Gesine Judith Hagerup

Gesine Judith Hagerup (1814–1875) – mother of the composer Edvard Grieg. She was the daughter of Edvard Hagerup, a lawyer and politician of Danish origins. In 1836, she married Alexander Grieg. She was musically trained. In Hamburg, she had lessons in singing, piano and music theory. She was a talented pianist, and honed her skills in London on trips with her husband. She was concerned with the development of cultural life in Bergen, organising concerts and musical soirées. Together with her husband, she provided suitable conditions for their son’s talent to flourish. When Edvard was six, she was his first piano teacher.