Laine Mesikäpp

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Laine Mesikäpp
Born(1917-02-27)27 February 1917
Adila, Governorate of Estonia, Russian Empire
Died5 May 2012(2012-05-05) (aged 95)
Iru, Harju County, Estonia
NationalityEstonian
Other namesLaine Koppel
Occupation(s)Actress, singer, folk song collector
Years active1938–1994
SpouseKarl Koppel

Laine Mesikäpp (27 February 1917 – 5 May 2012) was an Estonian film, radio and stage actress, singer and prolific collector and cataloguer of Estonian folk music.

Early life and education

Laine Mesikäpp was born in the small village of Adila in Kohila Parish, Rapla County, to Hans Mesikäpp Jr. and Ann Mesikäpp (née Rammus) and grew up on a farm in the small neighboring borough of Hageri. She was the youngest of nine children. Her interest in traditional Estonian folklore and Estonian folk music began early in her childhood; her father Hans was a locally known storyteller and singer who always kept a pencil in his pocket to transcribe all local traditions, songs and stories.[1] Later, the family home became a gathering place for folklorists, musicians and singers from all parts of Estonia, which left a lasting impression on her and added numerous songs from other regions to her repertoire.[2][3]

Beginning in 1932, she studied at Tallinn 1st Girls' Gymnasium, graduating in 1936.[4]

Stage career

In 1942, Laine Mesikäpp was invited to join the

Mr Puntila and his Man Matti.[5]

Film

Laine Mesikäpp's feature film debut was in the 1956 film adaptation of Oskar Luts' 1933 story Tagahoovis, directed by Viktor Nevežin. Mesikäpp reprised her role of Berta for the film; a role she had played previously onstage as an actress at the Estonian Drama Theatre. This was followed by small roles in the 1960 Herbert Rappaport directed drama Vihmas ja päikeses for Tallinna Kinostuudio and the 1962 musical comedy color film Laulu sõber directed by Ilja Fogelman and Reet Kasesalu, also for Tallinna Kinostuudio.[6]

Other film appearances include roles in the 1968 film adaptation of August Kitzberg's novel Libahunt; the 1981 Arvo Kruusement directed Karge meri, based on the 1938 novel of the same name; and as Aunt Kaie in the 1989 Leida Laius directed drama Varastatud kohtumine. All of which were produced by Tallinnfilm. Mesikäpp's final film appearance would be an uncredited role in Pekka Karjalainen directed black and white comedy Hysteria in 1993.[7]

Folk songs

From a very early age, Laine Mesikäpp had a strong interest in traditional Estonian music, songs, dance, stories and national dress. She began collecting and performing folk songs from all over Estonia while still a teenager. In 1947, Estonia held its first

Soviet annexation in 1944 and Mesikäpp performed. When the choir, and subsequently the audience, began singing the patriotic "Mu isamaa on minu arm" ("My Fatherland is My Love") in a burst of Estonian patriotism and in defiance of Soviet rule, the crowd roared with approval, outraging Soviet authorities.[8][9][10] This event sparked Mesikäpp to begin organizing parties and festivals promoting traditional Estonian folk music and dance. Although not an overtly political statement, it was, in part, an attempt to preserve Estonian customs and an attempt to halt russification.[11][12]

Mesikäpp remained active in the collection and promotion Estonian folk music throughout her life. She was a member of the Leigarid Folk Art Ensemble; a folk art collective founded in 1969 which promoted

Estonian culture through music and dance.[13]

Personal life

Laine Mesikäpp was married to Karl Koppel, who died in 1988. In her later years, she was a resident at an assisted living facility for the elderly in Iru in Harju County, where she died in 2012 at age 95.[14]

References

  1. ^ videvik.ee no. 9 (806). 1 March 2007. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  2. ^ videvik.ee no. 9 (806). 1 March 2007. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  3. ^ eestigiid.ee Mesikäpp, Laine. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  4. ^ Nimistu - Eesti Teatri- ja Muusikamuuseum Laine Mesikäpp. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  5. ^ delfi.ee Lahkus näitleja ja leelotaja Laine Mesikäpp (27. veebr 1917 – 5. mai 2012) 1 May 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  6. ^ Eesti Filmi Andmebaas. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  7. ^ Eesti Filmi Andmebaas. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  8. ^ jstor.org How Singing Started a Revolution in Estonia 21 August 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  9. ISBN 9781576470091
  10. ISBN 9781105530036
    .
  11. ^ Õhtuleht "Laine Mesikäpp oli abielus rahvakunstiga, rahvalaulud olid tema lapsed." 12 May 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  12. ^ Nimistu - Eesti Teatri- ja Muusikamuuseum Laine Mesikäpp. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  13. ^ delfi.ee Rahvalaulik Laine Mesikäpp hoidis tantsuema ehet 15 November 2008. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  14. ^ Õhtuleht "Laine Mesikäpp oli abielus rahvakunstiga, rahvalaulud olid tema lapsed." 12 May 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2016.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Laine_Mesikäpp&oldid=1204039867"