Ivar Hallström (1826−1901)

Hertig Magnus och sjöjungfrun [Sir Magnus and the Mermaid]

Print
  • Year of composition: Autographs in the collections of the Musik- och teaterbiblioteket are dated 1865-66.
  • Work category: Opera
  • Text author: Frans Hedberg (1828-1908)
  • First performed: 28 January, 1867 at the ’Gustavian Opera House’ in Stockholm [demolished in 1892]. Performers: F. Arlberg (Hertig Magnus [Sir Magnus]), R. Ohlsson (Sten Åkeson), O. Arnoldson (Brynolf), A. Willman (Peder), G. Lublin (Ingrid), F. Stenhammar née Andrée (Anna), C. Strandberg née Linderoth (Lisa), A. V. Dahlgren (Ulf), G. Sandström (En munk [A Monk]), Westerberg (En fiskare [A Fisherman]), J. Magnusson (En bondkvinna [A peasant woman])
  • Duration: Approx. 90-120 min
  • Detailed duration: 1 h 54 min according to CD from Marco Polo/Naxos (2000/2003)

Instrumentation

2.2.2.2 / 4.2.3.0 / timp / str

Solo voices/choir

Hertig Magnus [Sir Magnus] (baritone)
Sten Åkeson, marsk [Lord High Constable of Sweden ] (baritone)
Brynolf, his son (tenor)
Peder, gammal fiskare [An Old Fisherman] (bass)
Ingrid, his wife (mezzosopran)
Anna, their daughter (soprano)
Lisa, fiskarflicka [A Fishergirl] (soprano)
Ulf, kökssven hos hertigen [kitchen boy at the Duke's court] (tenor)
En munk [A Monk] (baritone)
En fiskare [A Fisherman] (baritone)
En qvinna [A Woman] (mezzo-soprano/alto)

Courtiers, the Duke's pages and servants, Guard, Fishermen and farmers, their wives and children

2 sopranos (Anna, Lisa), 2 mezzo-sopranos (Ingrid, En qvinna [A Woman]), 2 tenors (Ulf, Brynolf), 4 baritones (Sir Magnus, Sten Åkeson, En munk [A Monk], En fiskare [A Fisherman]), 1 bass (Peder)

CHoir (S.S.A.A.T.T.B.B.) with tenor and baritone/bass solos

Examples of printed editions

Libretto (Bonnier, 1867) at the Musik- och teaterbiblioteket
Levande musikarv, Stockholm 2017. Critical edition by Anders Wiklund.

  • Location autograph: Musik- och teaterbiblioteket
  • Possible call no. and autograph comment: Z/Sv (Score and piano vocal score, both dated 1865-66)

Description of work

Overture: Andante D minor - D major 4/4 C

Act I
No. 1: Chör af Fiskare. Peder, En fiskare, En qvinna [Choir of Fishermen. Peder, A Fisherman, A Woman]
No. 2: Duet. Ingrid, Peder
No. 3: Aria. Munken [The Monk]
No. 4: Visa [Song]. Lisa
No. 5: Duet. Lisa, Ulf
No. 6: Romans [Romance]. Brynolf
No. 7: Duet. Anna, Brynolf
No. 8: Romans [Romance]. Anna
No. 9: Chör af jägare [Choir of Hunters]
No. 10: Finale. Hertig Magnus [Sir Magnus], Anna, Peder, Ingrid, Lisa, Ulf, Sten, Brynolf, Munken [The Monk], Chör [Choir]

Act II
No. 11. Introduction [instrumental]: Andantino G minor - G major 6/8
No. 12: Visa [Song]. Peder
No. 13: Duet. Anna, Lisa
No. 14: Quintet. Anna, Lisa, Ingrid, Ulf, Peder
No. 15: Chorus. Sten, Choir (with baritone/bass solo)
No. 16: Romans [Romance]. Brynolf
No. 17: Trio. Anna, Sten, Peder
No. 18: Finale. Hertig Magnus [Sir Magnus], Anna, Brynolf

Act III
No. 19: Chör af Fiskare [Choir of Fishermen] (with tenor and baritone/bass solo)
No. 20: Dansvisa [Dance song]. Lisa, Ulf, Choir
No. 21. Polska [a Swedish dance, instrumental]: Allegro F major 3/4
No. 22: Duet, Sextet and Chorus. Anna, Brynolf, Lisa, Ulf, Sten, Munken [The Monk], Peder, Hertig Magnus [Sir Magnus], Choir
No. 23: Finale. Anna, Lisa, Ingrid, Brynolf, Ulf, Sten, Choir]

Work comment

Sir Magnus refers to Prince Magnus, Duke of [the Province of] Östergötland (1542-1595), the third son of King Gustav Vasa

Libretto/text

Act I

No. 1: Raskt, raskt uti vår båt, på den blåa, svallande bölja (Chör af fiskare, En fiskare, En qvinna [Choir of Fishermen, A Fisherman, A Woman], Peder)

No. 2: Vår gamla gyllne tid skall återkomma blid (Peder, Ingrid)

No. 3: Gack, lyd din herres bud (Munken [The Monk])

No. 4: Den tiden är, Gud i lof nu redan förbi (Lisa)

No. 5: Hvem var den rätte, som du nämnde? (Ulf, Lisa)

No. 6: Hvarthän min fot än länder vid dessa sköna stränder (Brynolf)

No. 7: Tyst, hörde jag icke hans röst? (Anna, Brynolf)

No. 8: Jag lekte som barn vid de böljor blå (Anna)

No. 9: Framåt genom mark och skog, framåt! (Chör af jägare [Choir of Hunters])

No. 10: Gif min sköna brud mig åter (Hertig Magnus [Sir Magnus], Anna, Peder, Ingrid, Lisa, Ulf, Sten, Brynolf, Munken [The Monk], Choir)

Act II

No. 11: [instrumental]

No. 12: Syssla träget med ditt garn (Peder)

No. 13: Hur kan du så fröjdefull vara (Anna, Lisa)

No. 14: O, Gud! Mig anar blott ondt af detta bud! (Anna, Lisa, Ingrid, Ulf, Peder)

No. 15: Oro och qval, herrska [sic] utan tal i hjertats sal (Choir)

No. 16: Bjud hellre solen glömma att färga rosens blad (Brynolf)

No. 17: Der [sic] min barndoms dar jag njutit (Anna, Sten, Peder)

No. 18: Säg mig ej att en jordisk flicka så kan sjunga så kan blicka (Hertig Magnus [Sir Magnus], Anna, Brynolf)

 

Act III

No. 19: Herrlig [sic] fångst vi drogo (Chör af Fiskare [Choir of Fishermen])

No. 20: Och ringen ska vi knyta i rosendelund (Lisa, Ulf, Choir)

No. 21: [Polska (a Swedish dance), instrumental]

No. 22: Du älskar mig, jag älskar dig! (Anna, Brynolf, Lisa, Ulf, Sten, Munken [The Monk], Peder, Hertig Magnus [Sir Magnus], Choir)

No. 23: Lefve vår furste, kung Göstas son! (Anna, Lisa, Ingrid, Brynolf, Ulf, Sten, Choir

Media files

Edition Swedish Musical Heritage