Ann-Mari Fröier

Swedish pianist and soprano vocalist, born Fröier 29 January 1925 in Vasa parish, Gothenburg, died 6 May 2017 in Stockholm. She performed as a soloist with, among others, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra with her debut in 1943, the Stockholm Concert Society Orchestra and the Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. In London she had a piano evening (recital) in Wigmore Hall. As a teenager, she appeared as a singer in the sphere of popular music; she sang jazz and swing and was described in the press as "Gothenburg's Alice Babs" or "the West Coast's Alice Babs". During this period she also appeared in the Royal revue together with, among others, Thor Modéen. In the 1940s, pianist Annie Fischer spent a few years in Stockholm. Ann Mari Fröier was one of her students during this time, after which she was accepted as a student at the Academy of Music in both piano and singing (soprano). The studies at the Academy of Music were completed in 1952, but Ann Mari Fröier returned there in the late 1960s to acquire formal competence as a teacher. For about ten years she performed extensively with the violinist Gert Crafoord; they were married between 1958 and 1965. She taught at the municipal music school, but also at the Statens musikdramatiska skola, Musikdramatiska skolan in Stockholm and Operahögskolan respectively. During the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, she was active as a rehearser at the Royal Theatre, but also with the Cullberg Ballet, the Cramér Ballet and eventually for many years at the Stockholm Ballet Studio. Between the ages of 75 and 80, Ann Mari Fröier was awarded a scholarship established by Gunnar de Frumerie and his wife. This became the starting point for a small string of concerts, where Ann Mari Fröier was soloist in piano concertos by Mozart (three times), Beethoven (once; in transcription for smaller ensemble) and Grieg. Ann Mari Fröier appeared as recently as April 2017.