Music Commons^™

Welcome To The Website Of Jbs-Usa Thank You, John Gee!

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

JBS-USA is very pleased to announce that our website was launched on February 5th (JB's birthday)! By the time that you receive this issue of the Journal, we hope that the technical bugs will have been exterminated, and that the site will be available for viewing by everyone.

The Discovery, Martin Ohman

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

One day, during one of my guest appearances at the Stockholm Opera, the telephone rang in my hotel room and a voice with a strong Dalecarlian accent asked. shyly if an audition would be possible. I told the caller he would be welcome to come and see me.

Jussi Bjorling, Bo Setterlind

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

It is sad to leaf through yellowed programmes, posters and newspaper cuttings from the Bjorling Male Quartet's American tour. They are forty years old now and are amongst the earliest items in print about Jussi Bjorling, his father and his brothers.

Foreword, Bertil Hagman

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

This book is just what its title indicates: a memorial book. It is not an exhaustive biography, nor is it an attempt to provide a proper analysis of the artist as such, even though it offers both biographical information about Jussi Bjorling and valuable opinions of his art and of him as a man. The intention is only that the book provide testimony about a famous man, by a few people - and for the many others - who came in contact with him, as colleagues, as friends and as admirers of his artistry.

Part 1: That's What My Father Did And So Do I

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Robert Merrill, singer, Metropolitan Opera

"I consider his voice, quality-wise, one of the most beautiful I've ever heard in my life. I don't think Jussi Bjorling could utter a bad tone. I've heard him, I've sung with him when he thought he was in bad voice, but the beauty, the quality, the ease, his technique were so magnificent that anything he did on the stage sounded beautiful."

From A French Thriller To The Thrilling Swede, Gail Campain

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Editor's Note: Gail and I began to correspond last fall, thanks to Harald Henrysson who provided her address in Australia and shared with me information regarding her translations of JB ' s Saga and En Minnesbok. Happily, Gail has Email which greatly expedited our conversations and the process of bringing her translations to you. As an introduction to her wonderful translations, Gail's personal "JB story" follows.

Reader Comments And Observations, Stuart Kaufman, Myrna Landau

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

From member Stuart Kaufman: "In the late 1960's, while listening to an all-night classical radio station in New York, an announcer (I think his name was Watson) programmed a night of Sibelius and Bjorling. Sometime during the night, I heard an inspiring and incomparably sung melody that has remained with me for thirty years, but I was unable to find out the identity of the song or composer during this entire period. Last month, while listening to a wonderful CD of Scandinavian songs and ballads sung by Bjorling, I finally heard the melody again ("Land, du valsignade" by Ragnor Althen). …

1947 Trovatore

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Harald Henrysson also reports that the larger portion of Jussi's 1947 Trovatore (December 27th broadcast recording with Stella Roman, Margaret Harshaw, and Leonard Warren, conducted by Emil Cooper) has been found in good sound by a Mr. Robert Fazio of the USA. Mr. Fazio believes that he has traced a good recording of the remaining parts, too. It may be that we shall finally have a complete version of this recording. We'll keep you informed as we receive more information.

Prophone

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Swedish Prophone Records will reissue, as a multimedia CD-ROM under the title "Till Havs", the famous Swedish Songs (originally issued by the Swedish Society Discofil) possibly in 1Q99. This CD-ROM will include scenes from Jussi's life and many of the items on display in the JB Museum. The sound is reported to be good, there is a significant amount of information(in both English and Swedish) contained on the disk, and the pictures include many previously unpublished ones of the recording session. Genealogical information is also included.

"Jussi Sings Puccini" From Bluebell

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

JBS-USA is indebted to Harald Henrysson, who authored the notes for the CD, for the information that follows.

Available From The Metropolitan

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The Metropolitan Opera has released a deluxe edition of the December 10, 1949, Manon Lescaut (Saturday matinee, Texaco-Metropolitan Opera House) with JB and Dorothy Kirsten as Manon. The cast includes Thomas Hayward as Edmondo and Giuseppe Valdengo as Lescaut; Giuseppe Antonicelli conducted. The set contains photographs from the rehearsal that have not been widely published previously if at all.

The Perfect Gift For Chocoholic Opera Lovers!

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Thanks to the Swedish chocolate company Marabou, it's now possible for lovers of chocolate and lovers of opera to satisfy both cravings at once! The company has released a box of chocolates (Fortuna Ouvertyr) with an enclosed classical CD that features Jussi as well as other famous artists such as Birgit Nilsson, Gosta Winberg, Elisabeth Soderstrom, Anne Sophie von Otter, and Sylvia Linderstrand. Jussi sings "Cielo e mar" (1959 Decca recording) and "Amor ti vieta" (also a 1959 Decca recording) and is pictured on the cover of the chocolate box. Truly a delicious idea! (Editor's Note: We're in the process …

Swedish Postage Stamp To Honor Jussi

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

During March, 1999, the Swedish government will release a most attractive postage stamp (one only) featuring Jussi and the once very popular jazz singer Alice Babs, who appeared with JB in the film "Resan till dej?" and whose recordings are still available on CD. The single stamp will be included in the second part of a series of stamps illustrating life in Sweden during the 20th century. The photograph of Jussi used on the stamp is apparently the same as the one used as a model for Jussi's statue in Borlange.

Update On The Original Three Tenors Documentary

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

In the last issue of the Journal, we reported on the documentary film "The Original Three Tenors" OB, Caruso, and Gigli) directed by Mr. Richard Fawkes, a freelance writer for "Opera Now." To bring our new members up to date, the documentary was privately financed by a JB fan who wishes to remain anonymous. The presenter in the film is Nigel Douglas, the well-known tenor and author.

Jussi And Me, William C. Clayton

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

"I cannot ever remember when singing was not a part of my life. In my earliest years, I was chiefly influenced by my mother's clear, sweet soprano; by radio concerts with the likes of John Charles Thomas, Nelson Eddy, James Melton, Robert Merrill, Mario Lanza, and Dorothy Kirsten; by the San Antonio opera from 1945 until 1955; by the Met broadcasts; by two years of singing lessons during which I became a serviceable second tenor (lots of heart, minimal instrument); by singing in the chorus when the Met visited San Antonio; and by collecting recordings, especially those of Jussi Bjorling.

Important Conference Note

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

We expect to begin sending out conference registration materials during the first two weeks in March. If you don't receive a packet of materials by the end of March, please contact Mickey Dove immediately.

A Message To Members Of The Jussi Bjorling Society- Usa, Dan Shea

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Thanks to wonderfully supportive help from our Advisory Board and the Embassy of Sweden, a conference to celebrate the life and art of Jussi Bjorling has been organized for June 1999. We can already tell you about our basic plans in enough detail so that you will know you can't miss this event!

Welcome! From The Editor's Desk, Mickey Dove

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

As you have likely noticed, a VERY special name has been added to our list of Honorary Advisors! JBS-USA is delighted to announce that Anna Lisa Bjorling-Barkman has agreed to lend her name to the Society. This is indeed a great honor for JBS-USA, and we are most appreciative of Mrs. Bjorling-Barkman's support and sponsorship. We are grateful to Anders Bjorling and Harald Henrysson who initiated our discussions with Mrs. Bjorling-Barkman.

Side Bar

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

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Front Matter

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

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