Music Commons^™

The Smithsonian Presents... Bertil Bengtsson

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

En route to his talks at the Gustavus JBS Conference, Bertil Bengtsson will speak in Washington DC under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution. This talk is titled Jussi Bjorling: A Swedish Tenor Who Became an American Favorite and will take place at 6:30 PM on June 26 at the auditorium of the Hirschhorn Sculpture and An Gallery, 7th and Independence Avenues, with a reception following.

Anniversary Tributes To Jussi From Around The World, February 5, 2001-Lntemet Comments

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Here are some of the key birthday salutes to Jussi on the Internet., February 5, 2001:

Anniversary Tributes To Jussi From Around The World, February 5, 2001-Radio Programs

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

There were special radio programs around the world, here's a sample that we heard about--and we would be glad to learn about others, from Sweden, South America and especially the UK.

Jussi Bjorling's 1954 Tour Of South Africa, Alfred Gardner

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

With an occasional insight into the role of a tenor's wife on tour!

On the thirteenth of August 1954, at the end of a forty-hour plane journey, Jussi and Anna-Lisa Bjorling arrived at Jan Smuts airport, Johannesburg, to begin what was to be a highly successful tour of the Union of South Africa.

Leonard Warren: American Baritone, Mary Jane Phillips-Matz

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

I tame 10 Mary Jane Phillips-Ma12' life of Leonard Warren not as a stranger, having read her monumental life of Verdi only a year ago. As Opera News said (February 2001), her Verdi is "an account of composer and milieu more thoroughly pondered, researched and understood [emphasis mine] than any other biography." In the course of some nine hundred pages, I got to know Verdi, first, through her remarkable ability to gather and document literally thousands of sources. Not only did she amass this widespread and inchoate material, but she wove it into a seamless narrative which veritably flew by. …

A New Bjorling Silver Medallion By Artist Marika Somogyi

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Consider this scenario: You've gotten to know and respect Andrew Farkas, not only for his work in opera scholarship bur also for his energetic and creative support of the Jussi Bjorling Society. He tells you of his friendship with superbly talented graphic artist, Marika Somogyi, who specializes in medals and whose work bas received wide international recognition. She has created the medallion for the annual Placido Domingo award as well as medals honoring Leonard Bernstein, Irving Berlin, Benny Goodman. And many more. Thanks to her friendship with Andrew, and her own love of opera and Jussi, she'd be willing to …

An Interview By George Jellinek Of Richard Mohr, First Broadcast On Wqxr On February 5, 1987

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

GJ: We are listening to a historical recording of Leoncavallo's Pagliacci with the illustrious cast of Jussi Bjorling. Vittoria de los Angeles, Leonard Warren and Robert Merrill Renato Cellini conducting. The year was 1953 and the place New York City. Yes, in 1953 it was still possible to produce complete recordings of operas in the United States. The producer of this Pagliacci and many more to come was Richard Mohr. After his retirement from RCA, Mr. Mohr became the producer of the Metropolitan Opera intermission features that are beard Saturday afternoons each season. Mr Mohr is my guest today, and …

Jussi In The News: Media Notes Of Interest To Our Members From Our Members, Dan Shea

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

When Carla Ramsey recently sent in some news items for this column, I asked her to consider helping as co-columnist: I'd been much impressed by her writing in the article on "Adelaide" published elsewhere in this issue, and her suggestions for this column were just the sort of thing I try to find for you. I'm glad to tell you that she accepted, so you can expect that future columns will carry both our bylines.

Jussi Bjorling And The Radio, Bo Teddy Ladberg

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

It is self evident that Jussi Bjorling's prospects of reaching a position of great popularity as a radio artist were quite special indeed. A singer whose greatest assets were a voice of incomparable beauty and an innate feeling for a musical phrase must naturally be predisposed to success in precisely this medium. But that his position in this respect became so dominating, indeed unique, is truly something remarkable and beyond further analysis.

But we are getting ahead of ourselves! Let us begin by taking a look at the radio archives and assembling some memories from the old days in radio.

Songs And Arias At Grona Lund, Ake Sundborg

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

My first contact with Jussi Bjorling took place some time in the early 1930, and had nothing whatever to do with any plans for his being engaged for performances at Grona Lund-he was considered to be just a novice at that time, and was thought to have a long way to go before be reached world star status. However, he was an almost daily visitor to Grona Lund, where he let tenor cries be heard as the roller coaster made its downhill plunge, behaved like an angel of destruction in the '"porcelain crusher", tried his chances in the "love thermometer", …

The People's Singer, Erik Jarnklev

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

When Jussi Bjorling's name could be announced for a concert in a folkpark it was a great day, and his name would be advertised in the largest type the printer could find.

Skansen Concerts-And The Last One, Gosta Berg

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Jussi Bjorling sang for the first time at Skansen on the 15th September 1935¹. I retain vivid memories of the deep impression he made even then on me and the large audience.

And he returned. Actually, it became a tradition that he came to us at least once each year. In all, he appeared here fifty-three times, sometimes with the Royal Orchestra, but mostly in solo recital, including three times with his wife Anna-Lisa. The public attendance was usually overwhelming, and there were some who arrived as early as 10 o'clock in the morning in order to secure …

Singing From The Heart: Kissed By The Gods: A Remembrance Of The Tenor Jussi Bjorling, Jurgen Kesting

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Ever more frequently the work of record companies results in damage to the legacy of their artists. A current example is a so-called 'Ultimate Collection" published by RCA/BMG in the "Artist of the Century" series, marking the death forty years ago (on September 9, 1960) of Swedish tenor Jussi Bjorling at the age of 49.

Spotlight On Carla Ramsey

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Carla Ramsey, the author of the "Adelaide" comparison appearing in this issue, was born and raised in San Antonio, where she began studying piano at age six and trombone at eleven. I wish I had taken up cello instead," she says, .. but Texas was band country back in the '50s." Why trombone, instead of clarinet or flute like the other girls? "I can't remember. why I found this instrument so fascinating, but it might have had something to do with the fact that I enjoyed hanging out with and competing with the guys," admits- the self-described "aging tomboy." "Later, …

Yearning For The Unattainable: A Comparison Of Jussi Biorling's Four Recorded Performances Of Beethoven's "Adelaide", Carla Ramsey

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

1f you w.mt a lifetime companion of the feathered variety, all you have to do is show up when a duckling hatches. By a neural process known as "imprinting," the baby bird will bond to and faithfully follow the first object it sees- whether it's mama duck, a human, or even the family dog- upon emerging from its shell. Perhaps you have had a similar experience with a favorite piece of music: you became "imprinted' by the first performance you were exposed to, to such an extent that it subconsciously became the standard by which you judge all others. In …

Jussi Bjorling: The Supreme Singing Of A Shy Man, Stephen Hastings

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

On September 9 1960 the newstands of Stockholm were plastered with the news "Jussi dod i morse• (Jussi dead this morning). It is rare for newspaper to call an opera singer by his Christian name, but then Bjorling's relationship with Sweden was a very special one. 11 had begun forty-five years earlier, when his further David Bjorling-also a tenor-decided to take little Jussi (born on February 5, 1911) on tour with his brothers Costa and Olle. The "Bjorling Male Quartet" could not fail to win audiences over, with the boys dressed in traditional costumes singing music (including compositions by David …

Same Perspectives On The "Editorial We"

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Welcome to the Spring 2001 issue of this journal, our latest experiment in producing a permanent "hard copy" record of what the Jussi Bjorling Societies are doing: Let's take a moment here to look ahead at some of the featured articles in this issue:

An Excursion To Santa Fe, July 3-8

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Several of us are planning to continue the fellowship generated during our conference, by extending out trip to include an excursion co Santa Fe, New Mexico, for two operas and some exploration of the superb state parks and museum, dedicated to the local Indian history and culture. We'll see Verdi's Falstaffon July 4 (Fenton will be sung by Greg Turay, dubbed "the new Bjoerling• last spring by The New York Times) and Lucia di Lammermoor on July 6. The opera house there is perched in a natural bowl in the Tesuque hills, just outside of Santa Fe, and is …

The Next Jbs Conference, June 28-July 1 In Minnesota: ... The People, The Program, The Activities, Registration Arrangements, Bill Clayton, Mickey Dove, Bill Dove, Tom Hines, Dan Shea

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Our JBS held its first conference in Washington DC during June 1999, and it seemed a great success: lots of people meeting each other for the first time, enjoying the sessions together and even picking up some new ideas. Now we will build on our experience with a more ambitious 4·day event at Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter, MN. We hope you'll consider joining the fun and "Jussicology"! For an early look at the campus, chock out this website: www.gustavus.edu (and come prepare, l to admire the ingenious sculptures of Paul Granlund, located all over campus).

Front Matter

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

No abstract provided.

Sonic Apricity, October 14, 2021 [Program], University Of Northern Iowa. School Of Music.

Music Recital Programs

Program of a music recital given by faculty, students, or guest artists from the School of Music at the University of Northern Iowa.

Charles W. Bolen Faculty Recital Series: Faculty Brass Quintet, October 14, 2021, Anna Mcnamara, Katherine Shindledecker, Rachel Hockenberry, Mark Babbit, Andy Rummel

School of Music Programs

Center for the Performing Arts

October 14, 2021

Thursday Evening

8:00 p.m.

Charles W. Bolen Faculty Recital Series: Faculty Brass Quintet, October 14, 2021, Anna Mcnamara, Katherine Shindledecker, Rachel Hockenberry, Mark Babbit, Andy Rummel

School of Music Programs

Center for the Performing Arts

October 14, 2021

Thursday Evening

8:00 p.m.

George Jellinek On Wunderlich, Bjorling And Schubert

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

One of the highlights of the June JBS Conference at Gustavus came with our opportunity to hear a new edition of George Jellinek's radio program "The Vocal Scene" devoted to a comparison of Jussi with the great, lamented German tenor Fritz Wunderlich, who died in 1966, a few days short of his 36th birthday, due to a tragic fall down a staircase. We heard Dr. Jellinck's interesting discussion of these two careers, along with examples of their substantial common repertoire: both singers in the "free as a bird" aria from Millocker's Beggar Student> as well as arias from Boheme, L'elisir …

A Report From The Jussi Bjorling Museum, Harald Henrysson

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

On October 7, Swedish Radio's weekly Sunday opera program was devoted rto an interview with Lars Hemmingsson, the current Chairman of the Scandinavian Jussi Bjorling Society. Lars described the three existing chapters of JBS, in the UK, USA and Sweden, and described the origin of his own interest in Jussi (which had a connection with Jussi's son Rolf, one of whose teachers: was Lars' father). He also told of his memories as a youthful super at the Royal Opera, one of them at an Aida performance with Jussi where he stood close to him and could hear his remarks before …

Word From The Jussi Bjorling Sallskapet (Society)

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

The May 2001 Newsletter of the Scandinavian Society asks what their Society has in common with the currently-popular TV soap opera " Rederiet" and the Royal Opera's Academy. the answer was supplied by professor Folke Abenius of that school: The Academy is presently housed in the Remmerline mansion on Dag Hammerskjold's Street, and in its formar location on Nybrokajen it served as Jussi's main opera-school. On the other hand, the exterior of the present school is portrayed as a main focus for the soap opera's events. Professor Abenius spoke last May 5 to members of the Sallskapet about the current …

A Remarkable Music Database, William C. Clayton

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

If you are like me, you probably have a very large collection of recordings in all different forms catalogued, at best perhaps, on 3x5 cards. During my computer years, I have tried to achieve some order, but the result has been little more than glorified lists by composer.

Gosta Winbergh Remembers A Mistake Of His Youth

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Mike Richter's website is always interesting, we recommend it to your attention: mrichter.com. During November it featured three Swedish tenors in "Che gelida manina '': JB (from his 1939 Holland radio broadcast), Nicolai Gedda and Uno Stjernqvist. In October there was an interesting interview of Gosta Winbergh by Jim Farber of the LA Westside Rave! Just at that time, the LA Opera was starring Winbergh in Lohengrin, and Farber asked him about his youthful fling with pop music, as part of a rock band that played the youth clubs of Stockholm. As Farber recounts the story. Winbergh "offhandedly turned down …

The Recorded Legacy-Reviews Of Recent Releases Of Interest To Jbs Members, Harold Sokolsky

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

Undoubtedly the biggest news about JB recordings in 2001 came from Sweden's Bluebell label, via company manager Hanna Hedman and Bluebell Company board member Harald Henrysson: The 1940 Swedish Radio broadcast of Jussi and Hyordis Schymberg in Romeo et Juliette would be released as a complete opera - util now we've had to be content, with the excerpts from, this delectable performance that we could find on earlier Bluebell releases, or ripoffs of those recordings that appeared on various pirate labels. There has been continuing enthusiastic reaction to release on the internet as more fans discover it, here're some of …

Jussi In The News: Media Notes Of Interest To Our Members, From Our Members, Carla Ramsey, Dan Shea

Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK

When a Jewish mother watches her child graduate from medical school she "kvells" (Yiddish for swelling-and that's just the way we feel when we see glowing references to JB in the media. The past few months have turned up more of these than we can print, but here arc a few highlights - so that you, too, can "kvell" with us: