Blenda is a Swedish opera in four acts by Per August Ölander to a libretto by Ernst Wallmark and Ludvig Josephson after the latter's play of the same name.[1]
Blenda as a historic character was created in 1691 by mill owner Petter Rudebeck at Huseby mill in Småland in order to preserve the Värendian right of inheritance for women when it was threatened by the state tax commission. According to the Blendasägnen, she gathered an army of women who defeated the Danes while their men were at war in Norway. The librettists Josephson and Wallmark were aware and approved of the relationship with the Virgin of Orleans.
As the story goes, Blenda sacrifices herself after throwing herself between the Danish army leader Nils Dotta and her husband Harald in a battle that concerned both her favor and the honor of the lands.[2]
| Role | Voice | Premiere cast | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dazzle | Soprano | Louise Pyk | |
| Harald, her betrothed | Tenor | Oscar Arnoldson | |
| Johan, son of King Sverker | Tenor | Harald Torslow | |
| Cardinal Nicolaus Albanensis | Base | Helmer Stromberg | |
| King Sverker of Sweden | Baritone | Sven Lars Wilhelm Lundvik | |
| Nils Dotta, Danish chieftain | Baritone | Robert Ohlsson | |
| King Sven Grate of Denmark | Baritone | Per Janzon | |
| Knight Karl, Danish chieftain | Tenor | Johan Malmsjö | |
| The bishop | Bass |