Celebrated for his exceptional vocal beauty and artistry, Jussi Björling (February 5, 1911–September 9, 1960) was one of the leading opera singers of the 20th century. Conductor and musicologist Will Crutchfield, who curates this program’s playlist, joins WFMT to pay tribute to the iconic Swedish tenor. In November, the Jussi Björling Society presents Will Crutchfield and Henry Fogel as guest speakers for the webinar The Tenor Voice and the 20th Century. Learn more HERE.
On Jussi Björling with Will Crutchfield
Jussi Björling (Photo: Courtesy of Jussi Björling Society - USA)_
Playlist
All selections feature tenor Jussi Björling.
Giacomo Puccini: “Nessun dorma” from Turandot
Studio orchestra/Nils Grevilius
Stockholm, 1944
Charles Gounod: “Salut! demeure chaste et pure” from Faust
Hilversium Radio Orchestra/Frieder Weissmann
Sung in Swedish, 1939
Gounod: “Ah, ne fuis pas encore” from Roméo et Juliette
Hjördis Schymberg, soprano
Orchestra of the Royal Opera, Stockholm/Nils Grevilius
Recorded live in 1940
Emil Sjögren: I drömmen du ar mig nara (In My Dreams You Are Near Me)
Studio orchestra/Nils Grevilius
Recorded in 1929
Ruggiero Leoncavallo: “Vesti la giubba”
Studio orchestra/Nils Grevilius
Recorded in 1933
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Song of the Indian Guest from Sadko
Studio orchestra/Nils Grevilius
Sung in Swedish, 1936
Franz Schubert: Die Forelle
Frederick Schauwecker, piano
Recorded in 1952
Jacques Offenbach: “Au mont Ida” from La belle Hélène
Studio orchestra/Nils Grevilius
Recorded in 1938
Giuseppe Verdi: “Di’ tu se fedele” from Un ballo in maschera (fragment)
Orchestra of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino/Alberto Erede
Recorded in 1957
Jean Sibelius: Svarta Rosor
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra/Nils Grevilius
Recorded in 1960
Hugo Alfvén: Så tag mit hjerte (So take my heart in your hands)
Royal Orchestra, Stockholm/Nils Grevillius
Recorded in 1959
