Dive into the golden age of opera with "Jussi at Gröna Lund," a captivating collection of live recordings featuring the legendary Swedish tenor Jussi Björling. This album, released by Bluebell in 2012, showcases Björling's extraordinary vocal prowess and artistry, capturing performances from the 1950s and 1960s that have become the stuff of legend. With a runtime of over three hours, this comprehensive set includes 65 tracks that span a wide range of operatic arias and art songs, sung in Swedish, Italian, English, and German.
Jussi Björling, one of the most celebrated operatic singers of the 20th century, delivers breathtaking performances of beloved works from operas such as "Carmen," "Rigoletto," "La Bohème," and "Andrea Chénier." The album also features lesser-known gems and traditional Swedish folk songs, offering a rich and varied listening experience. Björling's velvety tenor and impeccable technique shine through in each selection, from the tender and intimate to the dramatic and powerful.
Accompanied by pianist Bertil Bokstedt and conductor Harry Ebert, Björling's performances are brought to life with sensitivity and skill. The live recordings, taken from concerts at the Gröna Lund amusement park in Stockholm, capture the energy and excitement of Björling's stage presence, making this album a treasure trove for opera enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Whether you're a seasoned opera lover or simply appreciate the beauty of the human voice, "Jussi at Gröna Lund" is an unforgettable journey through the world of classical vocal artistry.
2012 Bluebell2012 Bluebell
Tracks
Trollsjon (The Enchanted Lake)August Söderman, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Prince Igor (Knyaz Igor), Act II: Medlenno den ugasal (Slowly the day has faded) (Sung in Swedish)Alexander Borodin, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Ideale (version for voice and piano)Francesco Paolo Tosti, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
3 Sanger: No. 3. Till havs (Toward the Sea)Gustaf Nordqvist, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Land du valsignade (O Thou Blessed Land)Ragnar Althen, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
BecauseGuy d'Hardelot, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Gedichte von Eduard Morike: No. 12. VerbogenheitHugo Wolf, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Es muss ein Wunderbares sein, S314/R590Franz Liszt, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
4 Visor i folkton (4 Folk Ballads), Op. 5: No. 3. Som stjarnorna pa himmelen (As the Stars High in the Sky)Wilhelm Peterson-Berger, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
3 Sanger: No. 3. Till havs (Toward the Sea)Gustaf Nordqvist, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Andrea Chenier, Act IV: Come un bel di di maggioUmberto Giordano, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Morgon (Morning)Einar Eklöf, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Torna a Surriento (Come Back to Sorrento)Ernesto de Curtis, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute), K. 620, Act I: Arie: Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schon (Sung in Swedish)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
3 Lieder, Op. 29, TrV 172: No. 1. Traum durch die DammerungRichard Strauss, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
4 Lieder, Op. 27, TrV 170: No. 2. CacilieRichard Strauss, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
Aftonstamning (Evening Mood)Sven August Korling, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
Nar jag for mig sjalv i morka skogen gar (When I Walk Alone in the Dark Forest)Wilhelm Peterson-Berger, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
Morgon (Morning)Einar Eklöf, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
3 Sanger: No. 3. Till havs (Toward the Sea)Gustaf Nordqvist, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
Der Bettelstudent, Act III: Ich hab' kein Geld, bin vogelfrei (Sung in Swedish)Carl Millöcker, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute), K. 620, Act I: Arie: Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schon (Sung in Swedish)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
6 Songs, Op. 4: No. 3. V molchan'i nochi taynoy (In the Silence of the Secret Night) (Sung in English)Sergei Rachmaninoff, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Carmen: Carmen, Act II: Flower Song: La fleur que tu m'avais jeteeGeorges Bizet, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Aftonstamning (Evening Mood)Sven August Korling, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
3 Sanger: No. 3. Till havs (Toward the Sea)Gustaf Nordqvist, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Der Bettelstudent, Act III: Ich hab' kein Geld, bin vogelfrei (Sung in Swedish)Carl Millöcker, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Land du valsignade (O Thou Blessed Land)Ragnar Althen, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Torna a Surriento (Come Back to Sorrento)Ernesto de Curtis, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
La Gioconda, Act II: Cielo! E mar!Amilcare Ponchielli, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Mignon (Sung in Swedish): Mignon, Act III: Ah, non credevi tu (Sung in Swedish)Ambroise Thomas, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Un ballo in maschera, Act I: Di' tu se fedeleGiuseppe Verdi, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
4 Lieder, Op. 27, TrV 170 (text by J.H. Mackay and H. Hart): No. 4. MorgenRichard Strauss, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
4 Lieder, Op. 27, TrV 170 (text by J.H. Mackay and H. Hart): No. 2. CacilieRichard Strauss, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Cavalleria rusticana: Mamma, quel vino e generosoPietro Mascagni, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
3 Sanger: No. 3. Till havs (Toward the Sea)Gustaf Nordqvist, Jussi Björling, Bertil Bokstedt
Aida: Aida, Act I: Celeste AidaGiuseppe Verdi, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
Martha (Sung in Italian): Martha, Act III: M'appari tutt'amor (Sung in Italian)Friedrich von Flotow, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
6 Lieder, Op. 17, TrV 149: No. 2. StandchenRichard Strauss, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
6 Songs, Op. 36: No. 6. Demanten pa marssnon (The Diamond on the March Snow)Jean Sibelius, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
La boheme, Act I: Che gelida maninaGiacomo Puccini, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
Rigoletto, Act III: La donna e mobileGiuseppe Verdi, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
Der Bettelstudent, Act III: Ich hab' kein Geld, bin vogelfrei (Sung in Swedish)Carl Millöcker, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
Land du valsignade (O Thou Blessed Land)Ragnar Althen, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
Carmen: Carmen, Act II: Flower Song: La fleur que tu m'avais jeteeGeorges Bizet, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
Tonerna (Visions)Carl Leopold Sjöberg, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
Jungfrun under lind (The Maiden under the Linden-Tree)Wilhelm Peterson-Berger, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
L'alba separa dalla luce l'ombra (version for voice and piano)Francesco Paolo Tosti, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
Andrea Chenier, Act IV: Come un bel di di maggioUmberto Giordano, Jussi Björling, Harry Ebert
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.