Jussi Björling
Johann Jonatan Björling was born in Stora Tuna, Sweden, on February 5, 1911. His father, David Björling, was also a tenor. He, his father, and two brothers (Johann Olof [1909-1965]; and Karl Gustav [1912-1957] made tours beginning in 1916 as the Björling Male Quartet. The three boys went by the nicknames "Jussi, Olle, and Gösta." All three brothers, and even their younger brother Karl David ("Kalle," [1917-1875]) had singing careers. The Björling Male Quartet toured the United States from 1919 to 1921, and then returned to Sweden, remaining active until 1926. His voice remained strong and clear when it made the transition to tenor, suggesting intelligent coaching and training in technique from his father.
Björling began studies at the Stockholm Conservatory in 1928. His teachers were Joseph Hislop and John Forsell. His first operatic appearance at the Royal Swedish Opera was on July 21, 1930 in the brief part of the Lamplighter in Puccini's Manon Lescaut. This was intended as a warmup, for he had already been engaged to make his official debut there as Don Ottavio in Mozart's Don Giovanni (August 20, 1930), and soon went on to sing Arnold in Rossini's Guillaume Tell and Jonathan in Nielsen's Saul og David (Saul and David). He was a member of the repertory cast of the Stockholm Opera until 1938, and never broke his ties with that company.
Meanwhile, his international fame grew, and he gave a number of performances in the leading operatic venues of Europe. In 1937 he made his New York debut in a Carnegie Hall recital, an event that was broadcast live from the stage. That year he also appeared at the Metropolitan Opera for the first time, singing one of his signature roles, that of Rodolfo in Puccini's La Bohème. During the prewar years he appeared in the opera houses of San Francisco, Chicago, Covent Garden, and others. In 1935 he married Anna-Lisa Berg. New York and the rest of the world had to do without him during World War II, which he spent in neutral Sweden (1941-1945).
After the war he returned to the major world stages, appearing at the Metropolitan Opera every year but two from 1945 to 1959. His repertoire centered on Italian opera, in which he succeeded especially well in New York, but not so notably in Italy. His career in this respect resembles that of Martinelli, another tenor with a pure, strong voice and ringing top notes, who did without the vocal histrionics (such as sobbing catches in the voice) that are preferred in Italy. His major roles, in addition to Rodolfo, were other Puccini heroes, (Cavaradossi in Tosca, and Des Grieux in Manon Lescaut; Gounod's Faust, Verdi's Don Carlos, and the Duke of Mantua (Rigoletto). He possessed great tonal consistency throughout his register, a very smooth voice, exceptionally beautiful tone, and outstanding musicianship. His voice retained its purity and lack of strain throughout his career.
On March 15, 1960, he suffered a heart attack while in rehearsals for a performance as Rodolfo at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. Despite the discomfort, he persevered and sang the part. His final appearance was on August 20, 1960. He died in Stockholm on September 9, 1960, at the age of forty-nine.
Björling's legacy of recordings was substantial. His portrayal of Rodolfo was immortalized in a classic recording conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham. His Turandot, with Renata Tebaldi and his countrywoman Birgit Nilsson in the female roles and conducted by Erich Leinsdorf, is a classic credited with having sparked the delayed public acceptance of this last Puccini work. Some of his Swedish broadcast concerts, with a light-hearted and informal air, have been released as well.
© Joseph Stevenson /TiVo
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O helga natt (Adams julsång)
Christmas Music - Lançado por WM Sweden em 06/12/2017
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Puccini: La Bohème by Sir Thomas Beecham
Thomas Beecham, Victoria de los Angeles, Jussi Björling
Opera - Lançado por Alexandre Bak - Classical Music Reference Recording em 01/01/1956
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Merrill and Björling: Operatic Arias and Duets
Jussi Björling, Robert Merrill
Opera - Lançado por Prima Voce em 01/01/2008
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Icon: Jussi Bjorling
Classical - Lançado por Warner Classics em 21/09/2008
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Björling, Caruso and Gigli: Three Legendary Tenors in Opera and Song
Beniamino Gigli, Enrico Caruso, Jussi Björling
Opera - Lançado por Prima Voce em 01/01/1996
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Very Best of Jussi Björling
Classical - Lançado por Warner Classics em 15/02/2003
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Jussi Björling in Opera
Classical - Lançado por RCA Red Seal em 15/11/2013
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Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana - Leoncavallo: Paillasse (Mono Version)
Jussi Björling, Victoria de los Angeles, RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra, Renato Cellini
Miscellaneous - Lançado por BNF Collection em 01/01/1954
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Puccini: La bohème (Mono Version)
Victoria de los Angeles, Jussi Björling, RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Beecham
Miscellaneous - Lançado por BNF Collection em 01/01/1956
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
The Very Best of Jussi Björling - Pearl Fisher's Duet
Opera Extracts - Lançado por Musical Concepts em 05/10/2010
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Operatic Duets and Scenes
Jussi Björling, Robert Merrill, Renato Cellini
Classical - Lançado por RCA Red Seal em 15/11/2013
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Jussy Bjorling: Opera Arias, [1951 - 1957]
Jussi Björling, Rome Opera House Orchestra
Classical - Lançado por Classical Moments em 02/10/2010
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Jussi Björling (Swedish Songs)
Classical - Lançado por RCA Red Seal em 15/11/2013
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Verdi: Il Trovatore
Classical - Lançado por Regis Records em 01/01/2002
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Jussis mest önskade
Classical - Lançado por Warner Classics em 01/01/2000
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Till Havs (1957-1959)
Jussi Björling, Royal Orchestra, The, Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Nils Grevillius, Stig Westerberg
Classical - Lançado por Swedish Society em 01/01/1976
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Verdi: Aida
Zinka Milanov, Jussi Björling, Leonard Warren
Opera - Lançado por Urania em 25/04/2005
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Verdi: Il trovatore (Highlights)
Jussi Björling, Renato Cellini
Classical - Lançado por RCA Red Seal em 15/11/2013
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Jussi Björling at Carnegie Hall, New York City, March 2, 1958
Classical - Lançado por Sony Classical em 29/04/2016
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
CNR Classics, Vol. 1
Jussi Björling, Ema Johnson, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Classical - Lançado por Music 4me em 14/11/2015
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo