Hugo Emil Alfvén (1872–1960) was a Swedish composer, conductor, violinist, and painter. Alfvén was born on 1st May 1872 in Stockholm. He studied at the Music Conservatory there from 1887 to 1891, with the violin as his main instrument. He also took private composition lessons from Johan Lindegren, a leading counterpoint expert. He earned a living by playing the violin at the Royal Opera in Stockholm, and played the violin in the Hovkapellet (the Swedish court orchestra).