
A spirited slice of 19th‑century Swedish theatre bursts onto the scene, blending song, dance and witty dialogue in a two‑act, six‑scene comedy. Set against the leafy backdrop of a countryside farmyard, the cast ranges from the imposing estate owner and his children to humble laborers, a local judge, and a colorful troupe of villagers. The play captures the bustling rhythms of rural life, where music and merriment mingle with the everyday concerns of status and ambition.
The opening scene follows Per and Stina as they adorn a modest cottage with midsummer foliage, turning the simple act of decorating into a lively duet of verses and banter. Their flirtatious exchange hints at budding affection and dreams of rising above their modest station, while subtle references to the powerful local magistrate introduce a thread of social tension. Light‑hearted yet grounded in the customs of the time, the piece invites listeners to revel in its melodic humor and vivid portrait of a community on the brink of change.
Full title
Wermlänningarne Sorglustigt tal- sång- och dansspel i två afdelningar och sex indelningar
Language
sv
Duration
~1 hours (97K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Gun-Britt Carlsson, Eva Eriksson, Jens Sadowski, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2015-04-19
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1816–1895
A Swedish writer, playwright, and songwriter remembered above all for the hugely popular play Värmlänningarna, he helped bring rural life and dialect onto the stage for a wide audience. His work made him one of the best-known literary voices in 19th-century Sweden.
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