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Fredrik Pacius (Finnish pronunciation:[ˈfreːdrikˈpɑːsiʉs],Finland Swedish:[ˈfreːdrikˈpɑːsiʉs]ⓘ); in German and in EstonianFriedrich Pacius; 19 March 1809 – 8 January 1891)[1] was a German-Finnish composer and conductor who lived most of his life in Finland. He has been called the "Father of Finnish music".
Pacius was born inHamburg. He was appointed music teacher at theUniversity of Helsinki in 1834. InHelsinki he founded a musical society, the student choirAkademiska Sångföreningen and an orchestra. In 1848, Pacius wrote the music to the poem "Vårt land" byJohan Ludvig Runeberg, which was to become commonly accepted as Finland'snational anthem. The same melody was also used for theEstonian national anthem "Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm" and theLivonian ethnic anthem "Min izāmō, min sindimō".
In 1852, he composedKung Karls jakt (English:King Charles' Hunt; Finnish:Kaarle-kuninkaan metsästys), which was the first Finnish opera, with alibretto in the style ofRomantic nationalism, like the national anthem designed to convince Finland'sgrand duke (i.e. theRussian EmperorNicholas I) of the total loyalty of his subjects in Finland. The libretto was written by the author and historianZacharias Topelius in close collaboration with Pacius.
His compositions also include aviolin concerto, asymphony, astring quartet and several other operas.
Pacius died in Helsinki, aged 81.
