Ivar Christian Hallström, born Stockholm, 5 June 1826, died in that city on 11 April 1901 was a Swedish composer, particularly of opera.[1]
Although he learnt the piano, Hallström was self-taught as a composer. He studied law in Uppsala and in 1853 was appointed librarian to Prince Oscar which assisted him in advancing his career as a composer. His operas in collaboration with the librettist Frans Hedberg launched his operatic career, where he was particularly able to use Swedish folk tunes effectively.[1] Hallström introduced a flavour of Gallic wit into his light operas, many of them based on French libretti.[2] Fourteen operatic works survive.
He was one of the founding members of Sällskapet Idun, a men's association founded in Stockholm in 1862.[3]
After many years neglect, Hallström’s operas were revived, in Umeå in 1986 with Bergtagna, seen also at the York Early Music Festival in 1988,[1] Hertig Magnus at Vadstena in 1988 and 2000, also broadcast on Swedish television,[4] and Liten Karin in 1997, also at Vadstena, with Malena Ernman as Princess Cecilia.[5]