Jussi Björling: Opera Arias

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Jussi Björling was one of the strongest and steeliest lyric tenors of the 20th century, as famous for his Rodolfo in La Boheme as he was for his Calaf in Turandot. This superbly engineered survey of his early career takes us from 1936 to 1948, and covers, for the most part, his standard repertoire of French and Italian music--extracts from Aida and from Faust, and from both Massenet's Manon and Puccini's Manon Lescaut. He was a singer equally at home with the elegances of bel canto and with the passionate sorrows of verismo--he is particularly fine in "Vesti la guibbia" from Leoncavallo's Pagliacci. Björling was always going to have to struggle to make this repertoire his own--much of his early audience had heard Caruso. What Björling brought to his roles was a superb theatricality and a capacity for thoughtful passion; amid the lyricism, you also always remembered that his heroes were for the most part tough guys. --Roz Kaveney

Tracks:

Che Gelida Manina
Se Quel Guerrier... Celeste Aida
La Donna E Mobile
Recondita Armonia
Cielo E Mar
Ch'ella Mi Creda Libero
Mi batte Il Cor...O Paradiso
E Lucevan Le Stelle
Instant Charmant...En Fermant Les Yeux
La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee
M'appari Tutt'amor
Salut! Demeure Chaste Et Pure
Ah Si, Ben Mio
Di Quella Pira
O Soave Fanciulla
E Il Sol Dell'anima
Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio
Amor Ti Vieta
Nessun Dorma
Recitar!... Vesti La Giubba
Questa O Quella
Mamma, Quel Vino
Di' Tu Se Fedele

Customer Reviews:

Beware.......2004-10-18

I'd give most any Bjorling recording 5 stars, and I do here for the singing. But a big question arises: are these the exact same performances released by EMI on their Bjorling series? I haven't checked every listing, but they sure sound the same.

The Thrilling Young Björling in his First Non-Swedish Arias.......2004-02-25

This disc contains the first arias and duets Jussi Björling recorded in any language other than Swedish. Recorded in Stockholm between 1936 and 1944 (and with a three year gap during the War), the first of them were made when he was only 25. He had already become an international star by that time, having made his official major opera début at the Royal Opera in Stockholm at 19. Of course he had been singing all of his life, having even toured the US with his father and two singing brothers as the Björling Quartet when he was only eight. He had recorded some of these arias in Swedish before, but in addition to singing in the original languages here, the improvement in his technique is notable. For instance, his early Swedish recording of 'Di quella pira' (Il Trovatore) was sung down a whole tone from the original, but in the current version he sings it in the original key and the climactic high C's ring out thrillingly.

I'm writing this review before Amazon has listed the precise contents of the disc. I won't take the space to list them, but will try to mention a number of what I think are the highlights. The arias (and two duets) are either in Italian or French; the only German aria here is 'Ach, so fromm' (Martha) but it is sung in Italian as 'M'appari.' There are a few moments where his diction is a bit faulty, especially in the French arias, but this is never a distraction. More important, he seems to know exactly what emotional moment is being expressed and conveys this with his tone color and phrasing. For instance, in the very first selection, 'Che gelida manina' (La Bohème) he captures the doubts and raptures of young love tenderly and ardently.

He manages the penultimate rising phrase at 'Et j'étais une chose à toi!,' from 'The Flower Song' (Carmen) with an exquisite soft tone (the score is marked pp) that is nonetheless passionate. 'En fermant les yeux' (Manon) is shiveringly beautiful, if marred slightly by some decidedly non-French vowel sounds; it also seems to have been recorded almost a half-tone sharp making his high C almost a C sharp! This is the young Björling making some of the most beautiful tenor sounds ever recorded.

'E lucevan le stelle' (Tosca) expresses the utter sadness of Cavaradossi's coming death without the sobbing and gulping so typical of many Italians tenors of the time. And it is ultimately the more effective for that. The purity and elegance of his singing here is of a standard that has rarely been matched.

There are two duets here, both with Swedish soprano Hjördis Schymberg: 'O soave fanciulla' (La Bohème) and 'E il sol dell'anima' (Rigoletto). In the former one hears an even fresher version of the duet he later sang with Victoria de los Angeles in one of the great complete opera recordings of all time, the 1956 'Bohème' conducted by Beecham. The pair's rapturous harmony at their exit will put a lump in your throat. The elegance of the Rigoletto duet is wonderful, and is helped by the nuanced orchestral accompaniment led by the conductor on all these selections, Nils Grevillius.

There are a number of arias here that Björling never sang on stage: the Carmen 'Flower Song' and the Manon aria. He also never sang the two Giordano rôles from 'Andrea Chenier' and 'Fedora'; their two arias ('Come un bel dì di maggio' and 'Amor ti vieta') were recorded in 1944 after his three-year hiatus, and are notable for their fervor and clean line. Radamès was a rôle he sang only very few times. Yet his 'Celeste Aida'is beautifully sung with dramatic heft.

His performance of 'Nessun dorma' (Turandot) is marked by his refusal to croon it as some tenors do. It is a stentorian rebuttal of the cruel queen's order that no one sleep. Finally, two arias by Verdi must be lauded: 'Questa, o quella' (Rigoletto) and 'Di' tu se fedele' (Ballo in maschera). They are virile, cleanly sung, expressive without being histrionic. The same is true of that most maudlin of all Italian arias, 'Vesti la giubba' (Pagliacci); there is no hysterical sobbing or laughing and yet one feels Canio's heart breaking.

This is the young Björling at the beginning of his career. The voice is fresh, thrilling, flexible, utterly solid from top to bottom, and it is operated by a keen intelligence.

This release is not to be missed by those who do not already own a previous incarnation of these performances. It must be said that the transfer from 78s done by Swedish transfer engineer, Stefan Lindström, is expemplary. Thank you, Naxos, for bringing us this wonderful series.

TT=65:34

Tracks:

L'africana: O Paradiso
Aida: Fuggiam gli ardori inospiti
Aida: Misero appien mi festi
Carmen: La fleur que tu m'avais jet
Il Trovatore: Deserto sulla terra
Il Trovatore: Mal reggendo
Il Trovatore: Ah si, ben mio
Il Trovatore: Di quella pira
Don Giovanni: Il mio tesoro
La Boh: Che gelida manina
TOSCA: E lucevan le stelle
TOSCA: Amaro sol per te
Manon Lescaut: Ah! Manon, mi tradisce
Manon Lescaut: No! no! pazzo son! Guardate
Manon: Instant charmant; En fermant les yeux (Le reve)
Cavelleria Rusticana: Turiddu, ascolta
Cavelleria Rusticana: Intanto, amici (Brindisi)
Cavelleria Rusticana: Mamma, mamma!; Quel vino e generoso (Addio alla madre )
Fedora: Amor ti vieta
Rigolleto: Questa o quella
Rigolleto: il sol dell' anima
Rigolleto: Bella figlia dell' amore
Turandot: Nessun dorma

Customer Reviews:

The most divine album of all time!.......2000-03-31

This is no doubt my absolute favourite collection. Bjoerling was not only the greatest tenor of the Golden Age, but probably one of the greatest in recording history! His timbre is sweetly penetrating, with the power and range of Caruso, but with a beauty completely out of the Caruso realm. His high notes are the most pure and heartwarming, his technique flawless, and his dramatics, although controlled, are very convincing. If you have not heard Bjoerling, this is an excellent first album to buy. He sings some of the most incredible arias in the tenor repertoire, and especially in the piano accompanied ones, brings something new to them as well. Listening to Bjoerling is an experience. Just beware. Once you discover him, you'll never be able to listen to another tenor again!

Average customer rating:

Jussi Björling, Vol. 3-Songs And Arias

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000WNC
Release Date: 1995-02-03

Tracks:

Torna A Surriento
Carmela
Serenata
Mattinata
O Sole Mio
Ideale
Prince Igor: Vladimir's Cavatina
L'Illustre Fregona: Melancolique Tombe Le Soir
Fanal: Manner Over Lag Och Ratt
Rigoletto: Questo O Quella
Rigoletto: La Donna E Mobile
Il Trocatore: Di Quella Pira
Il Trocatore: Di Quella Pira
TOSCA: Recondita Armonia
TOSCA: E Lucevan Le Stelle
La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina
La Franciulla Del West: Ch'Ella Me Creda
La Gioconda: Cielo E Mar
Martha: Ach, So Fromm
L'Africaine: Pays Merveilleux...O Paradis
Romeo et Juliette: Ah! Leve-Toi, Soleil!
Manon: Instant Charmant...En Ferment Les Yeux
Faust: Salut! Demeure Chast Et Pure
Stabat Mater: Cujus Animam
Messa da requiem: Ingemisco

Average customer rating:

Arias and Duets

Manufacturer: Naxos Historical
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000542GX
Release Date: 2001-01-01

Average customer rating:

Recital: Opera Arias and Songs

Manufacturer: Verona
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000005G69
Release Date: 1996-06-20

Average customer rating:

best of bjorling
Bravo Bjorling!
Bjorling's voice shines in this outstanding remastering
One of the greatest of all time!
The most beautiful sound in the world.

Jussi Björling: Opera Arias

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
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Jussi Björling Rediscovered
Artists Of The Century - Jussi Bjorling, The Ultimate Collection
The "Pearl Fishers" Duet
Jussi Björling Collection, Vol. 1
Jussi Bjorling: Opera Arias

ASIN: B000038I7N
Release Date: 2000-02-22

Tracks:

L'Elisit d'Amore: Una furtiva lagrima (1945)
Questo o quella: Questa o quella (1944)
Rigoletto: La donna obile (1936)
Il Trovatore: Ah, si, ben mio (1939)
II Trovatore: Di quella pira (1939)
Aida: Se quel guerrier ... Celeste Aida (1936)
La Gioconda: Cielo e mar (1937)
L'africana: Mi matte il cor ... O paradiso (1937)
Martha: M'appari tutt' amor (1939)
Faust: Salut - demeure chaste e pure (1939)
Romeo et Julliette: Ah! l-toi, soleil! (1945)
Carmen: La fleur que tu m'avais jet(1938)
Manon: Instant charmant ... En fermant les yeux (1938)
Manon: Je suis seul! ... Ah! fuyez, douce image (1945)
Cavalleria Rusticana: O Lola (1948)
Cavalleria Rusticana: Mamma! ... Quel vino (1944)
Pagliacci: Recitar! ... Vesti la giubba (1944)
Fedora: Amor ti vieta (1944)
Manon Lescaut: Donna non vidi mai (1948)
La Boheme: Che gelida manina (1936)
TOSCA: Recondia armonia (1936)
E lucevan le stelle (1937) - Puccini
Turnadot: Nessun dorma (1944)

Amazon.com

Jussi Björling was one of the strongest and steeliest lyric tenors of the 20th century, as famous for his Rodolfo in La Boheme as he was for his Calaf in Turandot. This superbly engineered survey of his early career takes us from 1936 to 1948, and covers, for the most part, his standard repertoire of French and Italian music--extracts from Aida and from Faust, and from both Massenet's Manon and Puccini's Manon Lescaut. He was a singer equally at home with the elegances of bel canto and with the passionate sorrows of verismo--he is particularly fine in "Vesti la guibbia" from Leoncavallo's Pagliacci. Björling was always going to have to struggle to make this repertoire his own--much of his early audience had heard Caruso. What Björling brought to his roles was a superb theatricality and a capacity for thoughtful passion; amid the lyricism, you also always remembered that his heroes were for the most part tough guys. --Roz Kaveney

Customer Reviews:

best of bjorling.......2004-07-20

bjorling was in his prime in the 1940's, when most of these arias were recorded. the top register was still warm and full, and had no sign of the hardening that started to creep into his voice in the 50's. so these are truly the 'best of', sound quality notwithstanding. naxos has done an excellent job remastering these tracks. at this price, this is a must have for fans of good singing.

Bravo Bjorling!.......2002-01-12

As a member of the first generation of opera lover's to know Bjorling's voice only by recordings I urge everyone to treat themselves to this. The power, accuracy and youthful sparkle of his voice are gloriously evident on this remaster. Think of Pavorotti, Corelli and the other Mediterranian masters as sunshine, with warm undertones i think of Jussi's voice as moonlight, cool undertones of the North. Knowing of his struggles with depression and/or alcoholism makes the sound even more poignant. The opera world lost a treasure far too soon.

Bjorling's voice shines in this outstanding remastering.......2001-12-09

Jussi Bjorling was one of the greatest tenors of the last century; many would place him in the top three, along with Caruso and Gigli. This CD contains some of the most familiar arias of the Italian and French repertoire, all sung with a style and controlled passion that was Bjorling's hallmark.

These recordings are from the 1930s and 40s, but the sound is remarkably good for that time. I have an earlier EMI remastering of most of these same recordings, but the sound on Naxos is so far superior that there's really no comparison. The engineer eliminated the worst of the surface noise, but did nothing to restrict the high end, so that the listener can hear this wonderful voice in all its beauty.

There's an excellent 2-CD Bjorling set on RCA/BMG, made from different masters with better sonics, but these earlier recordings captured his voice at a younger age and are indispensible. Naxos's super-bargain price should convince any wavering Bjorling fan who already owns the EMI versions of these recordings.

One of the greatest of all time!.......2001-09-19

Just a short review, since so many others have said it better; Jussi Bjoerling had a sweet lyric-spinto tenor voice, which he used with taste and excitement. If you love Pavarotti and Bocelli, and you haven't heard Bjoerling, you are missing something.

The transfers are excellent. The sound is what you might expect from the thirties and forties, but the voice is clear and undistorted.

Bjoerling's sound was something like Pavarotti's, with a little more concentration of tone and a slightly sweeter sound. His talents with diminuendos can be heard to excellent effect on the Dream (Reve) aria from Massenet's Manon. Bjoerling had a ravishing pianissimo; sweet, smooth, and concentrated, yet unforced.

One of Jussi Bjoerling's finest roles was Rodolfo in Puccini's La Boheme and Pinkerton in Madam Butterfly. The former was sung under the able leadership of Sir Thomas Beecham, with Victoria de los Angeles and is justly acclaimed as a classic. The latter was one of his latest recordings, made close to his death, but the sounds he made! The singing on this album is absolutely stunning.

Highly recommended for all those who love great voices...

The most beautiful sound in the world........2001-02-01

Bjorling began recording arias from the Italian and French repertory, in their original language, in 1936. At the age of 25 he had just launched his international career. These records immediately became best sellers, they have been reissued countless times since, and now they feature on this budget-priced CD from Naxos, in restorations engineered by Mark Obert-Thorn - no less.

All recordings were made between 1936 and 1948 in the same venue in Stockholm. The conductor was always Nils Grevillius, a compatriot who judged Bjorling's voice to be "the most beautiful sound in the world". I too had a similar thought when I heard Bjorling sing in London.

Tracks:

Aida: Act I: Celeste Aida
Manon Lescaut: Act I: Donna non vidi mai
Rigoletto: Act III: La donna e mobile
Act II: Ella mi fu rapita; Parmi veder le lagrime
Cavalleria Rusticana: Siciliana: O Lola
Faust: Act I: Salut, demeure chaste et pure
Pagliacce: Act I: Vesti la giubba
La Boheme: Act I: Che gelida manina
Prince Igor: Act II: Vladimir's Recitative and Cavatina
Andrea Chenier: Act IV: Come un bel di di maggio
Martha: Act III: M'appari tutt' amor
L'Elisir d' Amore: Act II: Una furtiva lagrima
Eugene Onegin: Act II: Forbi, forbi (Lensky's Aria)
Turandot: Act. I: Non piangere, Liu
Act. III: Nessun dorma
Tosco Act. I: Recondita armonia
Act. III: E lucevan le stelle
Act. III: O dolci mani

Customer Reviews:

One of my favourite tenors.......2004-10-28

Bjoerling will be remembered as one of the greatest tenors ever and while I prefer his early live stuff (E.G. the live Gioconda and Ballo) I find this compilation to be magnificent. Especially Lensky's aria and Chenier's aria, so beautiful.

Great Music.......2000-11-04

Another one of the older RCA releases, but still in print because of the great collection of tracks. Try it.

Music Review: