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The Journal Of Jbs Welcomes New Staff Member

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The Journal is pleased to welcome Enrique Pedro Gilardoni to the staff of the Journal. Mr. Gilardoni will be reporting on South American activities of interest to Jussiphiles.

Naxos Historical Reissue, Mark Obert-Thorn

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The Journal is indebted to Mr. Obert-Thorn and to "BH Haggis" for the following information. BH Haggis - a pseudonym based on the name of the famous critic and writer on Toscanini, B. H. Haggin- is the nom de web of a frequent contributor to the Internet record collector's newsgroup (rec.music.classical.recordings) and author of a website devoted to Mark Obert-thorn's work and to modern transfer techniques. You can visit the website at www.2xtreme.net/regina-r/obert-thorn/index.html.

Jussi Number 1 In Classic Cd Poll, W. Robert Chapman

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Polls, while sometimes silly and at other times incomprehensible in terms of the results, are nonetheless often fun. In July the British magazine Classic CD conducted a poll to name the 100 greatest singers of the century. Jussi was named number one due to his "ringing high notes, consistency from the top to the bottom of his voice, his purity and restraint, his velvety smooth voice and refined art, and his impeccable musicianship." In the poll results, Simon Trezise responded to the question ''Who is the number 1 singer of the century and why?" as follows:

And Welcome To New Members Of The Board Of Directors Of Jbs

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

JBS is pleased to welcome to the Board of Directors William C. Clayton and William G. Dove, Jr., who has also assumed the responsibilities of treasurer. Bill Gayton, features editor of the Journal of JBS and frequent contributor to these pages, was introduced to you in the 1Q99 issue of the Journal. Bill Dove retired in January from ABB Combustion Engineering where he held the position of senior consulting engineer. JBS is grateful for the business experience and creative talent that both of these men bring to the Board of Directors and for their willingness to serve.

A Special Note Of Thanks To Andrew Binns

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Several months ago, Andy Binns, treasurer of JBS and member of the Board of Directors, requested that we find someone to succeed him. Andy is about to become a father, and work pressures have multiplied, so he reluctantly made the decision to step down from the Board.

Jussi Bjorling: The Emi Studio Recording Years (1930-1959), William C. Clayton

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The compact disk is rendering me obsolete! Or rather it is rendering my JB collection obsolete. For twenty years my collection was the talk of the town (or at least of the neighborhood). I had bought, begged, and (nearly) stolen those tapes, studio LPs (I have the original ten-inch LP of the JB/Merrill duets), pirated LPs (ANNA, UORC, EJS. etc.), and nothing made me happier than knowing that I had them and THEY didn't. But now all that is ending. Little by little, I am becoming non sui generis. Thanks to Bluebell, Preiser, Nimbus, et al, it seems that just …

In The Spotlight: Arthur H. Patrick Darrow, Arthur H. Patrick Darrow

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

It is with great pleasure that we bring you member Patrick Darrow's "Jussi" story. Imagine if you would what it might be like to have your own private voice lesson with Jussi. Mr. Darrow describes precisely that.

Conference Questionnaire

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

We have received only a few responses to our questionnaire soliciting conference attendees' opinions and feedback. Therefore we've decided to wait before publishing a summary of results to provide additional time for responses. Please send your questionnaire, comments, and/ or ideas (either via Email or regular post) to:

Our Young Organization Audaciously Attempts Big Conference And All Goes (Very) Well, Dan Shea

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

From the first- a mere 18 months ago- as a few of us considered how and why to form this Society, we knew that we had to make face-to-face connections possible for members. Yes, telephone calls and Email, a web page, and this Journal are all essential. But ultimately we knew we had to offer the opportunity for personal discussion and social Jussicology!

Article On Conference Appears In Swedish Newspaper: Bjorling Still Big In Usa The, Karin Henriksson

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The following article by Karin Henriksson appeared in-the June 22nd edition of Svenska Dagbladet. (Translated from Swedish by Anders Bjorling.)

A year after the founding of the Jussi Bjorling Society - USA, opera lovers from all over the world gathered for discussions around the subject: Jussi Bjorling: His life, his music, his legacy. 'This will contribute to a lasting and solid cooperation between Sweden and USA", said Harald Henrysson, director of the Jussi Bjorling Museum in Borlange. He spoke about the world renowned tenor's contacts with rural Sweden, a contrast to other speakers' accounts of the tenor's travels to London …

Jussi Bjorling Society - Usa Holds First Conference, Kendall F. Svengalis

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The following is from an article by Kendall F. Svengalis published during July in the Swedish-American newspaper Nordstjernan-Svea. We regret that space does not allow us to reprint the entire article. Mr. Svengalis is State Law Librarian in Rhode Island and a member of the Verdandi Male Chorus. He has been a JB fan for nearly 40 years.

From The Editor's Desk, Mickey Dove

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Once again I wish to extend a warm welcome to each of you.

The first half of 1999 has been an exciting time for JBS, with steadily increasing growth and a most successful first conference (see the reports in this issue). As we move into the latter half of 1999, the Board of Directors and the Advisory Committee will be initiating a number of key activities: conference planning for 2000, the initiation of planning for JBS educational programs and scholarships, budgeting, etc. Look for a progress update in the 4Q99 issue.

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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Newspaper Clippings

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Newspaper Clippings

Here And There: 1998 Jbs Collector's Patch Available

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Here And There: Jbs' 501(C)(3) Application Approved

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

We're pleased to tell you that the Internal Revenue Service has approved our application for 501(c)(3) status; that is, we are now considered a charitable institution, and contributors' gifts to JBS are tax deductible under the following guidelines:

Test Your Knowledge, Tom Hines

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Once again Tom Hines attempts to stump you with a variety of questions.

Great Singer Your Spirit Lives On, Set Svanholm

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Although there were warnings of the illness which took Jussi Bjorling's life, his death still came as a shock and as a hard blow for all his friends. The Royal Opera is mourning its most brilliant singer down the ages. Jussi Bjorling was a good colleague, and he was loyal to the institution in which his glorious singing career began. Although he had not belonged to the Opera's permanent ensemble for many years but had only given guest performances, we all regarded him as one of our own, and he saw himself as one of us and was proud of …

Tones From A Mutual Instrument, Hjordis Schymberg

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Jussi's sudden, irrevocable departure has left me feeling almost paralyzed, wrenched from a world full of shining reality. One somehow cannot believe, or does not want to believe, that it is all true. In the world of singing he had become something of an institution, fixed and abiding.

He Died At The Most Golden Moment Of His Success, Gertrud Palson-Wettergren

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

I don't really have any clear memories of Jussi's debut. The first time I took more careful notice of Forsell 's new tenor discovery was probably in 1931, when he sang Almaviva in ll Barbiere di Siviglia. I remember that he sang quite wonderfully, with a dazzling facility in the coloratura and with a voice of captivating timbre.

Jussi In The News, Dan Shea

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

A good idea that was mentioned frequently during last June's Washington conference on the vocal legacy of Jussi Bjorling was: "Let's keep track of all the interesting articles that mention Jussi and publish them in our Journal for all our members." This we hope to do, but our work will be better- and more fun- if YOU help us. Please let us know about "Jussi items" you come across. We'll keep track of your information and summarize it for our readers.

"Sa Tag Mit Hjerte", Hugo Alfven

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Hugo Alfven's song "SA tag mit hjerte" ("Now take my heart") was composed as a present to his wife on her name-day in 1946. (Although the song was originally entitled "Saa tag mit Hjerte," it is now usually referred to by the modernized spelling used above). In the previous issue of the Journal, Enrique Gilardoni mentioned in his article about the Jussi Bjorling Museum in Borlange that the score of this song, inscribed with a dedication to Jussi Bjorling, is on display in the museum, along with a letter from the composer to Jussi. The dedication on the score reads:

A Report From Chili, Enrique Gilardoni Lester

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Invited by the Circulo Lirico de Vina del Mar, I lectured on May 8th on the subject "The Life and Artistry of Jussi Bjorling." This program was one of four conferences during 1999 held at the Auditorium of the Secretary of Culture in Vina del Mar.

Jussi And "No! Pagliaccio Non Son", William C. Clayton

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

There are so many splendid tenor arias- "La donna e mobile," "Celeste Aida," "Vesti la giubba." Can an opera lover really have one favorite aria, much less a favorite aria by a particular singer? Maybe, maybe not, but certainly most JB devotees· have one or more arias which they view as singular or striking or equal to (if not superior) to others' performances.

Good Singing Is Natural

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

"Each year new groups of young people find that they have voices and set about discovering the best and surest means of developing them. Thus, while the subject of vocal technique is constantly a new one, it is also as old as the race of man. People sang long before they built instruments to play upon, and the fundamental principles of vocal emission must have been the same, ever since our first ancestors experienced the pleasure of expressing their emotions through song. Whether one sings an operatic aria or a simple country call, these fundamental principles are the same, because …

June Conference Questionnaire Results, William C. Clayton

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Attendees at the June conference were asked to respond to a questionnaire evaluating various aspects of the conference in the hope of making future events even more enjoyable. We thought that you might want to know members' reactions to various facets of the event. The rankings were based on a scale of excellent, very good, good, poor, very poor.

A Supplement To Jussi About The December 17, 1953 Faust, Karl Hekler

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

(The following report is an excellent supplement to the account of Jussi's vocal problems of December 1953 on page 246 of Jussi. The previous chapter, "Faust in Tails," dealt with Jussi's successful 1953 Metropolitan opening night in Faust - and his thoughts about the infamous new production directed by Peter Brook. After three successful performances with an all-star cast, Jussi had to drop out of the fourth performance on December 17th after the first act. JBS member Karl Hekler was there, and he offers this stirring account.)

A Note From Bertil Bengtsson, Bertil Bengtsson

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

As many of you know, Berti Bengtsson is one of our youngest genuine c::, experts on Jussi Bjorling's life and art- a true Jussicologist. In past . , summers he has assisted Harald Henrysson at the Borlange Museet, and many of us have met him there. Recently he wrote to us from Mora, a small town about 100 miles northwest of Borlange, to tell us about his current work at the Anders Zorn Museet.

Order Your Videotapes Of The June 1999 Jbs Conference

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

For JBS members who missed our June event and for members who attended and want a souvenir of our sessions, we are happy to announce that a set of 2 extended play tapes is now available. The tapes contain 10 hours of the conference with essentially complete presentations by speakers Don Goldberg, Harald Henrysson, Mary Jane Phillips-Matz, Eric Wimbles, Andrew Farkas and Anders Bjorling. Lightly-edited Q/A sessions after the talks are also included as is footage of two panel discussions chaired by Walter Rudolph and featuring Cornell MacNeil along with Farkas, Phillips-Matz, Henrysson and Goldberg in wide-ranging discussions on Jussi's …