Johan Jonatan "Jussi" Björling was a Swedish tenor, celebrated for his beautifully controlled vocal line and the brilliance of his upper register, who became one of the most esteemed opera singers of the 20th century. Born on February 5, 1911, in Stora Tuna, Dalarna, Sweden, he was steeped in music from an early age as a member of the Björling Male Quartet with his father and two brothers. His professional debut came at the age of 17 at the Kungliga Teatern (Royal Swedish Opera) in Stockholm, launching a career that would dazzle audiences in Europe and America alike.

Björling's international breakthrough came in 1930 when he sang at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and by the mid-1930s, he was performing at leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera where he would become a fixture. Known for his interpretations of Puccini and Verdi roles, he left an indelible mark on operas such as "La bohème," "Manon Lescaut," "Il trovatore," and "Don Carlo." His recording legacy, including live performances and studio sessions, captures the exquisite prowess of his vocal art. Even after his untimely death on September 9, 1960, at the age of 49, Jussi Björling's recordings remain touchstones for tenors and opera enthusiasts, celebrated for their lyrical beauty and heartfelt emotion.

Genres

Classical Tenor

Komedi

Opera

Related Artists

Luciano Pavarotti

Enrico Caruso

Mario Lanza

Beniamino Gigli

Franco Corelli

Nicolai Gedda

Fritz Wunderlich

Leonard Bernstein

Plácido Domingo

Maria Callas

José Carreras

Benjamin Britten

Latest Release

Puccini: La bohème

Giacomo Puccini•

Jussi Björling•

Sir Thomas Beecham

Album - 36 Tracks - Released November 17, 2023