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The President’S Pen..., Terry Williams

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

A significant responsibility of each president of the Society is to edit and publish our Newsletters and Journals. Walter Rudolph edited and published the Journal that was mailed to everyone earlier this year. Wally did a magnificent job. This is my first publication. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed putting it together.

Full Issue

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Remembering Jussi Björling 75 Years Ago—1940

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Photos courtesy The Jussi Björling Museum, Borlänge.

“Gustav” Björling In The Movies!

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

On December 30th, 1946, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle published the following review about the Swedish movie, Hans Majestäts Rival (aka Kungens Rival, Queen for a Night, and His Majesty’s Rival).

Introducing Terry Williams

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

When I was 10, “The Glenn Miller Story” came to a movie theater near me in our small town of Galesburg, Illinois. My parents took me to see it. Well, before the end, I had determined that I, too, wanted to play the trombone. My parents actually bought one for me and, somehow, I learned to play it, and play it I did for the next ten years, including a couple of years as a trombone major at the Conservatory in Kansas City. At this point you may be asking what on earth my trombone playing has to do with …

Donors

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Again we acknowledge these extraordinary people, both members and non-members, who rallied to support the June 2015 Salt Lake City Conference of The Jussi Björling Society – USA. We extend our deep appreciation for their commitment and generosity

An Encounter With Javier Camarena, Enrique Gilardoni

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Since 1976 I live in Chile, a country that extends its crazy geography along more than 2,600 miles with a range that goes from the driest desert on the planet in the North to scenic South full of forests lakes and volcanoes.

Sir Christopher Lee— ‘I Still Believe I Was Born To Be An Opera Singer’, Walter B. Rudolph

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The actor Christopher Lee, who died at the age of 93 on June 7th, 2015, may have appeared in more films than anyone of his generation. Best known for portraying villains with his 6’5” frame, he was seen in James Bond, Star Wars and Lord of the Ring films, among many, many others. Here he reflects on an opera career that might have been...

A New Opera: Silverfågeln (Silver Bird), Goran Forsling

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

In the summer of 2015 a new opera about Swedish tenor Jussi Björling was premiered. It is based on journalist Yrsa Stenius’s book Tills vingen brister (2002), available in English translation as The Heart of Jussi Björling. The libretto is by Greta Sundberg. The music is composed by Mats Larsson Gothe, who recently had a great success at Norrlandsoperan in Umeå with Blanche och Marie about Nobel Prize Winner Marie Curie and her assistant and friend, Blanche Wittman.

Verdi: Il Trovatore

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Björling, Greco, Castagna, Valentino, Calusio (con). This thrilling performance presents the January 11, 1941 Björling Met broadcast in vastly improved sound with commentary by Milton Cross, remastered by Richard Caniell for Immortal Performances. The notes are by Stephen Hastings. Also included are biographies and recording notes plus rare photos. A bonus is the Björling March 10, 1952 Firestone Broadcast. (2 CDs).

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Sony/RCA has reissued the 1953 Björling/ Milanov/Merrill Cavalleria rusticana. The remastering is done by John Fredenburg from the original RCA tapes. Andy Pope reports excellent (sound) with Björling at his silvery best, the magnificent Milanov in her absolute prime and Merrill with his beautiful baritone; a must to have in very fine sound.

Jussi Björling’S Latest Cd, An Unexpected Discovery!, Dan Shea

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The alert went out last spring: Seth Winner had heard from a friend, John Haley of ARSC (the Association for Recorded Sound Collections), that a recording existed of Björling’s October 15, 1959, concert in Copenhagen.

President’S Comments, Walter B. Rudolph

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The end of September there was a “rerun” of a short interview about our June Salt Lake City Conference on a local television station. Immediately afterwards came two “friend requests” from old acquaintances. One I had not heard from in 30 plus years. Both were responsive to Jussi Björling, and I was again reminded of our tenor’s staying power.

Front Matter

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Full Issue

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Book And Cd Order Form-July 2015 Jussi Bjorling Society-Usa

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Our latest Books and CDs-perfect for gifts for Bjorling-appreciative friends (or yourself).

Jussi Bjorling Society-Order Form Audio Of 2015 Salt Lake City Conference

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The full audio content of the Salt Lake City Conference of JBS-USA is now available for purchase. (It does not include the Assembly Hall Recital or the auction.)

The price is $30.00* postpaid, delivered on a flash drive with MP3 audio or download version for $15.00* (the same MP3 files as on the flash drive)

Yet Another New Bjorling Cd?, Dan Shea

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Yes! We have learned of the unexpected existence of a tape of Jussi's October 15, 1959, concert at The Falconer Center in Copenhagen , with Bertil Bokstedt at the piano. A few of us have heard portions of 5 selections from this concert, "Die Mainacht" (Brahms), "Demanten pa marssnon" (Sibelius), "Ideale" (Tosti) , "Skogen sover" (Alfven), "Come un be! di di maggio" (Giordano: Andrea Chenier) , and they are all beautifully performed. Jussi seems to be in great form, as reviews confirm, and the tape was made well by a resident technician at that house.

Donors

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Extraordinary people, both members and non-members rallied to support the Salt Lake City Conference of The Jussi Bjorling Society- USA. We extend our deep appreciation for their commitment and generosity.

Norman Treigle Remembers His Faust Appearance With Jussi On April 1st 1960, Jussi's Final Operatic Performance In The Us., Tom Hines

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

From the biography, Strange Child of Chaos: Norman Treigle, by Brian Morgan, JBS-USA member Greg Fitzmaurice has excerpted for our readers two quotes about the final collaboration between Jussi and the great bass-baritone whose career was tragically cut short by his death at 47 years of age.

Jbs- Usa Salt Lake City Conference: We Attend A Rousing Concert, Sue Flaster

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

One of the joys of all of the JBS conferences and other meetings has been the chance to attend musical events with friends with whom one shares some very particular and very deeply felt convictions. In New York and Washington, we shared trips to the opera; at the other conferences, there were concerts with performers and music of special interest to our members. That tradition was upheld in splendid manner at the recent gathering in Salt Lake City. President Walter Rudolph arranged for our June 13 special evening to be slotted into the Temple Square Performances series, a tradition based …

Jussi In Utah -Leaving His Mark, Walter B. Rudolph

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Immediately after arriving by boat in New York City, Jussi and Anna-Lisa Bjorling flew to Provo, Utah where he gave his first American performance for the 1939-40 season on November 20th, 1939 in the Provo Tabernacle.

President's Notes, Walter B. Rudolph

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

I hope it is not too soon to review the Salt Lake City Conference.

At the Board Meeting held the morning of June 14th, Terry L. Williams from Kansas City (our persuasive auctioneer after the conference dinner) was elected to the Board of Directors. Terry has been our General Counsel for many years, and now joins us for some serious fun. Welcome, Terry!

Full Issue

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Book And Cd Order Form-November 2014 Jussi Bjorling Society-Usa

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Our latest Books and CDs-perfect for gifts for Bjorling-appreciative friends (or yourself).

Jussi Bjorling Society-Usa 2015 Membership Form

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

To join JBS-USA or renew your membership now for 2015, please use this form, or a copy.

Jussi Bjorling: In Concert, Finland & The U.S., Henry Fogel

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

There are many Jussi Bjorling recital discs available, and given the unique beauty of his singing it would be foolish to recommend one (or, in this case, two) as the one to have. I will say, however, that this is a treasure, and is certainly one of the best collections available. Some of the songs and arias appear more than once over the 54 tracks. But it is even interesting to hear the differences in interpretation over the 17-year span of his career represented here.

Anita Cerquetti And Jussi Bjorling In Chicago, Dan Shea

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Famed Italian soprano Anita Cerquetti died on October 11, 2014 with much media discussion of her brilliant ca reer and its puzzling end. Born in April 1931, she made a debut as Aida at age 20 in Spoleto, with reviews praising her "limpid tone and powerful voice:' A yea r later she appeared twice in Il trovatore at Milan's Teatro Nuovo, and in a series of concerts with Beniamino Gigli. In summer 1953 she sang Aida at the Verona Arena, following Callas's appearances there in the same role; her reviews were complimentary, but the major theaters continued to ignore her-she …

Fred Maroth, The Hungarian Mixmaster Champion, Walter Rudolph, Dan Shea

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The loss of Fred Maroth on November 11th, 2013 was hardly noted by the American musical press. But those who have followed important recorded performances by contemporary composers or major artists of the past knew that Fred Maroth was the energized genius behind the Music & Arts label, which stretched back into the LP era for its beginnings.

Remembering Licia Albanese, Allan Buchalter

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Licia Albanese did not merely sing the role of Cio-Cio-San_ in Madama Butterfly-she lived the role through he1 performance. Even every non-musical sound, be it a breath, sigh, laugh/giggle, crying, etc. sounded not as if it was acted or planned, but as if it was happening in re al life, at that moment. Although she was a lyric soprano with a relatively small voice, I remember, that she was able to make her voice soar. The best example that I can think of is when I first saw her Butterfly at the "old " Met (more about that later). …