author
Jussi Snellman
1879–1969
Best remembered as a major figure of the Finnish stage, he also wrote librettos, translated plays, and worked as a director and dramaturge. His long career stretched across the early growth of Finnish-language theatre and left a mark on both performance and writing.
1 Audiobook
Ristimiekka
by Jussi Snellman
About the author
Born in Oulu on June 28, 1879, Samuel Johannes "Jussi" Snellman became one of the familiar faces of Finnish theatre. Reliable biographical sources describe him primarily as an actor, and he spent decades with the Finnish National Theatre, where he worked from 1901 to 1947.
Snellman was active in more than one role. In addition to acting, he worked as a director and later as a dramaturge at Helsingin Kansanteatteri from 1947 to 1951. Library and music-reference sources also connect him with writing, especially librettos and other literary work tied to the theatre.
He died in Helsinki on April 25, 1969. For listeners interested in older Nordic theatre culture, his life offers a glimpse into a period when Finnish-language drama was building its institutions and artistic identity.