Liva Järnefelt

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Liva Järnefelt
Järnefelt as Ortrud in Lohengrin at the Royal Swedish Opera (1905)
Born
Olivia Edström

(1878-03-18)18 March 1878
Vänersborg, Sweden
Died24 June 1971(1971-06-24) (aged 93)
Engelbrekt Parish, Stockholm County, Sweden
Education
OccupationOperatic mezzo-soprano
OrganizationRoyal Swedish Opera
AwardsLitteris et Artibus

Olivia (Liva) Järnefelt née Edström (18 March 1876 – 24 June 1971) was a Swedish mezzo-soprano who specialized in opera. In 1897, after appearing at the Royal Swedish Opera as the Third Boy in Mozart's The Magic Flute and making her actual debut as Pantalis in Boito's Mefistofele, she remained with the company until 1926. She performed major roles in several Wagnerian operas as well as in a variety of Italian works. On the occasion of her 25th anniversary with the Royal Opera, she was enthusiastically acclaimed for her performance in the title role of Bizet's Carmen. Appreciated by both her audiences and her critics for her clear, full-bodied voice and her outstanding stagecraft, she was awarded the Litteris et Artibus in 1920.

Early life, family and education

Born on 18 March 1878 in Vänersborg, Olivia Edström was the daughter of Chancellor Johan Edström [sv] and his wife Maria née Nordqvist. Her younger sister, Anna Edström [sv] (1884–1940), also became an opera singer. From 1894 to 1897, she studied voice at the Royal Swedish Academy of Music under Julius Günther. She later studied further under Gillis Bratt [sv] in Stockholm (1904–94) and August Iffert [de] in Vienna. She also studied drama under Signe Hebbe.[1][2] In 1910, she married the Finnish conductor and composer Armas Järnefelt.[3]

Career

Edström first appeared on stage at the Royal Opera in 1897 as the Third Boy in Mozart's The Magic Flute. That year she made her official debut as Pantalis in Boito's Mefistofele and also appeared as Frédéric in Mignon by Ambroise Thomas. In 1898, she was engaged by the company and performed there until 1926.[1]

She gained popularity in 1901, singing the title role in Bizet's

Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, and in particular for her Carmen, which she last performed to celebrate her 25th anniversary with the company.[4] Initially overshadowed by Matilda Jungstedt's Carmen, she increasingly earned the acclaim of her audiences and critics.[4]

Towards the end of her stage career, Järnefelt often appeared in comic roles such as Annina in Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss, and Quickly in Verdi's Falstaff, receiving praise from her critics for making so much of these smaller roles. She later became a respected voice and drama teacher in Stockholm.[4]

Liva Järnefelt died on 24 June 1971 in Engelbrekt Parish in Stockholm County.[4]

Awards

Järnefelt was awarded the Litteris et Artibus medal in 1920 for her contributions to Swedish culture. In 1924 she was elected a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.[1]

References

  1. ^
    SELIBR 53803
    . Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  2. ISBN 9783598440885. Retrieved 30 April 2022.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  3. SELIBR 8072220
    . Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d Hofsten, Sune (1973–1975). "Olivia (Liva) Järnefelt". Svenskt biografiskt lexikon (in Swedish). Vol. 20. National Archives of Sweden. p. 523. Retrieved 30 April 2022.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Liva Järnefelt.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Liva_Järnefelt&oldid=1214406352"