Linda Cullberg Lampenius, better known by her maiden name Linda Lampenius and international stage name Linda Brava, was born on February 26, 1970, and is a renowned Finnish classical concert violinist. Her exceptional versatility has enabled her to perform a wide range of genres, including pop, rock, folk, techno, film, jazz, and world music, solidifying her reputation as one of the most accomplished players of her generation.
Born into a Swedish-speaking Finnish family, Brava's upbringing was deeply rooted in music, with her father, Börje Lampenius, being a former theatre director, actor, singer, and composer of musicals and operettas. Her mother, Ulla Eklund, was a former actress and singer, and both parents worked at the Swedish Theatre in Helsinki. This family background undoubtedly nurtured Brava's early interest in music.
Brava began studying the violin at the age of five under the guidance of Géza Szilvay, the developer of the Colourstrings method. She made her debut as a member and soloist of the Helsinki Strings at the age of seven, performing alongside musicians significantly older than herself. This early start set the stage for her illustrious career.
In addition to her music career, Brava has also appeared in various films and television shows. She made her acting debut in the Finnish film classic "Akseli ja Elina" in 1970, playing her mother's daughter-in-arms. Throughout her childhood, Brava had small roles in productions of the Swedish Theatre, touring in Sweden and Norway with the company. Since the 1990s, she has appeared in several Finnish and Swedish TV series, including "Kadonnut näky", "Uuno Turhapuro", and "Cleo".
Brava has also starred in the Finnish comedy television series "Kultajukka & kumppanit" on YLE, where she parodied her own public image in Finland, playing the "Media Linda", a stereotypical blonde character who carries a violin and invades various settings in revealing outfits.
During her time in Los Angeles, Brava was offered roles in "Fame L.A.", "Melrose Place", and "Baywatch", as well as a television talk show as its musical guest host. Although she refused to sign long-term contracts, she agreed to appear in one episode of "Fame L.A." as a guest star, playing Ilsa Lundqvist, a Swedish violinist who ends up playing at a Christmas party of an art school. She also appeared in one episode of "Baywatch", portraying Ariana, a European violinist in trouble. Both shows featured music from Brava's pop album, including the tracks "Violator" and "Aquamarine".
