Immerse yourself in the rich, resonant voice of the legendary Swedish tenor Jussi Björling with this captivating collection of opera arias and Swedish folk songs. Recorded during live concerts for Swedish Radio, this album showcases Björling's extraordinary vocal prowess and emotional depth, offering a unique glimpse into his artistry.
The album spans a diverse range of operatic repertoire, from the passionate intensity of Bizet's "Carmen" to the lyrical beauty of Puccini's "Manon Lescaut." Björling's interpretations are marked by their technical precision and profound musicality, making each performance a masterclass in vocal artistry. The inclusion of Swedish folk songs and settings by composers such as Hugo Alfvén and Wilhelm Peterson-Berger adds a distinctive cultural flavor, highlighting Björling's deep connection to his heritage.
With a running time of just over an hour and nine minutes, this album is a testament to Björling's enduring legacy as one of the greatest tenors of the 20th century. Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this collection is sure to enchant and inspire.
2012 Bluebell2012 Bluebell
Tracks
6 Songs, Op. 36 (text by G. Froding and E. Josephson): No. 4. Sav, sav, susa (Reed, reed, rustle)Jean Sibelius, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Georg Ludwig Jochum
6 Songs, Op. 36 (text by G. Froding and E. Josephson): No. 1. Svarta rosor (Black Roses)Jean Sibelius, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Georg Ludwig Jochum
4 Lieder, Op. 27, TrV 170: No. 4. MorgenRichard Strauss, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Georg Ludwig Jochum
6 Lieder, Op. 17, TrV 149: No. 2. StandchenRichard Strauss, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Georg Ludwig Jochum
Carmen: Carmen, Act II: Flower Song: La fleur que tu m'avais jeteeGeorges Bizet, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Georg Ludwig Jochum
Cavalleria rusticana: Mamma, quel vino e generosoPietro Mascagni, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Georg Ludwig Jochum
Manon Lescaut, Act I: Donna non vidi mai simile a questa!Giacomo Puccini, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Georg Ludwig Jochum
Manon: Manon, Act III: Je suis seul! … Ah! fuyez, douce imageJules Massenet, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Tor Mann
ElegieJules Massenet, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Tor Mann
Les pecheurs de perles (The Pearl Fishers), Act I: Je crois entendre encore, cache sous les palmiersGeorges Bizet, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Tor Mann
L'elisir d'amore (The Elixir of Love), Act II: Una furtiva lagrimaGaetano Donizetti, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Tor Mann
L'arlesiana, Act II: E la solita storiaFrancesco Cilea, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Tor Mann
Lohengrin, Act III: In fernem Land, unnahbar eu'ren Schritten (Sung in Swedish)Richard Wagner, Jussi Björling, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Sten Frykberg
Trollsjon (The Enchanted Lake)August Söderman, Jussi Björling, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Stig Westerberg
Kung Heimer och Aslog (King Heimer and Aslog)August Söderman, Jussi Björling, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Stig Westerberg
4 Visor i folkton (4 Folk Ballads), Op. 5: No. 1. Nar jag for mig sjalv i morka skogen gar (When I Walk Alone in the Dark Forest)Wilhelm Peterson-Berger, Jussi Björling, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Stig Westerberg
4 Visor i folkton (4 Folk Ballads), Op. 5: No. 4. Bland skogens hoga furustammar (Among the High Fir-Trees in the Forest)Wilhelm Peterson-Berger, Jussi Björling, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Stig Westerberg
Ett folk, Op. 22: No. 2. Sverige (Sweden)Wilhelm Stenhammar, Jussi Björling, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Stig Westerberg