The Royal Swedish Ballet is one of the oldest ballet companies in Europe. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, King Gustav III founded the ballet in 1773 as a part of his national cultural project in response to the French and Italian dominance in this field; he also founded the Royal Swedish Opera and the Royal Dramatic Theatre. All of these were initially located in the old theatre of Bollhuset. The troupe was founded with the opening of the Royal Swedish Opera, which has served as its home since that time.
The Royal Swedish Opera
Nadja Sellrup as Esmeralda in "Ringaren i Notre-Dame" ("The Hunchback of Notre-Dame"), a 2009 ballet at the Royal Swedish Opera.
Gustav III ,note on dates also called Gustavus III, was King of Sweden from 1771 until his assassination in 1792. He was the eldest son of King Adolf Frederick and Queen Louisa Ulrika of Sweden.
Portrait by Lorens Pasch, 1777
Gustav's outfit during the assassination
Portrait of Sophia Magdalena of Denmark, painted by Alexander Roslin in 1775
King Gustav III of Sweden and his Brothers; Gustav III (left) and his two brothers, Prince Frederick Adolf and Prince Charles, later Charles XIII of Sweden. Painting by Alexander Roslin.
