Ludvig Josephson

Ludvig Oskar Josephson (20 February 1832—29 January 1899) was a Swedish dramatist, actor and theatre manager. Biography Ludvig Josephson was born in Stockholm, Sweden. He was the son of Jewish merchant Salomon Josephson and Beata Levin. He was the younger brother of composer Jacob Axel Josephson (1818-1880) and pianist Wilhelmina Josephson (1816-1906). In 1851, he went to Paris, where he found employment with a major bookseller and came in contact with several French writers. His free time was spent on theatre studies, which included directing. From 1853 to 1854, he lived in Dresden, then returned home. In 1858, at the Mindre Teatern, he performed the title role in Narziss, a play based on Rameau's Nephew, by the German playwright . Three years later, he made his debut at the Royal Swedish Opera as Iago in Othello. He was employed there the same year and, in 1864, replaced August Bournonville as the stage curator. Later, he made adaptations of works by Shakespeare, Goethe, Adam Oehlenschläger, and others, as well as producing three of his own plays. From 1868 to 1869, he worked with the decorative painter, , at the Mindre teatern, where an Italian opera company alternated with performances of Swedish dramatic works. This was followed by attempts at directing; partly in Gothenburg and partly at the Södra Teatern, where he worked with . In 1871 and 1872, he was at the Ladugårdslandsteatern at Östermalmstorg in Stockhol. During this time, he also firmly established himself as playwright, producing several comedies and libretti.