming vaudevilles
-resident playwright/ translator for Danish Royal theatre
-married Hanne Patages who was Heiberg's sucess and leading actress
-managing director of Royal Danish theatre (1849-56)
-"King Solomon and George the Hatter"
-"The April Fools"
-"Elves' Hill"
-"Soul After Death"
Who was Johanne Dybwad?
-greatest norwegian actress at the time
-acting evolved with the time
-performed 20 Ibsen roles at Christiania Theatre
-helped found National theatre
-produced plays
Who was Ellen Franz?
-leading lady of the meininger
-great timing and stage presence
-well-read and could speak 5 languages
-Georg II married her and gave her Baroness title
-served as dramaturg @ Meininger
Who was Friedrich Nietzsche?
-German philosopher
-championed individuality
inspired by Wagner; became dissilusioned with Wagner and went mad
-1871 "The Birth and Tragedy form the Spirit of Music"
-A pollonian vs Dionysion Spirit (highest type of art) saw christianity as a case of cultural degeneration
-Ubermensch= higher type of human
-believed the universe to be circular
Who was Henrik Ibsen?
-1828-1906
-skien, norway
-known as "the nasty norwegian"
-revolutionized the craft of playwriting
-scorned most of society as "empty brains and full purses"
-dealt with edgy subjects
-explored neo-classical, romanticism, realism and symbolism
-well-made, social problem plays are seen as his best work
-sold newspapers and became an activist
-AD/dramaturg at Bergen theatre
-Brand in 1866 marked a breakthrough success and helped him gain self-confidence
-"Peer Gynt" great romantic play
-1879 "A Doll's House" premieres in Copenhagen
-1882 "Ghost" premieres in Chicago (play about STD's)
-1890 "Hedda Gabler"
What was the Meininger Theatre?
-a theatre in the town on River Wera
-lead by Geroge II duke of Saxe-Meiningen
-1874 toured Julius Caesar to Berlin
-only company members performed
-"Rhabargargemurmel"
-Actors included Bjorn Bjorneson, Josef Kainz, Max Grube, and Ludwig Barnay