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Jussi Bjorling Saga: Told By Those Who Knew Him

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Johannes Norrby

"Jussi in our hearts" - it is a good heading. It is in the heart one has him still and it was one's heart he captured and which he still captures. His voice is with us still, through the wonders of technology.

Karl Schmitt-Walter, Karl Schmitt-Walter

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The baritone Karl Schmitt-Walter relates the following story in " Das Musikalische Selbstportrat" (pages 147-148):

Recollections: Jussi Bjorling's London Recitals, Lois Mewett

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Gail Campain: It would probably be safe to say that a large percentage of Jussi Bjorling 's present-day admirers never heard him in performance and consequently know him only from his recordings. Falling into that category my self, I am always keen to find out from those who were lucky enough to be able to attend a Bjorling recital or op era performance what the experience meant to them . Some years ago, I had the plea sure of corresponding with Mrs. Lois Mewett, an Englishwoman who now lives in Brisbane, Australia , and, at my request, she provided me …

Jb And 26 Years Of "E Lucevan Le Stelle", William C. Clayton

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Pick your tenor; any number can play. Is it Tagliavini, Wunderlich, del Monaco, Domingo? How about your favorite tenor doing a signature aria? Caruso/Vesti la giubba; Pavorotti/ the 9 high Cs from Daughter of the Regiment; DiSefano/ The Tomb Aria from Lucia; Schipa/Una furtiva lagrima. Next, you might choose your favorite aria and suggest ten superlative tenor versions. Oh, the parlor games we opera buffs can play. And for what it is worth, here is mine- one sterling tenor and one representative aria -BUT-over 26 years. Specifically, Jussi Bjorling from 1933 until 1959 singing "E lucevan le stelle" …

In The Spotlight: David Rossell, David Rossell

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

When the British magazine "International Opera Collector" published a highly controversial article about Jussi Bjorling by Tully Potter in its Summer 1997 issue, many outraged Bjorling admirers were quick to put pen to paper in defense of the tenor's reputation. Only a few of these letter writers had the satisfaction of seeing their letters published in the magazine. David Rossell, from New South Wales, Australia, was one of the lucky few, though his satisfaction was tempered by surprise at finding that what appeared in the magazine was not the letter he had sent to the Editor, but, rather, a highly …

Counting Down To June 4th: News Of Our Washington Conference, Dan Shea

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

A remarkable event is about to happen: A conference in honor of the life and art of a great singer, complete with expert analysis and affectionate discussion by his family, his countrymen, opera mavens, and (we hope) YOU.

Important Jbs-Usa Conference Information!

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Jenny Lind Concert: If you plan to attend the Jenny Lind Concert and have ordered your tickets on your conference registration form, please be aware that instead of issuing actual tickets, the Corcoran Gallery of Art will have your name on a master list indicating that you have prepaid. On the evening of the concert, a Corcoran Gallery employee ·will check your name against the list, and you will be admitted. You will NOT receive actual tickets in the mail nor will they be available for you at the Plaza.

Welcome! From The Editor's Desk, Mickey Dove

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

JBS-USA is pleased to introduce the n west member of its Advisory Board, Barbro Ehnbom of New York City. Ms. Ehnbom heads her own investment advisory company, DuHaan Groupe, Inc., as a consultant for large Swedish corporations having major US markets. She also has taught business law and ethics at the Stockholm School of Economics, and she is an active board member of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce.

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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 Clipping

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

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Here And There

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Med Bagaget I Strupen, JB's 1945 Autobiography, Available in English for the First Time

Other Books Available

Videotapes of June 1999 JBS Conference To Be Available.

Receiving Classical Radio Programming Using the Internet

Test Your Knowledge, Tom Hines

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Trivia questions for Jussiphiles

Three Decades Of Work And Pleasure, Nils Grevillius

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

"Jussi appeared respectful towards Nils Grevillius, but of course it was the latter who helped him at the beginning of his career many years ago.

'He once taught me the difference between demisemiquavers and quavers,' said Jussi, 'and I have respected them since then."'

Jussi From A Conductor's Perspective, Herbert Sandberg

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

To write as a conductor about Jussi Bjorling is to speak of the best that a music director can experience from the other side of the footlights - one of the noblest instruments to have dominated those down in the pit, used, not by a willful soloist indulging his whims and unmusical fancies, but by an artist who was himself music through and through; a man who had not 'learnt" his profession but for whom music was the language through which he expressed himself; a man who subordinated himself to the intentions of the composer and who therefore participated in …

The Pupil Who Was A Master, Ragnar Hylten-Cavallius

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

It sounds like a fairy-tale and it was one - a fairy-tale about an innocent little dalmas [an inhabitant of Dalama] who, hand in hand with his two small brothers, traveled around Sweden and sang his way into the public's heart, arousing admiration and astonishment with his beautiful treble voice and his fine musicality.

A Visit To The Bjorling Museum, Enrique P. Gilardoni Lester

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Before approaching the subject, I would like to say that it was more than forty years ago that I heard a voice which captivated me. Ever since then I have had an unconditional admiration for the art of the great tenor Jussi Bjorling.

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.

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Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

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