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Welcome To St. Peter! Jbs Celebrates The Bjorling Centenary, Ward Murray

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Many of us arrived in St. Peter on June 22nd to dark grey skies, blustery wind, and only 65 degrees Fahrenheit: we went scurrying to the Gustavus Adolphus College store to buy hoodies and windbreakers. This was in stark contrast to the balmy temperatures and blue skies a decade earlier. The grey clouds extended to the news that our president and driving force behind the centenary conference, Sue Flaster, would be unable to attend because of a painful back injury.

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Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

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Upcoming Jussi Bjorling Memorial And Centennial Events

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Upcoming Jussi Bjorling Memorial and Centennial events

2010

October 21 (15:00}. Stockholm, Operan, Guldfoajen (Opera House, Golden Foyer). Release of Jacob Forsell's book, "Jussi: Sangen, Manniskan, Bilderna (The music, the man, the pictures)" and presentation of the new "Jussi Bjorling Live" CD set. By invitation

2011

January 13 (19 :00). Vienna, GroBer Festsaal der lndustriellen Vereinigung. Jussi Bjorling memorial gala including tenors Piotr Beczala and Lars Bjorling. Presentation: Rudolf Wallner. Reception for invited guests at the Swedish ambassador's residence after the gala. An exhibition at the Vienna Opera is also planned.

Stora Tuna Church Memorial Concert, Harald Henrysson

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

On the evening of September 9th, Stephen Hastings and I and two friends went to Stora Tuna Church for a well-attended memorial concert. The Conservatory Chorus from Falun and Borganaskoren from Borlange had joined forces. The soloist was soprano Carolina Bengtsdotter-Ljung, a singer from Dalarna who once received the Jussi Bjorling Award and who has been active for several years in Germany. As a surprise -not included on the printed program- Raymond Bjorling appeared with "Tonerna" (on the 10th, he also gave a memorial concert at another Dalarna church). The concert was a fine and worthy tribute to Jussi's memory. …

London Celebrates Cds, Boheme, Dr. Richard Copeman

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The UK JB Appreciation Society com memorated the 50th anniversary of Bjorling's last Covent Garden performances of La boheme in March of 1960 with an afternoon event at Swedenborg Hall on Saturday, September 11th. Sadly John Steane, who was scheduled to speak, was ill and could not appear. In his place I presented the "Producer's Showcase" La boheme scene with Tebaldi as well as one of the "Voice of Fires tone" videos. I was able to use the audio system of the venerable Recorded Vocal Art Society, and members of that society were also present (I am treasurer of RVAS …

We Gather Together: September 9-10 Meetings In New York City, Dan Shea

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

For members of the Jussi Bjorling Society, the anniversary date of September 9 this year was more than usually fraught with memories of that 1960 day, whether that had been experienced personally or was simply a historical fact associated with a favorite singer's life story. To mark the occasion, there had been anniversary radio programs the previous weekend from Vermont and California, see for instance the interesting list of selections played during Peter Fox Smith's 4-hour tribute on the afternoon of September 4, at http:// www.vpr.net/episode/49386/. Mr. Smith conducts an anniversary program like this every year on the Saturday preceding …

"Jussiday" At Skansen: Our Three Tenors, And More, Stefan Olmars

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Some time ago, Sten Petri, who manages cultural events at Skansen, joined the Scandinavian Sallskapet. That inspired me to put together a commemorative concert at the Skansen open-air stage, where Jussi gave 52 concerts.

Centennial Conference Plans: Back To Minnesota!, Sue Flaster

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Although there is an huge slate of exciting events planned for 2011 in Sweden (see the updated list in this newsletter), many of our members here may not wish to travel that far (or that expensively!). With that in mind, the Jussi Bjorling Society-USA will host a commemorative conference in St. Peter, MN, at Gustavus Adolphus College, June 22-26 of 2011. This will probably be the principal US celebration of Jussi's centennial, and we are feeling very enthusiastic about this opportunity to meet again in Jussi Bjorling Recital Hall.

Chicago Memories, Paul Schroeder

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

A favorite story of JB at Chicago Lyric Opera comes from some "old timer" friends of my father: in II trovatore the conductor was not taking "di quella pira" fast enough for Jussi. He let go of the soprano's hand and started tapping his foot at the tempo he wanted. When the aria had finished, he pointed his sword at the conductor, lunged in his direction, and then ran off the stage. I wish I could have seen that!

Jussi Bjorling Live Broadcast Concerts 1937-1960 (West Hill Radio Archives), Kristian Krogholm

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Finally it arrived in my mailbox: the Jussi Bjorling four-CD set, a masterpiece from the Jussi Bjorling Society issued by West Hill Radio Archives. A superb compilation with splendid layout, texts, photos and great sound covering roughly half of Bjorling's known radio appearances in America between 1937 and 1956 . An impressive feat by any standards considering how frequently he sang on American radio. As a bonus on this four CD set, we get excerpts from some of his concerts in Sweden to complete the picture of a divinely gifted and beloved artist. We are offered a wide range of …

The Celebrations Begin: Summer Centennial And Memorial Events In Sweden, Sue Flaster

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The Voxna events this year were on July 12th and 13th and were the "official opening" of the Jussi year. Stefan Olmars had arranged for us to hear the great mezzo Ingrid Tobiasson as well as Olle Perssona baritone known mostly for intelligent lieder singing- and tenor Nils Olsson, this year's JB Sallskapet prize winner. The young man is a big guy with a big voice, and quite a crowd pleaser, although one hopes that a greater sense of nuance will come with age and experience.

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Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

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Reunion In Minnesota: Centennial Conference Plans, Jbs Board

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Many of us have warm memories of the JB Society conference held in St. Peter, MN in 2001. Since then, we've been together in NY, Sweden and Charleston, but the meeting at Gustavus Adolphus College had many special qualities: we were all together conveniently for meals, the event themselves were concentrated at the College and we were treated to the warm hospitality of Jan and Anders Bjorling .

You're Invited! Join A Celebration Of Jussi's Career In New York City, September 9, 10

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The enterprising Vocal Record Collectors' Society has scheduled a meeting on Friday evening, September 10, to celebrate the release by WHRA (West Hill Radio Archives) of its 4-CD collaborative project with the Jussi Bjorling Societies of Scandinavia, the UK, and the USA. The VRCS Board of Directors hereby invites all members of the Jussi Bjorling Societies to attend this special program.

"Jussi Bjorling Live: Broadcast Concerts 1937 - 1960", Dan Shea

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Jussi Bjorling introduced himself to America not by his first performances at the Metropolitan Opera starting in 1938, but rather in a remarkable series of three nationwide radio broadcasts made during 1937, on November 28 and December 5 and 19. As you can hear from a few surviving recordings made of those broadcasts, the 26-year-old tenor's brilliant voice and innate musicality projected beautifully through the microphone and the resulting attention enabled him to get a quick start on what became a major career in this country.

Major News From The Swedish Centennial Committee & Upcoming Events

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

In a powerful impulse of national pride, H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf has become the official patron of the Jussi Bjorling centennial celebrations. The centennial committee has also gathered in a significant financial contribution from Swedish real estate magnate Stefan Sundh, (coincidentally, Bengt Krantz's cousin), and a sizeable award from Barbro Osher's Pro Suecia Foundation. There were also two smaller private donations. Among the many activities below which are made possible by these donations, the Scandinavian Sallskapet has also made a very large and helpful donation to the JBS-USA CD project (as has the British Society).

Our Honorary Advisors: An Encounter With Neil Shicoff, Mati Zeti-Elboim

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Toward the Jewish Passover Holidays, the Israeli Opera House presented "La Juive" by Halevy. T h is was an obvious choice, since the second act of the opera is dedicated to the "Seder"-the ritual Passover meal which commemorates the flight of the Jews from Egypt (by reading its story and eating "matzot': the unfinished bread taken on the exodus).

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Memorials At Voxna: We Look Back (And Ahead), Sue Flaster

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

For the last eight years, Stefan Olmars has produced events with terrific organization and splendid music and lectures, and this year's mid-July gathering in Halsingland upheld his very high standards while reaching for a wider focus.

Immortal Performances Ipcd 1003-2: Bjorling's Radiant Romeo At Last In Good Sound, Kristian Krogholm

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The February 1,1947 Romeo et Juliette performance from the Metropolitan Opera has at last surfaced in fresh and good sound and has been released in a fine package from Immortal Performances, with nice texts, information and photos. The improvement from Myto's version is substantial, and the sound is warm and pleasant, and the voices both full and clear.

Naxos, Jussi Bjorling Collection #8: "O Sole Mio", Kristian Krogholm

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

A new great CD from Naxos in the JB Collection with careful restorations and transfers by Stefan Lindstrom, whose reproductions include some surface noise but consequently leave more of Jussi Bjorling's voice. Seldom have the old 78s been transferred to CD with such clarity and total balance, always maintaining Jussi Bjorling's voice in absolute focus. Mr. Lindstrom is always faithful to the actual sound of the source, never trying to create anything other than what is on the original recording, thus obtaining a more truthful result.

Movies With Jb Sound Recordings, Harald Henrysson

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Movies with JB sound recordings

• 40 Days and 40 Nights (4fijours et 40 nuits) Michael Lehmann, USA 2Q02: Recondita armonia
• Aria, Ken Russell (in segment with JB), USA 1987: Nessun dorma {240)
• and more

Jan-Olof Damberg: The New Curator Steps Up

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Jan-Olof has been a considerable presence in our lives and in the life of the JB Museum for the last six years. Every Summer he has joined Harald in greeting visitors, responding to email, making presentations and managing the many administrative chores of a small museum. During the more financially flush years of the past, Jan-Olaf was often joined in the Summer by the extremely tall Roger Alderstrand ( discoverer of an enormous number of performances by the young Bjorling boys in the Swedish hinterlands), but at the end, it is Jan-Olof who is putting his DNA into the Museum. …

2011 Update And Membership Renewal, Sue Flaster

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

A s of this writing, activities and events for the centennial year of 2011 are collecting in a satisfying way, even if some things do remain uncertain: the Royal Swedish Opera is planning a memorial concert to take place in Stockholm on 2 September 2011; the critical assessment by Stephen Hastings, which we are all looking forward to, should be out in the late Fall of 2010, and a major photographic book should appear at the same time; at least one film appears to be on the way in Sweden; the City of Borlange is planning a memorial concert for …

Harald Henrysson Retires

Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The Jussi Bjorling Museum was established nearly 15 years ago. It was built on the foundation of a small(er) local collection, the gifts and depositions of the Bjorling family and the Royal Swedish Opera , as well as contributions of many sorts from Bjorling admirers all over the world.

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Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

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