ABSTRACT
In ‘Amphions of the North: Court Kapellmeisters in the musical life of Sweden around 1800’, Owe Ander gives an analysis of the musical activities of the six court Kapellmeisters in Stockholm between the assassination of Gustav III in 1792 and the ascension of Karl XIV Johan in 1818. None of them were Swedish born, but were ‘on the move’ in Europe. Most of them resided in Stockholm for a limited period. Their musical activities were varied and included ceremonial music for royal and national celebrations; dance and party music at court; opera, ballet, and theatre music; concerts in bourgeois society; church music; pedagogical work; and scholarly and scientific activities and their connections with the Royal Academy of Music.
The Kapellmeisters became important as agents of new musical genres, both in theatre and concert life. Ander outlines their musical background, how they were recruited, and previous and subsequent careers. Operatic activity is described in more detail, the opera being both a representational court institution and an opera for the paying public. All Kapellmeisters composed for the royal stages. The opera orchestra also became important in the development of Stockholm’s concert life, manoeuvring between older court functions and a modern bourgeois musical life.
