Immerse yourself in the golden age of opera with "Icon: Jussi Björling," a comprehensive collection celebrating the legendary Swedish tenor Jussi Björling. Released on September 22, 2008, this five-disc box set is a testament to Björling's enduring legacy and his status as one of the 20th century's most revered operatic singers. Spanning a generous duration of 2 hours and 38 minutes, this album features 42 meticulously curated tracks, offering a rich tapestry of some of the most beloved arias and duets from the opera repertoire.
From the soaring heights of Verdi's "Aida" and "Rigoletto" to the heart-wrenching beauty of Puccini's "Tosca" and "La Bohème," Björling's voice shines with unparalleled clarity and passion. The album also includes lesser-known gems and popular songs, such as "O sole mio" and "Nessun dorma," showcasing the tenor's versatility and artistry. Each track is a masterclass in vocal technique and dramatic expression, providing a deep dive into the world of opera for both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
"Icon: Jussi Björling" is not just a compilation of songs but a journey through the career of one of the most celebrated tenors in history. The album features both mono and stereo recordings, offering a glimpse into the evolution of sound technology and Björling's enduring appeal across different eras. Whether you're a longtime admirer of Jussi Björling or discovering his artistry for the first time, this album is an essential addition to any classical music collection.
Verdi: Aïda, Act 1 Scene 1: Romanza, "Se quel guerrier io fossi! … Celeste Aida" (Radames)Giuseppe Verdi, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius, Unidentified Orchestra
Verdi: Rigoletto, Act 3 Scene 2: "La donna è mobile" (Duca)Giuseppe Verdi, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
La Bohème (1997 Digital Remaster): Che gelida maninaGiacomo Puccini, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster): Recondita armonia (Act 1)Giacomo Puccini, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster): E lucevan le stelle (Act 3)Giacomo Puccini, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
La Fanciulla del West (1997 Digital Remaster): Ch'ella mi creda liberoGiacomo Puccini, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
La Gioconda (1997 Digital Remaster): Cielo e mar!Amilcare Ponchielli, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
L'Africaine (1997 Digital Remaster): Mi batte il cor....O ParadisGiacomo Meyerbeer, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Tosti: IdealeFrancesco Paolo Tosti, Jussi Björling, Nils Grevillius, Royal Swedish Orchestra
Di Capua: O sole mioEduardo di Capua, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Friml: Only A Rose (from the Michael Curtiz's 1956 Film "The Vagabond King")Rudolph Friml, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius, Unidentified Orchestra
Geehl: For You AloneHenry Geehl, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius, Unidentified Orchestra
Massenet: Manon, Act 2: "Instant charmant" - "En fermant les yeux, je vois là-bas" (Des Grieux)Jules Massenet, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius, Royal Orchestra
Carmen: La fleur que tu m'avais jetée (Act II) - 1997 Remastered VersionGeorges Bizet, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Faust: Salut! demeure chaste et pure (Act III) - 1997 Remastered VersionCharles Gounod, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Martha (1997 Digital Remaster): M'appari tutt'amorFriedrich von Flotow, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Rossini: Stabat Mater: II. Aria, "Cujus animam gementem" (Tenor). Allegro maestosoGioachino Rossini, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius, Unidentified Orchestra
Verdi: Messa da Requiem: II. Sequence, 8. Ingemisco (Tenor)Giuseppe Verdi, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius, Unidentified Orchestra
Verdi: Il trovatore, Act 3 Scene 6: "Ah sì, ben mio, coll'essere" (Manrico)Giuseppe Verdi, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius, Unidentified Orchestra
Verdi: Il trovatore, Act 3 Scene 6: "Di quella pira … l'orrendo foco" (Manrico)Giuseppe Verdi, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius, Unidentified Orchestra
Il Trovatore (1997 Digital Remaster): Ah! sì, ben mio, coll'essereGiuseppe Verdi, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Il Trovatore (1997 Digital Remaster): Di quella piraGiuseppe Verdi, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Rigoletto (1997 Digital Remaster): Questa o quellaGiuseppe Verdi, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
La Bohème (1997 Digital Remaster): O soave fanciullaGiacomo Puccini, Hjördis Schymberg/Jussi Björling/Orchestra/Nils Grevillius, Nils Grevillius, Orchestra
Rigoletto (1997 Digital Remaster): E il sol dell'animaGiuseppe Verdi, Hjördis Schymberg/Jussi Björling/Orchestra/Nils Grevillius, Nils Grevillius, Orchestra
Verdi: Rigoletto, Act 1 Scene 1: No. 2b, Ballata, "Questa o quella per me pari sono" (Duca)Giuseppe Verdi, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Un ballo in maschera: Di tu se fedele (Act I) - 1997 Remastered VersionGiuseppe Verdi, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Turandot: Nessun dorma (Act III) - 1997 Remastered VersionGiacomo Puccini, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Giordano: Andrea Chénier, Act 4: "Come un bel dì di maggio" (Chénier)Umberto Giordano, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius, Unidentified Orchestra
Fedora: Amor ti vieta (Act II) - 1997 Remastered VersionUmberto Giordano, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana: "Mamma, quel vino è generoso" (Turiddu)Pietro Mascagni, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius, Unidentified Orchestra
I Pagliacci (1997 Digital Remaster): Recitar!....Vesti la giubbaRuggero Leoncavallo, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Leoncavallo: Mattinata in D MajorRuggero Leoncavallo, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Donizetti: L'elisir d'amore, Act 2 Scene 7: No. 11, Romanza, "Una furtiva lagrima" (Nemorino)Gaetano Donizetti, Jussi Björling, Nils Grevillius, Royal Swedish Orchestra
Bizet: Les Pêcheurs de perles, WD 13, Act 1: No. 4, Romance, "Je crois entendre encore, caché sous les palmiers" (Nadir)Georges Bizet, Jussi Björling, Nils Grevillius, Royal Swedish Orchestra
Roméo et Juliette (1997 Digital Remaster): Ah! lève-toi, soleilCharles Gounod, Jussi Björling, Nils Grevillius
Massenet: Manon, Act 3: "Je suis seul" - "Ah ! Fuyez, douce image" (Des Grieux)Jules Massenet, Jussi Björling, Nils Grevillius, Royal Orchestra
Cilèa: L'Arlesiana, Act 2: "È la solita storia del pastore" (Federico)Francesco Cilea, Jussi Björling, Nils Grevillius, Stockholm Concert Society Orchestra
Cavalleria Rusticana (1997 Digital Remaster): O Lola (Siciliana)Pietro Mascagni, Jussi Björling, Nils Grevillius
Puccini: Manon Lescaut, Act 1: "Donna non vidi mai" (Des Grieux)Giacomo Puccini, Jussi Björling, Nils Grevillius, Royal Swedish Orchestra
Puccini: Tosca, Act 1 Scene 3: "Recondita armonia" (Cavaradossi)Giacomo Puccini, Jussi Björling, Nils Grevillius, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Puccini: Tosca, Act 3 Scene 2: "E lucevan le stelle" (Cavaradossi)Giacomo Puccini, Jussi Björling, Nils Grevillius, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
La Bohème (1977 Digital Remaster): O soave fanciullaGiacomo Puccini, Anna-Lisa Björling/Jussi Björling/Stockholm Concert Society Orchestra/Nils Grevillius, Nils Grevillius
Gounod: Roméo et Juliette, CG 9, Act 1 Scene 7: No. 4, Madrigal, "Ange adorable, ma main coupable" (Roméo, Juliette)Charles Gounod, Anna-Lisa Björling/Jussi Björling/Stockholm Concert Association Orchestra/Nils Grevillius, Nils Grevillius, Stockholm Concert Society Orchestra
Jocelyn Op. 109 (1997 Digital Remaster): Berceuse: Concealed in this RetreatBenjamin Godard, Jussi Björling, Nils Grevillius
L'alba separa dalla luce l'ombra - 1997 Remastered VersionFrancesco Paolo Tosti, Jussi Björling, Nils Grevillius
För Dig Allen' (For You Alone) - 2008 Remastered VersionAnita Halldén, Henry Geehl, P. J. O'Reilly, Jussi Björling, Nils Grevillius
Mattinata - 2008 Remastered VersionRuggero Leoncavallo, Jussi Björling, Nils Grevillius
Roméo et Juliette (1997 Digital Remaster): Höj dig, du klara sol (Ah! lève-toi soleil!)Charles Gounod, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Rigoletto (1997 Digital Remaster): O, I kvinnor (Questa o quella)Giuseppe Verdi, Jussi Björling, Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
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.