Ander Lecture focuses on Swedish divas

Dr. Hélène Ohlsson will present the 29th annual O. Fritiof Ander Lecture in Immigration History: "Transatlantic Performances of Swedishness: The Opera Divas Jenny Lind and Christina Nilsson in the U.S. in the 19th Century," on Oct. 16.

The annual Ander Lecture invites a prominent scholar in the field of immigration studies to give a lecture on the Augustana campus.

This year's lecture will take place virtually at noon. To watch it live and also hear a Q&A with Dr. Ohlsson, please register in advance. 

(The recorded lecture will be added to the Ander Lecture playlist on YouTube.)

The lecture is offered in conjunction with the Association of Swedish Teachers and Researchers in America conference, on occasion of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Jenny Lind.

Dr. Ohlsson has a Ph.D. in theatre studies from Stockholm University. Her research has focuses on femininity and divas in 19th century theater. Her talk will deal with two Swedish divas — the opera singers Jenny Lind and Christina Nilsson — and their connections with the United States.

Dr. Ohlsson also has a background as an actor, writer and producer and has trained at L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris.

The lecture series is named in honor of Dr. O. Fritiof Ander, who taught history at Augustana College from 1930 to 1968. A legendary professor at the college, he was a pioneer and leading name in immigration history and the author of numerous books and articles in the field.