Gustaf Åbergsson

Gustaf Fredrik Åbergsson née Åberg (27 March 1775 – 20 July 1852) was a Swedish stage actor, theatre director and principal of the Royal Dramatic Training Academy.

[1] Gustav Åbergsson was born to Jonas Åberg, footman at the royal court, and Fredrika Maria Svahn.

His father is thought to have been the son of Beata Sabina Straas, the first professional native actress in Sweden to perform on a public stage in 1737, although this is unconfirmed.

[2] He was a student at the French Theatre of Gustav III in Bollhuset in 1786, as was his sister Inga According to popular legend, King Gustav III of Sweden originally placed him as a student in the Opera after having seen him in the park of Drottningholm Palace: after discovering that they shared the same name, the king asked him to sing a song.

[3] Gustav Åbergsson was described as beautiful, with a fine figure, posture and grace and an easy manner, and was often given hero- and lover parts: "roles, which demands a beautiful body and pleasantness".