Torvald Tu & Trygve Johannes Stangeland

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Torvald Tu (22 July 1893 – 15 January 1955) was a Norwegian poet, playwright, novelist and writer of humoresques. From 1937 he lived with musician Trygve Johannes Stangeland (1898–1969). They also cooperated professionally on many occasions. Tu died in January 1955 near his home.

He was born in Klepp as a son of farmers. His literary debut was the 1914 play Storbrekkmyri, and his first poetry collection Blomar fraa heid came in 1915. He wrote in Nynorsk with strong hints of his own Jæren dialect. His most successful play was the musical comedy Kjærleik på Lykteland, issued in 1923 and staged at Det Norske Teatret. The play had music composed by Per Reidarson, and was produced by Agnes Mowinckel, with Lars Tvinde as the elder bachelor, and Mally Haaland portraying the anxious-to-be-married Anna Saueland. The play was one of the greatest successes for Det Norske Teatret, and simultaneously went on two parallel tours. In 1929 Tu's comedy Friarleik på Liland, with music by Trygve Stangeland, was staged at Det Norske Teatret. His comedy Bertels gjenvordigheter, was played 133 times in 1933 at Komedieteatret in Bergen, which also staged several others of his plays. His works became very popular at Nynorsk amateur theatres throughout the country.

In total he issued over fifty books, and some works have been translated to other languages, notably Swedish and Faroese. He also contributed to newspapers and magazines. His song Sjå Jæren, gamle Jæren has later achieved status as a "national" song for the Jæren district, and his popular humoresques have seen new and increasing popularity in later years. After the German occupation of Norway ended in 1945, a minor controversy arose as Tu was admonished by the Norwegian Authors' Union for not following the union policy to "strike" during the occupation—Tu had released four titles in 1943.


Torvald Tu (22 July 1893 – 15 January 1955) was a Norwegian poet, playwright, novelist and writer of humoresques. From 1937 he lived with musician Trygve Johannes Stangeland (1898–1969). They also cooperated professionally on many occasions. Tu died in January 1955 near his home. His most successful play was the musical comedy Kjærleik på Lykteland, issued in 1923 and staged at Det Norske Teatret. The play had music composed by Per Reidarson, and was produced by Agnes Mowinckel.



Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torvald_Tu

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Torvald and Trygve

[(Anonymous)]

Dear Elsa,
Thank you so much for the ramblings on Torvald and Trygve. Do you know Norwegian?

I come from this area, and know the culture well. I remember as youth it was always a hit in weddings and gatherings to be able to read or preferably recite Torvald Tu's humorous text, with the right tone and dialect.

I have spoken to older people who knew who he was or had heard of him. It was common knowledge that he lived with a man. It was registered, but not acknowlegded what that entailed.

They seemed to have been accepted by the neighbors, perhaps because they never drew attention to the fact that they were lovers: they were 2 bachelors living together. They were known as 2 likable, honest and friendly neighbors.

Actually, Torvald built their little house in 1924 and called the place Mosberghagen. Trygve lived in Stavanger (a city north of Klepp/ Mosberghagen) with his parents, and he would commute most weekends to Torvald and Mosberghagen.At times Torvald would come to Stavanger and visit his lover. Torvald was welcomed in the family, was invited to their family gatherings. Trygve commuted for 14 years, and was well known locally already. After his parents died he moved in 1937 or 38 permanently to Mosberghagen. The house was extended with an extra room for Trygve's piano.

The pair struggled financially, especially during the war (1940-1945). Trygve became seriously ill for some years, with weak lungs and bad nerves. he was an eminent pianist, but developed stage fright and were not able to perform any longer. Torvald took care of him and was the breadwinner.

Torvald writes at a time he thinks Trygve might die: "the times we calm ourselves and talk together, becomes more pleasurable and treasured as time goes by. It hurts think a life without him" "Our most deeply pleasurable friendship through 25 years. Not one day has any of us regretted that we became "intimate bestfriends".

Trygve got well and lived 15 years after Torvald died. He inherited everything and lived in their house Mosberghagen till he died. (source: John Olav Gatland: "Torvald Tue- Eit dikterliv." Det Norske Samlag 2008)

I find all of this most amazing and a true joy to know.

Astrid

Re: Torvald and Trygve

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Thank you this is wonderful, no I don't know Norwegian, and struggled to find info about them. It's a pity, I'd have loved to include them in my book. Elisa