Jussi Björling Society-USA to Present ‘Björling and Bergonzi: A Comparative Study’

https://operawire.com/jussi-bjorling-society-usa-to-present-bjorling-and-bergonzi-a-comparative-study/

The Jussi Björling Society-USA (JBS-USA) will present “Björling and Bergonzi: A Comparative Study.” The event will take place over Zoom on Oct. 22, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Stephen Hastings, author of “The Björling Sound,” will host the event and will be joined by Stefan Johansson, a long-time chief dramaturg of the Swedish Royal Opera, and JBS-USA Board Member Sue {…}

DVD and CD Releases, News

High Definition Tape Transfers Releases Jussi Björling’s ‘Golden Trovatore’

https://operawire.com/high-definition-tape-transfers-releases-jussi-bjorlings-golden-trovatore/

The 1952 RCA recording of Verdi’s “Il trovatore” starring Jussi Björling can now be heard at a higher quality than ever before thanks to High Definition Tape Transfers and Harmony Restorations’ newest release. This celebrated recording features Björling along with Zinka Milanov, Fedora Barbieri, Leonard Warren, Nicola Moscon, Margaret Roggero, and Paul Franke. Renato Cellini is heard leading the RCA {…}

Opera Wiki

Artist Profile: Tenor Jussi Björling, The ‘Swedish Caruso’

https://operawire.com/artist-profile-tenor-jussi-bjorling-the-swedish-caruso/

Jussi Björling was one of the greatest tenors of the 20th century. Born on Feb. 5, 1911 in Sweden, first started learning to sing from his father, who also taught his two brothers. The family often engaged in performances as the Björling Male Quartet and the tenor made his debut public appearance at age five. The group would perform actively {…}

On This Day, Special Features

On This Day: An Extensive Look at Jussi Björling’s Career At the Metropolitan Opera

https://operawire.com/on-this-day-an-extensive-look-at-jussi-bjorlings-career-at-the-metropolitan-opera/

On Feb. 5, 1911, the world was given the great gift that was Jussi Björling. The Swedish tenor became an icon throughout his career, his perfect vocal control a defining feature of his extensive career. Björling is in many ways synonymous with the Metropolitan Opera, becoming one of the company’s principal artists throughout the 1940’s and 50’s singing a wide {…}

News

Obituary: Legendary Soprano Lucine Amara Dies at 99

https://operawire.com/obituary-legendary-soprano-lucine-amara-dies-at-99/

Legendary soprano Lucine Amara has died at the age of 99. The American soprano was born on March 1, 1925 in Hartford, Connecticut but was raised in San Francisco. She went on to study at the San Francisco Community Music Center and sang in the chorus of the San Francisco Opera from 1945 to 1946. She made her concert debut at the {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Berwaldhallen Review 2024: Khovanshchina

https://operawire.com/berwaldhallen-review-2024-khovanshchina/

(Photo Credits: Maarit Kytöharju) Opening Berwaldhallen’s 2024 Baltic Sea Festival, on August 24th, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Gerard McBurney produced a tastefully contemporary and neo-Wagnerian rendition of Modest Mussorgsky’s unfinished “national music drama,” “Khovanshchina,” to a ravenous public. Awarded, and rightly so, with three ovations, ten soloists from across Europe and three choirs successfully produced one of the most expressive versions {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Angel Blue on Verona Incident, BBC Proms & Living in the Present

https://operawire.com/q-a-angel-blue-on-verona-incident-bbc-proms-living-in-the-present/

(Credit: Dario Acosta) American soprano Angel Blue is widely considered to be one of the most influential sopranos before the public today. The two-time Grammy Award winner, 2020 Beverly Sills Award recipient, and the 2022 Richard Tucker Award winner is celebrated worldwide for her honeyed soprano and affecting deliveries of many of the most beloved roles in the operatic repertory, {…}

DVD and CD Reviews, Reviews

CD Review: HDTT’s ‘Il Trovatore’

https://operawire.com/cd-review-hdtts-il-trovatore/

Cellini’s golden “Trovatore” from 1952 is arguably one of the most enduring in discographic history. It has always been a favorite of English-speaking critics, bringing together the Met’s roster of international superstars: Björling, Milanov, Warren, and Barbieri. In Italy, its critical fortune has been more mitigated; yet when pressed, even as staunch a skeptic as the notoriously exacting Elvio Giudici {…}