Caroline Lisette (Maria Elisabet) Stenberg (23 October 1770 in Stockholm or Gothenburg – 18 June 1847 in Vänersborg) was a Swedish stage actress, singer and pianist.
[1] Lisette Stenberg was born under the name Maria Elisabet Stenberg as the daughter of a custom inspector in Gothenburg, the narrative of her background was that she had initially ran away from home with a lover, and when she was abandoned by him and her family would not accept her back, she took employment as the theater out of necessity: "Abandoned by her family, betrayed by her lover, the theatre became her only refuge, and in her despair she vowed to become the most extravagant actress that ever existed.
In 1789, she also debuted as a pianist: while performing as an actress in the role of Countess Clainville in Det oförmodade vadet ('Unexpected bet') by Sedaine, she additionally surprised the audience by playing a clavichord sonata accompanied by a violinist from the orchestra.
She was generally given very good reviews and acknowledged for her ability by both the critics and the audience, and was referred to by Gustaf Abraham Silverstolpe as "one of the greatest actresses the world have seen."
[1] She made personal bankruptcy in 1789 and in 1794 and arrested in 1795, but was released on demand of her creditor and employer, Carl Stenborg, who pointed out that she as an unmarried woman was a minor in accordance with the Civil Code of 1734.
[1] Some of the elite members of the Stenborg Theater, such as Eleonora Säfström, were engaged at the Royal Dramatic Theatre, but Lisette Stenberg was reportedly refused – not because of any doubt of her ability as an artist, but because of her financial scandals.
In 1816, she was arrested in Paris for having stolen clothes from the Swedish ambassador in France, Gustaf Lagerbjelke, in collaboration with his manservant, who was also known as a French spy.