Maria Silfvan

Background

Maria Silfvan was born in Turku and was to become one of the most known native actors in Finland in the first half of the 19th century, and could be regarded as Finland"s first dramatic prima donna.

Career

In Finland, there was no real theatres and no native actors in the beginning of the 19th century. Theatre was played by travelling Swedish theatre troupes touring the country. She was discovered when selling tickets and candy to the visitors of the theatre, Silfvan was hired in this troupe, and was seen as a natural dramatic talent.

In 1825, she played the leading part in Friedrich Schiller"s Mary Stuart (play) opposite Inga Åberg as Elizabeth Tudor.

After touring in Sweden, she spent her career touring in most cities in Finland. She is described as a beauty with a warm and intelligent way of acting.

Among her parts were: Johanna af Montfaucon by Kotzebue, Ophelia in "Hamlet", Emma von Falkenstein in "Korsfararne" (Crusaders) by Kotzebue and Siri Brahe in Siri Brahe och Johan Gyllnstierna by Gustav III of Sweden. H. North. Pinello said about her: "I the history of the spiritual nurture of Finland she will be remembered as a child of the people who, with curriage, will and restless work dedicated herself to the art of the stage, so neglected in her country by her contemporarys".

Achievements

• Between 1813 and 1827, the first theatre was run in Turku by the troupe of Knight of the Order of the Garter Bonnevier, who had attained a permission from the Russian emperor, and built a simple theatre house in the city.