Edvard Swartz

Edvard Maurits Swartz, (15 February 1826 Stockholm-14 December 1897 Stockholm), was a Swedish actor, one of the stars at the Royal Dramatic Theatre at the mid 19th century.

Swartz became a student at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in 1839 and was employed at the theatre Mindre teatern 1845-1853 before he returned to the Royal Dramatic Theatre where he made a great success the same year and was given a contract. He was seen as a great talent in tragedy and hero-parts, and for his "deep sence of feeling", and his beauty attracted attention; when he did the role of Rochester in Jane Eyre, the papers spoke of the "Swartzsjuka" ("Sickness of Swartz") which had erupted in the audience.

Among his parts were Richard II, "Othello", Timon af Aten, Leontes in "En vintersaga", Sardanapalus, Fiesko, Egmont and Tartuffe, Caligula in "Fäktaren från Ravenna", Rochester in "Jane Eyre", Louis XII in the play by Delavigne and in "Gringoire", Maxime Odiot in "En fattig ung mans äfventyr", Daniel Hjort, Valdemar in "Ung-Hanses dotter", Gustaf Vasa in "Dagen gryr", Gustaf III in "En konung" and Örnulf in "Kämparne på Helgeland".

His health was bad and he had to retire in 1881. He was from 1854 married to his colleague Clementine Fehrnström, who was also employed at the Royal Dramatic Theatre 1853-1888.

References

* http://runeberg.org/nfcg/0476.html
* Georg Nordensvan, "Svensk teater och svenska skådespelare från Gustav III till våra dagar, Andra bandet, 1842-1918".