Sofia Liljegren
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 hovsångerska.
Sofia Liljegren was hired at the choir of the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm in 1781. In 1783, she was the replacement of Elisabeth Olin in the main part of Iphigénie en Aulide by Gluck, 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.
References
- Sohlmans musiklexikon (The Sohlman Music Dictionary) Volume 4 ISBN 91-7198-024-5 (Swedish)
- Georg Nordensvan: Svensk teater och svenska skådespelare Från Gustav III till våra dagar. Förra delen 1772–1842 (Swedish theatre and Swedish actors from the days of Gustav III to our days. Part I 1772–1842) Albert Bonniers Förlag (1917), Stockholm (Swedish)
- Fredrik August Dahlgren: Förteckning öfver svenska skådespel uppförda på Stockholms theatrar 1737–1863 och Kongl. Theatrarnes personal 1773–1863. Med flera anteckningar. (List of Swedish productions staged in Stockholm theatres 1737–1863 and Royal Swedish Theatre personnel from 1773 to 1863. With numerous notes.) (Swedish)