Johanne Luise Heiberg

She contributed to the growing public social and moral perception of Danish actors as artists and cultural personalities rather than simply performers.

• Name — Johanne Luise Heiberg • Birth Name — Johanne Luise Pätges • Born — 22 November 1812 • Birthplace — Copenhagen, Denmark • Died — 21 December 1890 • Place of death — Copenhagen, Denmark • Resting Place — Cemetery of Holmen • Occupation — Actress Stage Director • Years Active — 1820–1874 • Spouse — Johan Ludvig Heiberg

Heiberg was second youngest of nine children born to German emigrants. Her father Christian Heinrich Pätges was Roman Catholic, her mother Henriette (née Hartwig or Hirschborn) was Jewish. She showed artistic gifts very early and entered ballet school in 1820. With the help of patrons she was promoted to the rank of an actress and made a successful debut in 1827. From then on she was considered a leading actress of Danish theatre.

In 1831 she married the much older critic and dramatist Johan Ludvig Heiberg (1791–1860). The marriage raised her position. The Heibergs became a Copenhagen concept and their home was a cultural centre. In return the dual position of Heiberg as the leading lady of the theatre married to its main playwright also aroused much jealousy and accusations of favouritism. Her husband's time as the director of the Royal Theatre 1849-56 ended in an open conflict with her colleagues, and for a short period she even left the theatre. The death of her husband in 1860 and her age caused her retirement as an actress 1864 though she worked as a stage director until 1874. Heiberg played about 275 roles. Her exotic beauty combined with culture and elegance secured her position. Among her roles were Shakespeare characters including Viola in Twelfth Night and especially in French comedies and dramas. In Danish dramas she appeared in Holberg's and Oehlenschläger's plays, and especially in her husband's dramas; notably in Elves' Hill (Elverhøi) was a classic. Her strength was intelligence, controlled passion and wit, but she did not show the same talent for tragedy. She especially inspired Henrik Hertz (1797–1870) to write many of his main female roles for her. She also wrote some few vaudeville acts herself; the most popular being “A Sunday at Amager” (En Søndag paa Amager).

Johanne Luise Heiberg was recorded at birth as Johanne Luise Pätges. The authorities additionally record the headings Johanne Luise Pätges, Johanne Luise Paetges and Johanne Luise Patges. Her recorded language was Danish. She married Johan Ludvig Heiberg.

Indexed under Musicology and Musical Analysis, Diversity and Impact of Dance, Research in Social Sciences, Historical Influence and Diplomacy. Recorded as having received Medal of Merit in Gold.

• Henning Fenger (1971) The Heibergs (Twayne Publishers; edited and translated by Frederick J. Marker)