Alma Fohström

Alma Evelina Fohström-von Rode (1856–1936) was a Finnish operatic coloratura soprano who gained international fame as she performed in the world's most famous opera houses and for a number of monarchs and emperors. “Finnish Nightingale” Alma Fohström was one of the famous sopranos in the late 19th century due to the purity and beauty of her lyrical voice and the high quality of her bel canto technique. Her voice had perfectly equalized vocal registers and a silver tone. Regarding her voice, international music critics said that Nordic prima donna Alma Fohström had a crystalline, and a very high soprano voice. Her vocal range was wide from low a to high F (a–f3).

Biography Born on 2 January 1856 in Helsinki, Fohström was the daughter of August Fridolf Fohström (1828–93), a rich Swedish-speaking Finnish merchant, and his wife, Henriette Sofia Stenqvist (1834–1918). One of seven children, she was the sister of cellist Ossian Fohström and opera singer Elin Fohström. She made her debut at the Finnish Opera in 1878.

In April 1878, Fohström performed at Berlin's Kroll Opera House, gaining immediate recognition. She went on to perform in some 200 venues in Europe, Asia and the Americas, singing for emperors and monarchs including Oscar II of Sweden, Wilhelm II of Germany, Franz Joseph of Austria, and Pedro I of Brazil. Thereafter she taught at the Helsinki Conservatory.

Alma Fohström died in Helsinki on 20 February 1936, aged 80.