Digital Commons Network^™

A Memory Of Jussi Björling, George Shelby Weaver

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

After hearing Jussi Björling on 78- rpm and microgroove discs during my early years, I longed to hear him in person. The only opportunity came on April 2, 1959, in a recital at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that blessed my twentytwo- year-old ears and psyche. From the tenth row it was obvious that his voice soared through the entire auditorium with ease. Its brilliance was immediately captivating, the inimitable shimmer sustained from softest pianissimo to trumpeted fortissimo. It surpassed, of course, his excellently recorded RCA Victor “New Orthophonic” self.

Rosanna Carteri, 89, Gifted Italian Soprano Who Partnered An Era’S Greatest Stars, Has Died

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

One of the most beautiful and gifted Italian sopranos of her generation, Carteri made her professional debut at eighteen, as Elsa in Lohengrin at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome in 1949. Within the next few seasons, Carteri made house debuts at most of the principal Italian venues, including La Scala, Arena di Verona, La Fenice, Teatro di San Carlo and Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, as well as at Covent Garden, Paris Opéra and the Salzburg Festival. Celebrated for her elegance, impeccable technique and sympathetic stage presence, Carteri sang repertoire that ranged from Desdemona, Violetta, Alice Ford, Liù, Magda in La …

Hanna Hedman, 1934–2020, Harald Henrysson

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Record producer Hanna Hedman has passed away in June, 2020, after a long illness, just weeks before her 86th birthday. She is mourned by a sister and niece, their families and many friends.

Several Perspectives On Jussi Björling And La Bohème, Dan Shea

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Browsing the internet recently, I noticed Pristine Classical’s announcement of their new remastering of the “Beecham Bohème” and wondered how powerful modern sound engineering might affect the glorious vocalism of that 64 year old recording. The transcript engineer in charge, Andrew Rose, has built up a substantial catalogue of renovated recordings, mostly from the early LP era, often having surprising clarity and spatial ambience. Mr. Rose definitely seems to have very good taste concerning the artists his company features, including 13 of Jussi’s recordings from the era 1940-1957.

How Jussi’S Appearances On American Television First Made Their Way To Sweden, Kendall Svengalis

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

In the days before the founding of the Jussi Björling Society – USA, several future JBS board members established contact with Harald Henrysson who, at the time was record librarian at Swedish Radio. It was those contacts, and subsequent correspondence that eventually led, with Harald’s encouragement, to the founding of the JBS-USA in 1997. This account takes us back 34 years, to 1986, when I had my own unique Jussi Björling experiences in Sweden, thanks to Harald.

Jussi Björling On The Opera Stage: A Statistic Survey, Harald Henrysson

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The statistics comprise his complete opera and operetta performances. They include two (in Stockholm and New York), where he had to be replaced during the performance. A gala performance of Die Fledermaus at the Met, where he did not sing music from the operetta, is not included.

Giorgio Tozzi Remembers Jussi Björling, Walter B. Rudolph

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Simply stated, Giorgio Tozzi was my idol as a teenager. I felt very isolated from opera in Cody, Wyoming, even though the Community Concert series had allowed me to hear Igor Gorin, Jon Crain and Maureen Forrester in recital. I knew names from the annual photo booklet supplied by the Community Concert Association, which my mother always received because she sold tickets.

Jbs-Usa Chicago Conference Postponed To 2022, Janel E. Lundgren

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

As we announced in last November, we have successfully moved our Chicago Conference to April of 2022.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg And Jbs-Usa, Dan Shea

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Much has been said and written in praise of this phenomenal woman since her passing in September 2020, especially about her substantial influence in the world as a champion of justice, and as a legal, cultural and feminist icon. We join in the celebration of her life by remembering her love of opera and her superb taste in tenors.

Following is a reprint of two articles from the JBS-USA Journal 13, Fall 2001, recounting the June 26, 2001 presentation by Bertil Bengtsson at the Smithsonian Institute in cooperation with the Embassy of Sweden and JBS-USA, an event attended by Justice …

Companion Translation Coming For Jussi Björling, En Minnesbok, Janel E. Lundgren

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

JBS-USA is excited to announce plans to privately publish in 2021 a companion volume of the English translation of the book, Jussi Björling, en minnesbok.

Björling Concerts In Immortal Performances Set, Kristian Krogholm

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Jussi Björling`s very first US concerts are finally to be released on CD. That was about time. It only took 83 years. On the new stupendous 6-CD Björling tribute set from Immortal Performances, we find two of the three radio appearances he made from Carnegie Hall in 1937: the first from 28 November and the third from 19 December. The second concert from 5 December has already appeared on CD (VAIA1189 and WHRA 6036).

A Remarkable Treasure Trove Of Recordings, Ken Meltzer

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

A glorious 6-disc (priced as 5) set from Immortal Performances features complete recordings of three Met performances by the brilliant Swedish tenor Jussi Björling, all from his final season at the Met.

The New Cd Set From Immortal Performances: Essential Listening, Henry Fogel

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Almost all performing artists exhibit differences between their studio recordings and their live performances (and, hopefully, also between different live performances). The degree of that difference can vary mightily from artist to artist. One tenor in whom this difference was very strongly pronounced was Jussi Björling. As fine as his studio recordings are, and some of them are extraordinary, the intensity and musical imagination he brought to live performances invariably increase compared with what we hear on his studio records. This remarkable compilation from Immortal Performances is essential listening for anyone who admires the great Swedish tenor. The three performances …

Stockholm Headline: The Jussi Björling Museum Will Be Closed Down: “It’S Sad That There Is So Little Pride In Father There.”, Carl-Henric Malmgren

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

After 26 years the Jussi Björling museum in Borlänge will be closed down for good. Diminishing visit figures and a strained economy are the given reasons, but the handling by the local authority is questioned. “This is what always happens to culture, when the bureaucrats have free hands”, says the opera singer Marcus Jupiter.

The Jussi Björling Museum Closed After 26 Years, Harald Henrysson

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

For several years, the future of the Jussi Björling Museum has been discussed in the municipal administration in Borlänge, the city where Jussi was born in 1911 and which owns and runs the museum. For some time, the administration had planned to move it from its present building, where it opened in 1994. Since it was unclear when and where the museum would be moved and what activities it would have in the future, on 29 April 2020 the three Jussi Björling societies sent a letter to the Department of Cultural and Recreational Activities in Borlänge, stressing the importance of …

From The President, Janel E. Lundgren

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

First, the JBS-USA Board of Directors joins me in sending our best greetings to you all, with the hope that you all are safe and well.

Front Matter

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Full Issue

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Ix. Up And Coming, Mickey Dove

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

In my next letter, I'll bring you up to date on the activities discussed above, and will begin to share, hopefully, information about each of you with the Society.

Viii. Musical Notes, Dan Shea

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Until our newsletter established, I'll use this space to keep you informed of events that may be of interest. Please keep me posted on these kinds of events so that I can inform the Society.

Vii. Information We Would Like To Have From You

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

As we develop a contact/membership tracking database, we want to make sure that we have accurate information. In a subsequent letter, therefore, I'll be asking you to provide/verify information such as your address, telephone number, fax number, etc. I will also be asking each of you to indicate the level of financial support (if any) that you are considering so that we can develop a !998/99 budget. (We must provide the IRS with a copy of our proposed budget as part of the filing process)

Vi. Newsletter/Flyer

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Tom is working on developing an official flyer/brochure to distribute in response to inquiries. If you have suggestions regarding content or would like to assist with this effort, please contact Tom directly.

V. Legal Activities

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Dan is currently working to incorporate the Society in the state of Wisconsin. We have obtained all required forms from the IRS and are currently evaluating the most appropriate status to apply for at the federal level. I'll Keep you apprised of direction and progress.

Iv. Membership

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The Society expects to provide the following membership contribution levels, although we are still working out the details of the specific benefits to be offered at each level:

Iii. Mission And Objectives/Ethical Principles Of The Jussi Bjorling Society - Usa, Mickey Dove

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

We are working toward finalizing a statement of mission and objectives and expect to have this task completed by the end of March. I'll provide the full text of the statement to you as soon as we have agreement on the exact wording.

Ii. Information On The Founding Sponsors

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

For those of you who are asking, "But just who are the people involved in forming this Society? And what's their interest in Jussi Bjorling?" the following biographical information may be helpful:

I. Official Announcement

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Frist, we want to recognize Mr. Harald Henrysson, Curator of the Jussi Bjorling Museum in Borlange, Sweden, for his invaluable advice and support. It was through Harald's generosity in allowing us to use the Museum's website for our official announcement that this key first step was made possible. The text of the announcement follows:

Dear Friends, Mickey Dove

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Welcome to The Jussi Bjorling Society - USA and to our official letter!

I'm Florence (Mickey) Dove, one of the organizers of the US Society. Dan, Tom, Andy, and I want to thank you for your patience as we address the structural elements and myriad organizational detail required to establish the Society properly.

Ix. Up And Coming

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

In my next letter, I'll share more biographical information, bring you up to date on legal matters, etc.

Viii. Sponsor Information

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Sponsor Information with addresses and email.