• Year of composition: 1818
• Work category: Operetta / Comic opera
• Text author: Johan David Valerius
• First performed: 26 January 1819 (Karl XIV Johan’s first birthday after his coronation) at the Kongl. Stora Theatern (Stockholm). Participants: [first name missing] Söderman (Balder), Ulrik Torsslow (Forsete), Sofia Sevelin, Charlotte Erikson-Wikström and Jeannette Wässelius (Fates), [first name missing] Lindström (A soldier), [likely Lars or Fredrik] Kinmanson (A farmer), Elise Lindström (A farm girl), [first name missing] Berg (A sailor), Lars Hjortsberg (A 100-year-old blind man) and others
• Duration: Approx. 40-50 min
• Detailed duration: Playing time uncertain

Instrumentation

2*.2.2.2 / 4.2.1*.0 / timp / str
(picc, bass tbn)

Solo voices/choir

Balder
Forsete
Urda
Werdandi
Fate
Mimes
Elf-Queen
Elves
King of the Water Sprites
Water Sprites
Spirits
Shadows
People
A farmer
A Lapplander
A miner
A soldier
A girl
A 100-year-old blind man

Choir: S.A.T.B.

Examples of printed editions

The printed libretto (2 editions) is in the collection of the Musik- och teaterbibliotekets:
- Balder, allegoriskt divertissement af sång och dans i en act. Första gången uppförd på kongl. stora … Read moretheatern den 26 januarii 1819. =Anon=. Stockholm, Elméns och Granbergs tryckeri, 1819
- Balder : Allegoriskt Divertissement af Sång och Dans i En Act. Stockholm : Ortman, 1821 Collapse

• Location autograph: Musik- och teaterbiblioteket
• Possible call no. and autograph comment: Kungl. Teaterns Arkiv, Operetter B 6 (score and parts)
  A Copy of the score was done by Martin Tegen, February 2002

Literature

J. D. Valerius: Samlade vitterhetsarbeten, del 2, Stockholm (1855)

Description of work

he setting is partly at the plain of Ida, and partly in a neighbouring region between Sweden and Norway.

Overture: Adagio - Allegro assai D minor 4/4 (C)

Scene 1: The stage depicts a part of the … Read moreplain of Ida with the ash tree Ygdrasil, at the foot of which one sees the fountain of Wisdom, which is guarded by the giant Mimer. At the back of the stage are glistening clouds, which are believed to disguise the abode of Gimle or the Gods, from where Bifrost, or the Rainbow Bridge goes down to Earth.
Ballet (music missing)
The elves and water sprites approach the fountain. Mimer is resting. They turn aside, but then return in a withdrawn and evasive manner. They flee to stage front and disappear, dancing, during [...] song. Mimer, Elf Queen, King of the Water Sprites, elves, water sprites.

Scene 2:
Mimer. The fates, Urda, Werdandi [Verdandi] and Fate, with Rune staffs, and the last-named bearing a shield.

Scene 3:
[On Stage: 1 Flute, 2 Clarinets in C, 2 Bassoons, 2 Cornets in F]
The former. Shadows of Yngve Frey with Drottar, Ragnar Lodbrok with soldiers, Magnus Ladulås with knights, and Gustav Vasa with Dalecarlians; following each other, little by little they are impelled forth, and disappear in the same order [Chorus of Spirits.]

Scene 4:
Mimer. Nornorna.

Scene 5:
The clouds in the distance open. Balder and Forsete descend and pause for a brief moment at Bifrost. The whole stage brightens.
As Balder and Forsete advance along Bifrost the clouds follow them, returning to cover, at the end of this scene, a large part of the stage, as do Balder Forsete and Mimer. Chorus of Spirits (on stage).
The former. Balder. Forsete.

Scene 6:
No. 10. On stage: 1 Flute, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets in A, 2 Bassoons, 2 Cornets in A, Chorus (at a distance, backstage)
The fates [and Choir]

Scene 7:
The stage is transformed to a beautiful landscape and filled with people of both genders, and from many regions. Chorus: A farmer, a sailor, a Lapplander, a miner, a soldier and a girl, a 100-year-old blind man. Ensemble ballet, Sailor’s dance, Lapplander’s dance, Miner’s dance.
No. 13. Ensemble Ballet: Tempo de polacca D minor 3/4
No. 16. Sailor’s dance: (no tempo markings) E-flat major 2/4
No. 18. Lapplander’s dance: [Moderato] C minor - C major - C minor 3/4
No. 20. Miner’s dance: Marcato C minor 2/4
No. 22(B). Ensemble Ballet: (no tempo markings) D major 2/4 Collapse

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Work comment

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Libretto/text