Experience the golden voice of the legendary Swedish tenor Jussi Björling in this captivating collection of live performances, recorded between 1945 and 1958. This album, released by Bluebell Records, showcases Björling's extraordinary vocal prowess and his commanding stage presence, capturing him at the height of his career.
Spanning a diverse repertoire of 18 tracks, this album features a mix of operatic arias and Swedish songs, demonstrating Björling's versatility and linguistic agility. From beloved arias like "Una furtiva lagrima" from L'elisir d'amore and "Je crois entendre encore" from Les pêcheurs de perles to enchanting Swedish folk songs, each track is a testament to Björling's artistry and his ability to connect with his audience.
Recorded live at Stockholm’s Concert Hall and other venues, these performances offer an intimate glimpse into Björling's live performances, allowing you to experience the magic of his voice as if you were there in the audience. The album includes a mix of languages, with some tracks sung in Swedish, showcasing Björling's deep connection to his roots and his ability to sing in multiple languages with equal finesse.
Whether you're a longtime fan of Jussi Björling or discovering his voice for the first time, this album is a treasure trove of operatic and vocal delights. With a total duration of 1 hour and 9 minutes, it's the perfect way to spend an evening immersed in the beautiful world of opera and Swedish song. Don't miss this opportunity to own a piece of musical history and experience the magic of Jussi Björling's voice.
2012 Bluebell2012 Bluebell
Tracks
6 Songs, Op. 36 (text by G. Froding and E. Josephson): No. 4. Sav, sav, susa (Reed, reed, rustle)Jean Sibelius, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Georg Ludwig Jochum
6 Songs, Op. 36 (text by G. Froding and E. Josephson): No. 1. Svarta rosor (Black Roses)Jean Sibelius, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Georg Ludwig Jochum
4 Lieder, Op. 27, TrV 170: No. 4. MorgenRichard Strauss, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Georg Ludwig Jochum
6 Lieder, Op. 17, TrV 149: No. 2. StandchenRichard Strauss, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Georg Ludwig Jochum
Carmen: Carmen, Act II: Flower Song: La fleur que tu m'avais jeteeGeorges Bizet, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Georg Ludwig Jochum
Cavalleria rusticana: Mamma, quel vino e generosoPietro Mascagni, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Georg Ludwig Jochum
Manon Lescaut, Act I: Donna non vidi mai simile a questa!Giacomo Puccini, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Georg Ludwig Jochum
Manon: Manon, Act III: Je suis seul! … Ah! fuyez, douce imageJules Massenet, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Tor Mann
ElegieJules Massenet, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Tor Mann
Les pecheurs de perles (The Pearl Fishers), Act I: Je crois entendre encore, cache sous les palmiersGeorges Bizet, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Tor Mann
L'elisir d'amore (The Elixir of Love), Act II: Una furtiva lagrimaGaetano Donizetti, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Tor Mann
L'arlesiana, Act II: E la solita storiaFrancesco Cilea, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Tor Mann
Lohengrin, Act III: In fernem Land, unnahbar eu'ren Schritten (Sung in Swedish)Richard Wagner, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Sten Frykberg
Trollsjon (The Enchanted Lake)August Söderman, Jussi Björling, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Stig Westerberg
Kung Heimer och Aslog (King Heimer and Aslog)August Söderman, Jussi Björling, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Stig Westerberg
4 Visor i folkton (4 Folk Ballads), Op. 5: No. 1. Nar jag for mig sjalv i morka skogen gar (When I Walk Alone in the Dark Forest)Wilhelm Peterson-Berger, Jussi Björling, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Stig Westerberg
4 Visor i folkton (4 Folk Ballads), Op. 5: No. 4. Bland skogens hoga furustammar (Among the High Fir-Trees in the Forest)Wilhelm Peterson-Berger, Jussi Björling, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Stig Westerberg
Ett folk, Op. 22: No. 2. Sverige (Sweden)Wilhelm Stenhammar, Jussi Björling, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Stig Westerberg
Jussi Björling, born Johan Jonatan Björling, was a Swedish tenor celebrated as one of the most renowned operatic singers of the 20th century. His powerful and versatile voice captivated audiences worldwide, particularly at the prestigious Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Björling's repertoire spanned Italian, French, and Russian operas, each performed with exquisite taste and mastery. His performances at major European opera houses, including the Royal Opera House in London and La Scala in Milan, further cemented his status as a true vocal virtuoso. Björling's legacy endures as a testament to his extraordinary talent and enduring impact on the world of opera.
Vinylscout
Jussi Björling
