Page 77 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Stockholm

CIT Y  75

The theatre, known as Wilhelmina became one
Dramaten, was opened of Sweden’s greatest
in 1908 after 6 years in collectors of European
construction, and its decor and East Asian fine and
was remarkable for the era. decorative art.
The Jugendstil façade inspired In 1920, the von
by Viennese archi tecture is in Hallwyls donated their
costly white marble. Christian Stockholm mansion
Ericsson provided the powerful and its contents to
relief frieze, Carl Milles the the Swedish State. The
centre section, and John terms of the bequest
Börjesson the bronze statues stipulated that the
Poetry and Drama. These are house must remain
complemented in the foyer essentially unchanged.
by Comedy and Tragedy by Courtyard of Hallwylska museet, seen through As a result, the original
Gusten Lindberg and Theodor the gateway arch decor and layout of the
Lundberg respectively. rooms has been perfectly
The lavish design continues gold – was chosen for the new preserved. Various styles
inside, both in the choice national stage but was changed were adopted through out.
of materials and in the to the traditional “theatre red” in The main salon, for example,
contributions by leading the 1930s. The auditorium was pays homage to the late
Swedish artists. The ceiling returned to its original colouring Baroque style. It is built
in the foyer is by Carl Larsson, during renovation in 1988. around four grandiose Gobelin
while the upper lobby’s back About 100 actors give some tapestries and is finished in
wall was painted by Oscar 1,200 perform ances every 24-carat gold leaf, clearly
Björck, and the auditorium’s year on the theatre’s 5 stages influenced by Hårleman’s
ceiling and stage lintel by to large audiences of more work at the Royal Palace
Julius Kron berg. Gustav than 300,000. (see pp50–53). It is difficult to
Cederström provided the believe that this was once a
central painting in the marble room in a private residence.
foyer, which also has some k Hallwylska The museum houses some
fantastic sculptures and busts. museet 50,000 objects amassed by
Georg Pauli gave his name Wilhelmina during her lifetime.
to a café, where visitors can Hamngatan 4. Map 3 D4. Tel 08- These include paintings,
see his paintings and enjoy 402 30 99.  Östermalmstorg, porcelain, East Asian sculpture,
a meal without necessarily Kungsträdgården. @ 2, 55, 62, 69, antique furniture, books and
attending a performance. 76. 8 Jan–Jun & Sep–Dec: noon– manuscripts, arms and armour,
The 805-seat auditorium 4pm Tue & Thu–Sun, noon–7pm and photographs. Because the
Wed; Jul & Aug: 10am–7pm
and revolving stage with a Tue–Sun. ^ = house has been preserved
diameter of 15 m (49 ft) have a ∑ hallwylskamuseet.se exactly as it was when it passed
classic beauty. When Gustav III into the hands of the Swedish
founded the Royal Dramatic This museum is housed in the State, the kitchen utensils,
Theatre in 1788, it performed elegant 19th-century former office equipment and personal
in a building on Slottsbacken. residence of Count Walther von possessions of the family are
The probable colour scheme Hallwyl and his wife, Wilhelmina. also on display. Unusual items
there – blue, white and A wealthy heiress, include a chunk from the
Count’s beard and a slice of
Walther and Wilhelmina’s
wedding cake.
Perhaps the most remarkable
arti fact on display is a Steinway
grand piano, dating from
1896, adapted to fit into its
majestic setting with a “casing”
of hardwood and inlaid wood.
In 1990 it was flown to New
York in two sections, weighing
a total of 900 kg (1,980 lb),
for a renov ation lasting
several months. Visitors
strolling through the salon
can listen to a recording
of music played on this
Kungliga Dramatiska Teatern’s Jugendstil façade in white marble magnificent piano.

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