JUSSI BJÖRLING (1911 – 1960) – The Commemorative Years
-A retrospect by Göran Forsling
When the preparations for Jussi Björling’s two commemorative
years started during 2009, no one involved could have dreamt
about the scope of the celebrations. After all, 2010 marked
50 years since Björling had passed away and 2011 was the centenary
of his birth.
The Scandinavian Jussi Björling Society set up a jubilee committee
and the Municipality of Borlänge - where Jussi was born - organized
a reference group for the local celebrations at Borlänge. I
was asked, a couple of weeks before Christmas 2009, whether
I was willing to be project leader for the reference group.
Then, some weeks into 2010, I was offered a position as ‘campaign
general’ for the Björling society. There were no conflicting
loyalties in these offers, rather the synergy turned out to
be considerable. I also gained valuable insights into what was
happening locally, nationally and internationally.
The financial conditions for the two activities were initially
very disparate. The Municipality of Borlänge earmarked a total
of 1,200,200 SEK over three years. The Jussi Björling Society
had, justifiably, high hopes that Kulturrådet (Swedish Arts
Council) and in the last resort the Ministry of Culture would
contribute a corresponding sum, but this came to nothing. Salvation
arrived instead in the shape of two donations, one from Stefan
Sund Fastigheter (a real-estate company) and one from the Barbro
Osher Foundation. Thanks to these glad tidings, detailed planning
of the society’s celebrations could proceed. The outcome was
that we were able to support a large number of different activities.
All in all these would stimulate and disseminate knowledge about
Björling to old admirers of his art as well as new generations
of music-lovers.
In Borlänge we were able to arrange a great number of concerts,
among those a moving and solemn memorial concert at Stora Tuna
Church on 9 September 2010 to mark the 50-year commemoration
of his death. In the audience were Jussi’s children Ann-Charlotte
and Lars. One of the soloists was his grandson Raymond. In collaboration
with Opera på Skäret we arranged memorial concerts in Borlänge
and in Kopparberg with international soloists. The local chamber
music society and symphony orchestra also collaborated in these
events. In this way we could treat the inhabitants of the municipality
to first class artists that otherwise would have been impossible.
Thus we were able to present, possibly for the first time ever,
most of the popular songs that Jussi recorded in the early 1930s
under the pseudonym ‘Erik Odde’, sung by internationally active
tenor Fredrik de Jounge. At the traditional Spring Festival
2011 we were also able mount a large scale opera programme with
symphony orchestra, grand chorus and four soloists, including
the Welsh tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones. Hughes Jones, seventeen years
earlier had been second prize winner in the first, and as it
turned out, only Jussi Björling Tenor Competition. The final
high-spot was a gala concert on 18 November 2011, in a crammed
Stora Tuna Church. The regional Dala Sinfonietta together with
Gävle Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Tobias Ringborg offered
glorious playing. With three soloists of international stature
– soprano Katarina Dalayman, tenor Antonello Palombi and baritone
Fredrik Zetterström – this was a celebration that will be long
remembered by those present.
These activities were all financed by the local authorities
at Borlänge. The Jussi Björling Society, on the other hand,
sponsored numerous concerts around Sweden as well as in many
places in the rest of Europe and in North America. Lectures
and seminars were also given in many places, sometimes combined
with concerts. Several books about Jussi Björling were published,
partly supported with money from the Society. So far seven CD
sets have been issued, including a 3-CD box of American radio
recordings (WHRA), a 14-CD edition with Jussi’s RCA albums (Sony),
a 3-CD collection of the complete recordings from the outdoor
amusement park Gröna Lund (Bluebell) and, at the time of writing
still in the pipeline, an 11-CD Naxos box covering his whole
recording career. A review of the latter will appear on MusicWeb
International when it is issued. A documentary film, Jussi
in our hearts, was produced by Torbjörn Lindqvist and was
a success. It was shown at cinemas around Sweden and at Zita
in Stockholm it played every day between 2 February and 30 June
2011, and was seen by more than 8,000 visitors. The documentary
was issued on DVD in August 2011 and is now available with English
subtitles for the international market.
Several exhibitions have had numerous visitors in Vienna, the
Danish Embassy in Stockholm, The Royal Opera, Stockholm, the
Concert Hall, Stockholm (also shown at Musikaliska, Nybrokajen
11) and on tour in seven other places.
The project ‘The New Björlings’ was carried through in co-operation
with the Stockholm Boys’ Choir. Wearing specially made national
costumes they performed repertoire that Jussi and his brothers
sang during their boyhood. Raymond Björling took the role of
the boys’ father David and legendary broadcaster Calle Friedner
introduced the programme. The first concert was given at Trinity
Church in Örebro on 12 November 2010, on the day 95 years after
the Björling boys’ very first public appearance in that particular
church! Further appearances were at the Eric Ericson Hall in
Stockholm and at Stora Tuna Church.
An essential feature during the centenary celebrations was the
international Jussi Björling Conference, which took place in
Stockholm and Borlänge 3–5 September and was preceded by The
Royal Opera’s Gala Concert to the memory of Jussi. Among the
soloists German tenor Jonas Kaufman, American tenor Charles
Castronovo and Swedish soprano Katarina Dalayman should be mentioned.
A number of other prominent Swedish singers also took part and
made this another highlight during these commemorative years.
The conference attracted around 70 participants, quite a few
from the USA. Internationally renowned Björling specialist Bertil
Bengtsson gave a lecture under the heading ‘How Jussi Became
a Star’. Nils Göran Olve, president of Operavännerna (The Friends
of the Stockholm Opera) interviewed Ann-Charlotte. Anders Björling,
daughter and oldest son of Jussi, Phoniatrician Per-Åke Lindestad
gave a lecture on ‘The Physiology of the Voice’, where we were
taken on a camera ride through Lindestad’s nostrils down to
his larynx and the vocal cords. A truly fascinating journey!
Cardiologist Mårten Rosenqvist then gave some ‘Aspects on Jussi
Björling’s Health’, concentrating on his heart troubles. This
sparked a discussion on further factors concerning Jussi’s health
involving Psychiatrist Sten Levander amd Yrsa Stenius, author
of a book on Jussi, that has attracted a lot of attention. Walter
B Rudolph, well known broadcaster and President-to-be of the
American Jussi Björling Society, then rounded off the first
conference day with ‘Jussi in the US’, where we also heard some
interviews, including one with recently deceased bass Giorgio
Tozzi.
The second day opened with a discussion on ‘Sound Restoration’.
The two participants were Christer Eklund, the mastermind behind
the Gröna Lund box on Bluebell, mentioned earlier, and Dan Shea,
former President of the American Jussi Björling Society and
together with Seth Winner responsible for the WHRA box, also
mentioned above. ‘Jussi as a Recording Artist’ was the title
of Stephen Hastings’ programme that followed. Stephen has spent
several years of close listening to Jussi Björling’s recordings
and also, for comparison, most other great tenors of the past
and the present. Probably no other person today has a deeper
knowledge of ‘The Jussi Björling Sound’, which also
is the title of his forthcoming book (Boydell & Brewer),
due for release at the end of May. The last programme of the
Stockholm part of the conference was a panel discussion under
the heading ‘How Do We Win the Youth for Opera?’: former Prime
Minister Ingvar Carlsson, Opera Director Birgitta Svendén, Dan
Shea, Richard Klingspor, Singer and Senior Artist Manager with
broadcaster, Niklas Lindblad as moderator.
After a coach-ride to Borlänge the morning was devoted to the
Jussi Björling Museum and visits to places related to Jussi,
including his grave at the church yard of Stora Tuna Church.
After lunch the heading of a first panel was ‘Jussi from the
critics’ point of view’. Stephen Hastings, myself as reviewer
for MusicWeb International and Björn Gustavsson, author and
reviewer had chosen a couple of recordings each of which was
discussed with participation from the audience. Harald Henrysson,
former curator of the Jussi Björling Museum, then presented
the database covering Björling’s recorded legacy, now available
on the Jussi
Björling Museum homepage. Behind this lies a gigantic workload
over several decades and the base is probably unique among singer
archives.
This marked the end of the conference but in the evening there
was a concert at the Mission Church with former recipients of
the Jussi Björling Prize, including world renowned soprano Hillevi
Martinpelto and composer and jazz pianist Nils Lindberg. The
2011recipient, Hanna Husáhr, suitably enough born and brought
up in Borlänge, also took part, bringing down ovations for her
Caro nome from Rigoletto. This is definitely
a singer to watch.
The conference, it should be added, was a co-production between
the Jussi Björling Society and the Municipality of Borlänge.
There were well-attended Jussi-days at Voxna and Strömsbruk,
in the Province of Hälsingland where several generations of
the Björling family lived and worked. There was also an outdoor
stage concert at Solliden, Skansen in Stockholm, where Jussi
sang annually for many years. Together with two young Swedish
tenors Gwyn Hughes Jones was the main attraction there.
A special event, with the aim of making Jussi Björling a household
name among the youngest generation, was a musical entitled ‘Jakten
på Jussi’ (The Hunt for [a new] Jussi), produced by teachers
and pupils at a ‘högstadie’ school in Borlänge (‘högstadie’
is the highest level of the nine year compulsory Swedish school
system). It was a great success and was seen by more than 1,000
school children and some of their parents. Harald Henrysson
described it as the first ‘jussical’.
Over the two commemorative years Björling events of different
kinds have been carried through in 15 countries: Austria, Canada,
Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Israel, Italy,
Latvia, Norway, South Africa, Sweden and Switzerland.
Some statistics:
163 concerts, sometimes combined with spoken commentaries
78 lectures, record launches, panel discussions etc
47 radio- and TV-programmes
5 exhibitions
5 book- and web-publications
7 CD-releases
One may ask: Have all these activities implied a growing and
widening interest in Jussi Björling and his art, or is it primarily
those already ‘hooked’ that have taken part? It is difficult
to give an unambiguous answer. Many events have been well attended,
books and records have sold well, the number of visitors to
the Jussi Björling Museum increased considerably, a specially
designed Jussi Björling Cake was a success and the number of
members of the Scandinavian Jussi Björling Society went up by
far more than 100. On the other hand we don’t know who
bought, who visited and who consumed, and
we don’t know for how long the supposedly widened interest will
last. The people in Borlänge have generally been eager visitors
to most of the local events but, considering the intense marketing
and the many events in Borlänge they are hardly representative
for Sweden at large.
We know, however, that a lot of people have been engaged in
all these activities, worked hard and enthusiastically – artists,
producers and ‘ordinary’ people. I believe that there are some
for whom these celebrations have been eye-openers and thus contributed
to an interest in the art of Jussi for years to come.
Göran Forsling
March 2012
Jussi Björling’s Memory Celebrated 2010-2011
(including what is scheduled to take place early in 2012)
This list includes events, radio & TV programs, CD and book publications, etc., directly or indirectly related to the 50
th anniversary of Jussi Björlings death (2010) and the 100
th anniversary of his birth (2011).
Places with no indication of country are situated in Sweden.
2010
July 12 (16:00). Voxna kyrka (church).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Ingrid Tobiasson (mezzo), Olle Persson (bar), & Nils Olsson (ten; winner of the Scandinavian Jussi Björling Society Prize 2010). Followed by gramophone concert with JB at Voxna Herrgård.
July 18 (18:00). Borlänge, Stora Tuna kyrka (church).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with soloists from the “Opera på Skäret”
Bohème production: Yana Klein (sop), & César Gutiérrez (ten).
August 16 (19:00). Stockholm, Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace).
Jussi Björling memorial concert in the “Musik på Slottet (Music at the Royal Palace)” series. Singers: Paulina Pfeiffer & Agneta Eichenholz (sop), Ingrid Tobiasson & Katarina Karnéus (mezzo), Claes-Håkan Ahnsjö, Daniel Johansson, Daniel Svenson, Michael Weinius, Mats Carlsson, Lars Cleveman & Mario Malagnini (ten), Marcus Jupither & Fredrik Zetterström (bar), Petri Lindroos (bass); Stockholms Ensemblen, cond. Mats Liljefors. Presentation: Kerstin Meyer. Excerpts from the concert broadcast 28 November by Swedish Television.
August 19. Siarö, Jussi Björlings sångstudio (JB’s singing studio).
Ljusterö Festival opened for invited guests. Songs by Lena Nordin (sop), talks by Kerstin Meyer and Kjerstin Dellert. Release of “Jussi i Roslagens famn (Jussi in Roslagen)”, a book about his life on Siarö and Ljusterö (available from the Björling Museum).
August 21. Ljusterö Bygdegård (community hall).
“Jussi i ljud och bild (Jussi in Sound and Pictures)” presented by Bertil Bengtsson.
August 28 (13:30). Stockholm, Skansen, Solliden.
Jussi Björling memorial concert with tenors Mats Carlsson & Nils Olsson (Scandinavian JB Society Prize winners) & Raymond Björling. Accompanists: André Baraula & Love Derwinger (piano) & Sone Banger, accordion. Folk music performed by Matts Arnberg & Ulf Störling. Presentation: Stefan Olmårs; introductory JB presentation: Bertil Bengtsson.
August 30 (12:15). Stockholm, Kungsträdgården.
Lunch concert with Bengt Krantz (bar; president of Scandinavian JB Society) & Nils Olsson (ten). Information about Jussi Björling and CD sale.
September 9 (18:00). Stockholm, ABF-huset (ABF Building).
”En afton med och om Jussi Björling (An Evening about and with JB)”. Presentation: Yrsa Stenius & Bertil Bengtsson. Moderator: Carl Tham.
September 9 (19:00). Stockholm, Östermalms Föreningsråd, Valhallavägen 148. OperaVännerna vid Kungliga Operan i Stockholm (Friends of the Royal Opera) meeting, devoted to JB as Faust, especially the 1959 Met performance. Presentation: Nils-Göran Olve. JBS members also invited.
September 9 (19:00). Borlänge, Stora Tuna kyrka (church).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with the Falun Conservatory Choir and the Borganäs Choir, Borlänge. Soloists: Carolina Bengtsdotter Ljung (mezzo) & Raymond Björling (ten). Conclusion at Jussi Björling’s gravesite with the chorus and speech by County Governor Maria Norrfalk.
September 10 (19:00). Rättvik, Ovanmyra missionshus (mission hall).
”Ett liv som Björling (A Life as a Björling)”. Jussi Björling memorial program by his grandson Raymond Björling (ten), who talks and sings.
September 10, New York, Auditorium of Christ Church, Park Ave. & 60
th St.
Vocal Record Collectors Society meeting, and official launch of the CD set “Jussi Björling Live”. Presentation: Dan Shea & Seth Winner.
September 11 (14:00). London, Swedenborg Hall.
Special event featuring an audio-visual Jussi Björling presentation by Richard Copeman and a recital by Anando Mukerjee (ten). Official UK launch of the “Jussi Björling Live” CD set. (Critic John Steane could not attend due to illness.)
September 11 (16:00). Strömsbruk, Strömshall.
”Jussifest”. Introduction by Ströms bruksorkester;
(16:30) Concert with Gitta-Maria Sjöberg (sop), Sofia Lindroos (sop & violin), Markus Nykänen (ten) & Petri Lindroos (bass); Kristian Attila (piano).
Evening program about tenor Peter Lindroos with Petri Lindroos, Karin Mang-Habashi and Gitta-Maria Sjöberg.
September 11 (18:03). Swedish Radio P2 Musikradion, ”Arkiv klassiskt”.
Curt Carlsson presents Jussi Björling recordings from the radio archives.
September 12 (10:00). Strömsbruk, Missionskyrkan (Mission church).
“Jussifest” continues. Harald Henrysson presents “David Björling och hans söner i USA (David Björling and his sons in the US)”. (HH replaced Yrsa Stenius who was ill.)
September 12. Südwestrundfunk (SWR2), Germany.
“Zur Person: Jussi Björling (About the person: JB)”
Radio program by Hildburg Heider.
September 13, 20 & 27 (12:30). Swedish Radio P2 (each program repeated in P1 the following Saturday at 23:07)
“Folkets Jussi (The People’s Jussi)”. Three programs with Björn Ranelid. Guests: Jacob Forsell & Harald Henrysson; Ann-Charlotte & Lars Björling; Raymond Björling & Kickie Ekman.
September 26 (18:00). Borlänge, Missionskyrkan (Mission church).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Fredrik de Jounge (ten), including “Erik Odde” songs.
October 21 (15:00). Stockholm, Operan, Guldfoajén (Opera House, Golden Foyer).
“Jussi: Sången, Människan, Bilderna (The music, the man, the pictures)”, a book edited by Jacob Forsell, released; a new “Jussi Björling Live” CD set presented. By invitation.
October 23 (15:00). Stockholm, Konserthuset, Grünewaldsalen (Concert Hall, Grünewald Auditorium).
The new “Jussi Björling Live” CD set presented to the public by Nils-Göran Olve, Yrsa Stenius & Harald Henrysson.
November 2. Västerås.
“Till minnet av Jussi Björling” (In memory of Jussi Björling)”, presentation by Bertil Bengtsson (arranged by Västerås Humanistiska Förbund).
November 28. Swedish TV2.
Telecast of abridged version of the August 16 Royal Palace memorial concert.
December.
Jussi Björling memorial issue of Swedish magazine “Opera” published.
December 12 (17:00). Örebro, Trefaldighetskyrkan (Trinity church).
Concert with “Nya Björlingkvartetten (The New Björling Quartet)”, Stockholms Gosskör (Stockholm Boys’ Choir) and Raymond Björling (ten), in memory of JB’s debut at the church in 1915. Presentation: Calle Friedner. (Telecast, see Jan. 29.)
December 16. Swedish Radio P1 “Mitt i musiken” (available on the web:
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=1012&artikel=4244635)
Program by Magnus Görsch about USA and the Jussi Björling Centenary. Presentation of the new “Jussi Björling Live” CD set and interview with Robert Tuggle, Metropolitan Opera Archives.
2011
January 13 (11:00). Vienna (Austria), Opera House, Pausensaal.
Jussi Björling exhibition (to remain for six weeks) opened by Lars Björling.
January 13 (19:00). Vienna (Austria), Großer Festsaal der Industriellen Vereinigung.
Jussi Björling memorial gala including tenors Piotr Beczala and Lars Björling. Presentation: Rudolf Wallner. Reception for invited guests after the gala at the home of Ingela Bruner, President of the Austrian-Swedish Society.
January 17 - 21 (15:03). Swedish Radio P1 (SR P1).
“Nordegren i P1 (Nordegren in P1)”. Thomas Nordegren devotes part of his program to a “Jussi Björling Festival”.
January 21 (17:25). Swedish Radio P1 (SR P1).
“Studio 1”. Torbjörn Lindqvist interviewed about his film “Jussi i våra hjärtan (Jussi in Our Hearts)”.
January 22 (18:00). Malmö, Palladium.
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Raymond Björling & Rickard Söderberg (ten), Karin O Bäckström (mezzo) & Joakim Andersson, piano. Introductory talk by Raymond Björling about his grandfather.
January 24 (6:25 – 11:15). Swedish Television, Channel 1 (SVT1).
“Gomorron Sverige (Good Morning, Sweden)”. Presentation of the film ”Jussi i våra hjärtan” included on the program.
January 24, Göteborg (Gothenburg),
"En hyllning till Jussi Björling (Homage to JB)". Lecture by Bertil Bengtsson arranged by Göteborgs Teaterhistoriska samfund.
January 28 (18:30). Stockholm, Italienska Kulturinstitutet (Italian Cultural Institute).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Elisabeth Wärnfeldt & Anna-Lena Engström (sop), Raymond Björling (ten), Antonio Sarnelli da Silva (bar) & Paolo Scibilia (piano).
January 29 (19:00). Swedish Television, Channel 1 (SVT1). Repeats (SVT24): Jan. 30 (5:30), Jan. 31 (12:35) & Feb. 1 (23:15).
“Sverige! (Sweden!)” Broadcast from the Dec. 12 Jussi Björling memorial concert in Örebro with Nya Björlingkvartetten & Stockholms gosskör, Includes interviews with tenors Raymond Björling and Rickard Söderberg.
January 30 (16:00). Stockholm, Högalidskyrkan (Högalid church).
“Livsetik i operalitteraturen (Life Ethics in Opera Literature)”. Jussi Björling memorial concert with Elisabeth Wärnfeldt & Anna-Lena Engström (sop), Raymond Björling (ten), Antonio Sarnelli da Silva (bar) & Paolo Scibilia (piano).
January 31 (11:00 & 20:00 US Mountain Time). Classical 89 KBYU-FM radio
, Provo, UT, USA
(http://classical89.org/streaming/classical89.html)
“Thinking Aloud on Jussi”. Program by Walter Rudolph.
January 31 – February 4, February 7 – 11 (10:04). Swedish Radio P2 (SR P2).
“Klassisk förmiddag (Classical Morning)”. Part of the program (on February 2 the whole
program) devoted to Jussi Björling recordings.
January 31 – February 6. Sirius XM Radio, USA.
The 100
th anniversary of Jussi Björling celebrated by broadcasting three of his Met performances (Eastern Time): Don Carlo (Jan. 31 15:00, Feb. 3 9:00, Feb. 5 21:00); Rigoletto (Feb. 1 6:00, Feb. 3 21:00, Feb. 6 12:00) and Roméo et Juliette (Feb. 3 15:00, Feb. 5 9:00).
February 1 (11:00). Borlänge, Maximteatern (Maxim Theatre).
(14:00). Falun, Folkets hus, Smultronstället
“Jussi i våra hjärtan (Jussi in Our Hearts)”. Preview of a film by Torbjörn Lindqvist, including interviews with Jussi’s children and colleagues. (72 minutes. Trailer on the web:
http://www.folketsbio.se/filmer/filmer/1008.)
February 1 (15:05) ORF (Austrian Radio), OE1 channel.
“Apropos Oper: Jussi Björling – 100. Geburtstag (Apropos of Opera: JB – 100
th Birthday)”. Memorial program by Gottfried Cervenka.
February 1 (16:00-18:00 Israeli time, 15:00-17:00 Stockholm, 09:00-11:00 New York). Israeli radio, “Kol Hamusica” channel (can be heard on the “Kol Hamusica” website).
Jussi Björling memorial program by Mati Zeiti-Elboim.
February 1 (18:00). Stockholm, Konserthuset, Grünewaldsalen (Concert Hall, Grünewald Auditorium).
"Välkommen till Jussi Björlings värld (Welcome to Jussi Björling’s World)". Lecture by Jacob Forsell based on his book
Jussi - sången, människan, bilderna.
February 1 (20:00 US Mountain time). Classical 89 KBYU-FM radio, Provo, UT, USA
“Just Jussi”. Program by Walter Rudolph based on the new “Jussi Björling Live” 4-CD set.
February 2 (about 7:00-8:00). TV4, Sweden.
“Nyhetsmorgon (Morning News)”. Lars Björling is interviewed and the tenor Oskar Bly sings during the program.
February 2 (13:05-15:00). Swedish Radio, Channel 4 (SR P4).
“P4 Extra” includes interview by Lotta Bromé with Jacob Forsell about his Jussi Björling book.
February 2 (15:00). Borlänge, Stora Tuna kyrkogård (churchyard).
Wreath-laying ceremony at Jussi Björling’s grave. Speech by Ola Brossberg.
February 2 (15:03-15:45). Swedish Radio, Channel 1 (SR P1).
“Nordegren i P1 (Nordegren in P1)”. Jussi Björling memorial program including interviews with Rudolf Wallner, Walter Rudolph and Mats Carlsson (who also sings).
February 2 (18:00). Borlänge, Maximteatern.
(20:00). Falun, Folkets hus, Smultronstället (and other Swedish digital cinemas).
“Jussi i våra hjärtan (Jussi in Our Hearts)”. Première for a film by Torbjörn Lindqvist.
February 2 (19:00). Falun, Dalarnas Museum.
Jussi Björling program with Harald Henrysson at the annual meeting of Humanistiska Föreningen (Humanistic Society).
February 2. Swedish Television, SVT1 (19:00) & SVT2 (22:35).
“Kulturnyheterna: Jussi Björling 100 år (News in Culture: JB’s 100
th Anniversary)”. Yrsa Stenius interviewed by Ditte Hammar.
February 2. Göteborg (Gothenburg), Opera House.
"Till minne av Jussi Björling (In Memory of JB)". Lecture by Bertil Bengtsson arranged by ”Föreningen Glada Tanter”.
February 2 (19:00 US Mountain Time). Orem (UT, USA), Public Library.
“Jussi Bjorling: The Unassuming Superstar”. Broadcaster Walter Rudolph celebrates the life and music of Jussi Bjorling.
February 4 (14:05). Bayerischer Rundfunk (Bavarian Radio, Germany), BR-Klassik.
“Cantabile: Zwischen Stockholm und New York: Jussi Björling zum 100. Geburtstag (Cantabile: Between Stockholm and New York: JB 100 Years)”. Memorial program.
February 4 (19:00 Irish time, 20:00 Stockholm, 14:00 New York). Irish radio, RTÉ Lyric fm channel.
“The Lyric Feature: Beloved Jussi”. Program by Liz Nolan including interviews with John Steane, Anne-Marie O’Sullivan, Sue Flaster & Harald Henrysson.
February 5 (10:00 US Mountain Time). Classical 89 KBYU-FM radio, USA.
“Just Jussi”. Repeat from Feb. 1 of program by Walter Rudolph based on the new “Jussi Björling Live” 4-CD set.
February 5 (12:00-13:00). Stockholm, Operan, Guldfoajén (Opera House, Golden Foyer).
”Jussi och medierna (Jussi and the Media)”. Seminar with Katarina Aronsson, Stefan Johansson, Kerstin Berggren, Carl-Gunnar Åhlén & Jacob Forsell. Followed by a singing tribute at the Jussi Björling bust outside the Opera House. JB exhibition opened in the opera house.
February 5 (13:00). Borlänge, Jussi Björlings Torg (JB Square).
Ceremony at the Jussi Björling statue, including short speech by Hans Björke, wreathing of the statue and song by Mats Carlsson (ten).
February 5 (15:00). Borlänge, Missionskyrkan (Mission church).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Mats Carlsson (ten) & Love Derwinger (piano).
The concert preceded (at 13:15) by the Scandinavian Jussi Björling Society’s annual meeting at the JB Museum. After the concert (about 16:00) release and presentation at the museum of Bluebell’s 3-CD issue of Jussi Björling’s complete Gröna Lund recordings.
February 5 (15:00). Köping, IOGT-NTO-huset, Teatern Forum.
“Till minnet av Jussi Björling” (In memory of Jussi Björling)”. Presentation by Bertil Bengtsson and Yrsa Stenius.
February 5 (15:00). Oslo (Norway), Den Norske Opera (Norwegian Opera), Formidlingssenteret.
“Jussi Björling – den evigt rene (JB – The Eternally Pure”. Presentation by Gunnar Thorbjørnsen.
February 5 (16:00-17:00 CST). WFMT radio (Chicago, IL, USA).
“From the Recording Horn”. Jussi Björling program by Andy Karzas.
February 5 (17:00). London (UK), Ulrika Eleonora Swedish church.
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Raymond Björling (ten).
February 5 (19:00, repeat Feb. 6 & 7). Swedish Television, Channel 2 (SVT2).
”Musik Special: Sagan om Jussi (The Story of Jussi)”. A film by Johan von Sydow, including interviews with Jussi’s children and colleagues.
February 5. Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Germany.
“Der schwedische Tenor Jussi Björling zum 100. Geburtstag (To the Swedish Tenor JB on His 100
th Birthday)”. Radio program by Hildburg Heider.
February 5 (17:30). Catanzaro (Italy), Palazzo Fazzari, Circolo Unione.
“Ricordo del tenore Jussi Björling nel 100° della nascita (Commemoration of the tenor JB on his 100
th birthday)”, Special meeting by Amici dell’Opera Lirica “Jussi Björling”.
February 5 (19:30). Pointe-Claire (Quebec, Canada), Stewart Hall.
“Evening at the Opera: Happy Birthday Jussi Björling!”
Memorial concert hosted by Manrico Tedeschi (ten) with Makiko Awazu & Pamela Jones (sop), Franco Perrotta (ten) & Jacques Saint-Jean (piano).
February 6 (15:05). Deutschlandradio, Germany.
“Interpretationen: Der einzige Nachfolger Carusos (Interpretations: Caruso’s Only Successor)”. Program by Ruth Jarre with Jürgen Kesting as guest.
February 6 (16:00). Oslo (Norway), Operaklubben Arie (Arie Opera Club).
“Vi feirer 100 års dagen til verdens største tenor (We celebrate the centenary of the world’s greatest tenor). Jussi Björling memorial program including playing of DVD with him, sale of books and CDs and concert by Andreas Hoff Eriksen (ten).
February 6 (16:03). DRS2 (Radio of German and Rhaeto-Romanic Speaking Switzerland).
”Parlando: Südliche Glut unter schimmerndem Eis (Parlando: Southern Ardor under Shimmering Ice)“. Program by Hildburg Heider in memory of Jussi Björling (
http://www.drs2.ch/www/de/drs2/sendungen/parlando/2721.sh10164010.html).
February 6 (18:00). Göteborg (Gothenburg), Konserthuset (Concert Hall), Stenhammar Auditorium.
Kammarkonsert: Jussi Björlings 100-årsjubileum (Chamber concert: Jussi Björling’s Centenary) with Mats Carlsson (ten) & Love Derwinger (piano). Presentation: Bertil Bengtsson.
February 7 (10:00). Tyresö, Trollbäckens kyrka (church), Café Vindfånget.
”Vi minns Jussi Björling 100 år (We Remember Jussi Björling 100 Years)”. JB’s singing career presented by Gösta Johansson.
February 7 (18:30). Kotka (Finland), Stadsbiblioteket (Municipal library).
“Jussi Björling – kärret, gräftan och tenoren (JB – The swamp, the pick and the tenor)”. Lecture by opera singer and musicologist Peter Nordman.
February 8 (16:50-18:20). Helsinki/Helsingfors (Finland), Opistotalo, Viipurinsali.
”Jussi Björling – syntymästä 100 vuotta (JB – born 100 years ago)”. Presentation by musicologist Lotta Emanuelsson.
February. Sweden.
Special Jussi Björling issue of music magazine “Opus” published.
February 14. Göteborg (Gothenburg), Folkets Hus, Asperösalen.
"En hyllning till JB (Homage to JB). Lecture by Bertil Bengtsson, arranged by Göteborgs Pensionärsuniversitet.
February 18 (12:00). Stockholm, Klara kyrka (church).
”Jussi Björling 100 år (JB 100th anniversary)”. Raymond Björling (ten) & Per Thunarf sing, play & talk.
February 23 (12:30). Stockholm, Operan, Operakaféet (Opera House Cafe).
“En hyllning till Jussi (A Tribute to Jussi)”. Lunch concert with Lars Cleveman (ten) & John Erik Eleby (piano).
February 23 (19:00). Ystad, Teatern, Teaterkaféet (Theater Cafe).
Lecture about Jussi Björling’s life and singing career by baritone Bengt Krantz, chairman of Scandinavian JB Society.
February 23 (19:30). Stockholm, Konserthuset (Concert Hall).
“Bryn Terfel – Bad Boy”. Concert devoted to Jussi Björling’s memory with Bryn Terfel
(bar), Gustaf Sjökvist’s Chamber Choir & The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Gareth Jones.
February 25 (12:30). Stockholm, Operan, Operakaféet (Opera House Café).
“En hyllning till Jussi (A Tribute to Jussi)”. Lunch concert with Lars Cleveman (ten) & John Erik Eleby (piano).
February 26. Västervik, S:t Petri kyrka (church).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Mats Carlsson (ten) & Bo Ingelberg (piano & organ).
February 26. Ånge, Torps kyrka (church).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Nils Olsson (ten).
March 3 (19:00). Uppsala, Alfvénsalen (Alfvén Hall).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Mats Carlsson (ten), Manifestum male chorus & Love Derwinger (piano). JB presentation by Bertil Bengtsson.
March 4 (13:00). Järfälla, Kallhälls Folkets Hus.
”Jussi 100 år (Jussi 100 Years)”. Jacob Forsell presents his book "Jussi: sången, människan, bilderna”. Arrangement by Seniorakademin (ABF).
March 4 (19:00). Strängnäs, Paulinska Aulan;. - March 5. Mariehamn (Åland, Finland), Margaretagården.
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Mats Carlsson (ten), Manifestum male chorus & Love Derwinger (piano). JB presentation by Bertil Bengtsson.
March 8 (11:00). Salem, Murgrönan.
Jacob Forsell presents his new book about Jussi Björling (arranged by SPF Salem).
March 8 (13:15). Uppsala, Universitetet, Sal X (University, Auditorium X),
“Med David Björling och hans pojkar i Amerika: Jussis första utlandsturné 1919-21 (With David Björling and His Sons in America: Jussi’s first tour abroad)”. Lecture by Harald Henrysson. Host: Ingrid Åberg. (Arranged by Senioruniversitetet Uppsala.)
March 12 (15:00). Aalborg (Denmark), Utzon Center.
”Tonerna”. Jussi Björling memorial concert (during Aalborg Opera Festival) with Mats Carlsson (ten)
& Anders Ahnfelt-Rønne (piano). JB presentation by Ahnfelt-Rønne.
March 13 (11:00). Berlin (Germany), Staatsoper (Schillertheater).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Zoran Todorovich (ten) and lecture by Jürgen Kesting.
March 19. Täby, Näsbyparks kyrka (church).
"Jussi - 100 år (Jussi - 100 Years)”. Raymond Björling sings and talks about his grandfather; Stefan Ydefeldt (piano).
March 20 (13:00-15:00). Hökmossens Gård
”Land, du välsignade (Thou Blessed Country)”. Raymond Björling sings and talks about his grandfather Jussi.
March 22 (19:00). Gävle, Stadsbiblioteket (Municipal Library), Kafé Edbom.
”Jussi Björling – sångaren och människan (JB – the Singer and the Person)”. Lecture by Kjell Nilsson.
March 23. Täby, Grindtorpskyrkan
”Jussi - 100 år (Jussi – 100 Years)”. Lecture by opera singer & musicologist Andreas Konvicka at the monthly meeting of SPF TibbleSeniorerna.
March 24. Stockholm, Bygdegården Anna Whitlock.
”Jussi Björling – 100 år (JB – 100 Years)”. Presentation by Andreas Konvicka.
April 1. Helsinki/Helsingfors (Finland).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Mats Carlsson (ten) and Manifestum male chorus. JB presentation by Bertil Bengtsson.
April 5 (14:00). Stockholm, ABF-huset (ABF House).
“Jussi Björling 100 år (JB 100 Years)”. Program by Yrsa Stenius.
April 12 (18:30). Kumla, Biblioteket (Public library).
“Jussi Björling, Örebros och världens främste tenor (Örebro’s and the World’s Greatest Tenor)”. Lecture by Bo E. Fransson.
April 16. Degerfors, Församlingshemmet.
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Kent Lundberg (ten) & Sören Ågren (piano).
April 17 (16:00). Stockholm, Filmhuset, Bio Victor.
“Fram för framgång (Head for Success)”. The movie with Jussi Björling shown in celebration of his centennial, with introduction by Ann-Charlotte Björling. Arrangement by Svenska Filminstitutet / Cinemateket.
April 20 (14:00). Eskilstuna, Biblioteket (Public library).
”Jussi Björling 100 år (JB 100 Years)”. Program by Yrsa Stenius.
April 20, Göteborg (Gothenburg), Örgryte församlingshem
"Till minne av Jussi Björling (In Memory of JB)". Lecture by Bertil Bengtsson. Arrangement by ”Föreningen Glada Tanter”.
April 27 (12:00). Vallentuna, Mattiasgården.
”Jussi Björling 100 år (JB 100 Years)”. Program by Yrsa Stenius.
April 27 (19:30). Helsingborg, Dunkers Kulturhus.
”I Jussis fotspår (In Jussi’s Footsteps)”. Memorial concert with Joachim Bäckström (ten) & Joachim Thomas Darelius (piano).
April 29 (19:30). Trondheim (Norway), Olavshallen (St. Olav Hall).
“Hommage a Jussi Björling”. Opera gala with Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, cond. Alexander Vedernikov. Host: Yrsa Stenius.
May 1 (14:00-15:00). SR P2 (Swedish Radio, Channel 2).
“P2 Dokumentär: Jussibilder (P2 Documentary: Jussi Pictures)”. Jacob Forsell talks with Tom Sandberg.
May 2 (19:30). Merrick (NY, USA), Road Golf Clubhouse.
Jussi Björling memorial lecture by Cantor Don Goldberg.
May 4 (19:00). Uppsala, Akademiska sjukhuset (Academic Hospital), Grönwallsalen
”Jussi Björling – sångare på liv och död (JB – Singer of Life and Death)”. Discussion between Yrsa Stenius, Jacob Forsell and professor Gunnar Birgegård.
May 6. Borlänge, Forum Kvarnsveden.
“Jakten på Jussi” (The Hunt for Jussi). Public performance of Forssaklack School’s musical inspired by Jussi Björling.
May 8 (14:00-15:00). SR P2 (Swedish Radio, Channel 2).
“P2 Dokumentär: Vi älskar Jussi: Andreas Lindahl i Jussis sällskap (We Love Jussi: Andreas Lindahl in Jussi’s Societies)”.
May 8 (17:00-19:00). Karlskoga, Musikpalatset.
“Jussi Björling 100”. Memorial concert with Kent Lundberg (ten) & Sören Ågren (piano).
May 10 (16:30). Stockholm, Jakobs Torg (Jacob Square, at the Björling bust).
Exhibition about Jussi Björling and Denmark opened in the Danish embassy’s windows. Followed by lecture (see below).
May 10 (17:00-19:00). Stockholm, Operan (Opera House), Studion.
“Jussi Björling: ‘Danmarks folkehelt’ (JB: Denmark’s national hero)”. Lecture by Harald Henrysson.
May 12. Eskilstuna.
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Mats Carlsson (ten) & musicians from Scenkonst Sörmland.
May 14 (15:00-16:10). Göteborg (Gothenburg), Operan (Opera House).
Public presentation of the new “Jussi Björling Live” CD set by Göran Gademan, Yrsa Stenius & Harald Henrysson.
May 14 (17:00). Borlänge, Hagaskolan (Haga School).
Vårfestival (Spring Festival), “in memory of Jussi”, with Anna Eklund-Tarantino (sop), Carolina Bengtsdotter Ljung (mezzo), Gwyn Hughes Jones (ten; 2
nd prize winner in the JB Tenor Competition 1994) & Tobias Nilsson (bar), Borganäskören, Borlänge kammarkör & Borlänge orkesterförening; Mario Gropsianu, cond.
May 15 (14:00-15:00). SR P2 (Swedish Radio, Channel 2).
“P2 Dokumentär: Spår efter Jussi: Tom Sandberg om Jussi Björling på skiva (P2 Documentary: Jussi’s Tracks: Tom Sandberg about JB on record)”.
May 17 (19:00). Stockholm, Frälsningsarmén Templet (Salvation Army Temple). “Hyllningskonsert Jussi Björling 100 år (Homage to JB 100 Years)”. With Sångsällskapet DS (DS Singing Society, a male chorus), John Erik Eleby (bar) & Mats Carlsson (ten); Anders Asp (cond.). Eleby also talks about JB and presents the program.
May 18-26. 10 places in Sörmland province.
Jussi Björling memorial concerts by Mats Carlsson (ten) & musicians from Scenkonst Sörmland.
May 24. Europe.
RCA Red Seal 14-CD set ”Jussi Björling: The Complete RCA Album Collection” released by Sony.
May 25 (19:30). Österåkers kyrka (church).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Raymond Björling (ten) & Åkersberga Kammarkör (chamber choir).
June 6. Stockholm, Skansen, Solliden.
Speech by H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf on Swedish National Day includes homage to Jussi Björling (with special reference to “Land du välsignade”, a song he often performed there).
June 9 (14:00). Helsingborg, Stattena.
”Jussi Björling i våra hjärtan (JB in Our Hearts)”. Concert with Glenn Bengtsson (ten) & Holger Petersen (violin). Arrangement by SPF Lyckoträffen.
June 9 (19:00). Helsinki/Helsingfors (Finland), Hanaholmen.
Jussi Björling memorial program with lecture by Yrsa Stenius and song by Mats Carlsson (ten).
June 11. Riga (Latvia).
Jussi Björling memorial concert by Mats Carlsson (ten). JB presentation by Bertil Bengtsson.
June 14 – August 16. Borlänge, Kommunbiblioteket (Public Library).
Jussi Björling memorial exhibition.
June 17 (18:00). Stockholm, Eric Ericsonhallen (f d Skeppsholmskyrkan).
Concert in memory of Jussi Björling’s singing debut at the age of four. Nya Björlingvartetten (The New Björling Quartet), Stockholms Gosskör (Stockholm Boys’ Choir) & Raymond Björling (ten); Karin Skogberg Ankarmo (cond.).
June 18 (15:00). Lövstabruk, Brukskyrkan.
“Jussi 100 år (Jussi 100 Years)”. Opera concert with Daniel Johansson (ten), Con Voce chorus & instrumental ensemble; Conny Holmgren (cond).
June 18 (21:00). Hamar (Norway), Domkirkeruinene (Cathedral Ruin).
International Jussi Björling memorial tenor concert as part of the Kirsten Flagstad Festival. Participants: Henrik Engelsviken & Thomas Ruud (Norway), Markus Pettersson (Sverige), Peter Lodahl (Danmark), Gardar Thor Cortes (Island) & Gong Yinjia (Kina); Helg Evju (piano). Introductory presentation of JB.
June 19 (17:00). Borlänge, Stora Tuna kyrka (church).
Concert in memory of Jussi Björling’s singing debut at the age of four. Nya Björlingkvartetten (The New Björling Quartet), Stockholms Gosskör (Stockholm Boys’ Choir) & Raymond Björling (ten); Karin Skogberg Ankarmo (cond.).
June 20 – August 27. Stockholm, Konserthuset (Concert Hall).
Jussi Björling Memorial Exhibition (arranged in co-operation with Folkets Hus och Parker).
June 22-26. St. Peter (MN, USA), Gustavus Adolphus College.
Conference with Jussi Björling Society-USA:
June 23 (10:00) Welcome by Walter Rudolph (replacing Sue Flaster), Richard Copeman
& Bengt Krantz.
(10:30-15:30) Presentations by Andrew Farkas, Harald Henrysson, Seth Winner
& Dan Shea.
(18:00) Cocktail reception at Anders Björling’s house
June 24 (10:00-16:30) Presentations by Jacob Forsell, Stephen Hastings, Richard
Copeman & Simon Williams.
(19:00) Concert with Ingrid Tobiasson (mezzo), Mats Carlsson (ten), Johnathan White (ten), Bengt Krantz (bar), Nathan Matticks (bar) & David Templeton (bar).
June 25 (10:00-15:00) Presentations by Harald Henrysson, Walter Rudolph & Sherrill
Milnes.
(18:00) Gala dinner
June 30. Ljusterö, Bygdegården (community hall).
Tenor concert to celebrate that the large hall is renamed ”Jussi Björling-salen”. -
(19:00) Concert including Lars Björling (ten) & Stockholms Allmänna Sångförening
(chorus).
June 30 (19:30). Katrineholm, Hanebergs Säteri.
”Jussi i våra hjärtan (Jussi in Our Hearts)”. Memorial concert with Mats Carlsson (ten) & Johan Ullén (piano). JB presentation by Bertil Bengtsson.
July 5 (19:00). Fagersta, Västervåla kyrka (church).
"Med guld i strupen: En hyllning till Jussi Björling 100 år (With a Golden Throat: A celebration of JB 100 Years)”. Concert with Katarina Pilotti (sop), Ulf Wiger (ten) & Magdalena Bina (piano).
July 7. Tylösand, S:t Olofs kapell (St. Olof chapel).
"Till minne av Jussi Björling (In Memory of JB)". Lecture by Bertil Bengtsson.
July 8 (19:30). Sandefjord (Norway), Midtåsen, Arnebergsstuen.
“Jussi Björling i 100 (JB 100 Years)”. Evening with tenors Thomas Ruud & Marius Roth Christiansen, food and wine.
July 9. Höganäs, Krapperups Konserthall (concert hall).
"I Jussi Björlings spår (In JB’s Footsteps)". Memorial concert with Katarina Dalayman (sop), Thomas Sunnegårdh (ten) & Helsingborgs Symfoniorkester (Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra); cond. Stefan Solyom (part of ”Musik i Kulla” festival).
July 10 (17:00). Borlänge, Hagaskolan (Haga School).
“Opera i sommarkväll till Jussi Björlings minne (Opera in a summer evening in memory of JB)” with Sandra Lopez (sop), Stuart Neill (ten), & Stefan Lindgren (piano).
July 11. Voxna kyrka (church).
“Jussifest” concert with Tyler Duncan (bar) & Erika Switzer (piano); Paulina Pfeiffer (sop), Christer Bladin (ten) & Lennart Eng (piano). Followed by buffet and program with Kjerstin Dellert.
July 12. Voxna. ”Jussifest” program continues.
July 15 (19:30). Sandefjord (Norway), Midtåsen, Arnebergsstuen.
“Jussi Björling i 100 (JB 100 Years)”. Evening with tenors Thomas Ruud & Marius Roth Christiansen, food and wine.
July 17 (20:00) Mariefreds kyrka (church).
“Jussi Björling i våra hjärtan (JB in Our Hearts)”. Memorial concert with Ulrika Tenstam (mezzo), Mats Carlsson (ten) & Suzanne Kroon-Hahr (piano).
July 21. Mörbylånga, Kastlösa kyrka (church).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Mats Carlsson (ten) & Bo Wannerfors (piano); Konstantin Shakov (violin) & Natalja Shakova (piano).
July 22 (18:00 - 20:00). Mora,
Vattnäs Konsertlada.
”Sångfest - Hyllning till Jussi Björling (Festival of Song – Celebration of JB)”. Concert with ten tenors: Michael Weinius, Mathias Zachariassen, Anders J Dahlin, Magnus Karlberg, Nils Olsson, Göran Eliasson, Anders Håkansson, Tobias Westman, Vincent Hashmi & Fredrik af Klint. JB presentation by Yrsa Stenius.
July 22 (19:00). Flen, Malstanäs slott (palace) – July 24 (11:00). Motala kyrka (church) – July 25 (19:00). Ödeshög, Heda kyrka (church) – July 27 (20:00). Höganäs, Nyhamnsläge, Krapperups borg (castle) – July 28 (19:00). Värnamo, Folkets Park.
“Jenny Lind möter Jussi Björling (Jenny Lind Meets JB)”. Concerts with Rebecca Rasmussen (sop; recipient of the Jenny Lind Scholarship 2011), Markus Pettersson (ten) & Dmitry Tyapkin (piano).
July 26. Sweden.
“Jussi i våra hjärtan (Jussi in Our Hearts)”, Torbjörn Lindqvist’s documentary film, released in DVD version.
July 28 (19:00). Stockholm, Konserthuset (Concert Hall).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Michael Weinius (ten) & Kungliga Filharmonikerna (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra); cond. Tobias Ringborg.
July 28 (20:00). Malmö Opera.
”Utomhusopera: Sång på piazzan: Hyllning till Jussi Björling (Open-Air Opera: Song in the Piazza: Homage to JB)” with Joachim Bäckström & Nils Olsson (ten) & Thomas Johnsson (piano).
July 29 (19:30). Gagnef, Kyrkan (church).
”Till Jussi Björlings minne (In Memory of JB)”. Concert with Patrik Sandin (bar) & Ann-Sofi Klingberg (piano).
July 29 (19:30). Köpenhamn (Copenhagen, Denmark), Tivoli, Konsertsalen (Concert Hall).
“Tilykke, Jussi (Congrats, Jussi)”. A multimedia presentation of JB, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of his Tivoli debut, by Henrik Engelbrecht.
July 29 (20:00). Anacapri (Italy), Villa San Michele.
“Concerto per Jussi Björling (Concert for JB)” with Mats Carlsson (ten) & Love Derwinger (piano).
July 30 (19:00). Malmö, Södertull.
Jussi Björling memorial open-air concert with tenors Johan Palmquist & Joachim Bäckström and Studio Bel Canto.
July 31 (14:00). Stockholm, Skansen, Seglora kyrka (church) – August 3 (20:00). Uddevalla kyrka (church). - August 4 (20:00). Sotenäs, Bohus-Malmöns kyrka (church).
“Jenny Lind möter Jussi Björling (Jenny Lind Meets JB)”. Concerts with Rebecca Rasmussen (sop; recipient of the Jenny Lind Scholarship 2011), Markus Pettersson (ten) & Dmitry Tyapkin (piano).
August 5 (19:00). Kopparberg, Opera på Skäret.
Jussi Björling memorial concert with tenors Stuart Neill & Kristian Benedikt and sopranos Sandra Lopez & Yana Klein, chorus & orchestra; cond. Marcello Mottadelli & Erik Jakobsson.
August 6 (18:00). Jönköping, Bankeryds kyrka (church) – August 7 (16:00). Skoghall, Arken Hammarö – August 9 (18:30). Leksand, Hildasholm - August 10 (19:00). Borlänge, Missionskyrkan (Mission church).
“Jenny Lind möter Jussi Björling (Jenny Lind Meets JB)”. Concerts with Rebecca Rasmussen (sop; recipient of the Jenny Lind Scholarship 2011), Markus Pettersson (ten) & Dmitry Tyapkin (piano).
Augusti 6 (18:00). Örebro, Glanshammars kyrka (church).
"Med guld i strupen: En hyllning till Jussi Björling 100 år (With a Golden Throat: A celebration of JB 100 Years)”. Concert with Katarina Pilotti (sop), Ulf Wiger (ten) & Kristina Balstedt Tyrenius (piano).
August 6 (19:00). Ljusterö, Kyrkan (Church).
“Jussi Björling Memorial: En kväll ’Till havs’ med bygdens store son (An Evening ‘At sea’ with the Community’s Great Son)”.
August 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 (19:00). Stockholm, Hallwylska museet (Hallwyl Museum)..
”Unga Guldstrupar - En hyllning till Jussi Björling (Young Golden Throats – Homage to JB)”. Concerts with Hedvig Hasselström, Maria Matyazova Milder, Kristofer Lundin & Håkan Ekenäs (singers), Samuel Skönberg (piano) & Rimma Gotskosik (violin).
August 11. Karlskrona, Berget.
“Jussi Björling 100”. Memorial concert with Kent Lundberg (ten) & Sören Ågren (piano).
August 11 (19:00) Gnesta, Elghammar.
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Mats Carlsson (ten) & musicians from Scenkonst Sörmland.
August 11 (20:00). Malmö Opera.
”Utomhusopera: Sång på piazzan: Hyllning till Jussi Björling (Open-Air Opera: Song in the Piazza: Homage to JB)”. Concert with Joachim Bäckström & Nils Olsson (ten) & Thomas Johnsson (piano).
August 13 (14:00). Stockholm, Skansen, Solliden.
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Gwyn Hughes Jones, Joachim Bäckström & Markus Pettersson (ten) & Lennart Eng (piano). JB presentation by Bertil Bengtsson.
August 13 (19:00). Linköpings slott, Inre borggården (Linköping Castle, Courtyard).
“Jussi lever! (Jussi Lives!). Memorial concert with Karl-Magnus Fredriksson (bar) & Östgöta blåsarsymfoniker (Östergötland Symphonic Wind Band).
August 14 (17:00) Strängnäs, Mälsåkers slott (palace).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Mats Carlsson (ten) & musicians from Scenkonst Sörmland.
August 17 (19:00). Ludvika, Ulrika kyrka (church).
"Med guld i strupen: En hyllning till Jussi Björling 100 år (With a Golden Throat: A celebration of JB 100 Years)”. Concert with Katarina Pilotti (sop), Ulf Wiger (ten) & Jan-Erik Sandvik (piano).
August 18-21. Ljusterö / Siarö.
”Ljusterö operafestival till Jussi Björlings minne (Ljusterö Opera Festival in memory of JB)”.
August 18 (15:00), Siarösundet (Siarö Sound).
Boat concert with tenors Lars Björling and Oskar Bly (opening of festival).
August 19 (19:00). Ljusterö, Ramsmora Varv.
La Bohème, concert performance with Victoria Nava, Jacqueline Miura, Jonas Degerfeldt & Matthew Rose.
August 20 (15:00). Ljusterö, Bygdegården (community hall).
”En hyllning till Jussi Björling (A Tribute to JB)”. Presentation by Bertil Bengtsson and film.
August 20 (18:00). Ljusterö, Ramsmora Varv.
La Bohème, concert performance with Victoria Nava, Jacqueline Miura, Jonas Degerfeldt & Matthew Rose.
August 21 (14:00) [preliminarily], Ljusterö, Bygdegården (community hall)
”Erik Odde - Folkets Jussi” (”Erik Odde – The People’s Jussi”). Popular concert with Fredrik de Jounge (ten).
August 18. Trelleborg, Källstorps kyrka (church).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with
Valentin Lundin (ten) &
Andrzej Ferber (piano).
August 18 (18:00). Göteborg, Bältesspännarparken.
“Jenny Lind möter Jussi Björling (Jenny Lind Meets JB)”. Concert with Rebecca Rasmussen (sop; recipient of the Jenny Lind Scholarship 2011), Markus Pettersson (ten) & Dmitry Tyapkin (piano).
August 19 (19:00). Asmundtorp.
”Jussi Björling i våra hjärtan (JB in Our Hearts). Concert with & Glenn Bengtsson (ten), Holger Petersen (violin) & Rune Lindqvist (piano).
August 22, New York (USA), WQXR radio.
“Listening Room: Jussi Björling”.
August 25 (19:00) Älvsjö, Brännkyrka kyrka (church).
"Till minne av Jussi: pärlor av Puccini (In Memory of Jussi: Pearls by Puccini)". Concert with Sara Radulovic (sop), John Haque (ten) & Bo Wannerfors (piano).
August 28 (18:00). Örebro, Betelkyrkan (Betel church).
"Med guld i strupen: En hyllning till Jussi Björling 100 år (With a Golden Throat: A celebration of JB 100 Years)”. Concert with Katarina Pilotti (sop), Ulf Wiger (ten) & Kristina Balstedt Tyrenius (piano).
September 2 (19:00). Stockholm, Operan (Royal Opera House).
“Jussi Björling 100 år (JB 100 Years)”. Gala concert with sopranos Katarina Dalayman, Katarina Leoson, Lena Nordin, Paulina Pfeiffer & Emma Vetter; tenors Charles Castronovo, Lars Cleveman, Yinjia Gong, Klas Hedlund & Jonas Kaufmann; baritones John Erik Eleby & Jesper Taube; Royal Orchestra, cond. Stefan Solyom. Presentation: Birgitta Svendén. (Telecast see below.)
September 3 (20:00). Swedish Television, Channel 2 (SVT2).
Telecast of September 2 gala concert.
September 3-4. Stockholm, Nybrokajen 11, Musikaliska.
Conference arranged by Jussi Björlingsällskapet (The Scandinavian JB Society), in English.
September 3 (9:00 – 18:30): Opening speeches; Presentation by Bertil Bengtsson; “Remembering Jussi”, Panel with Ann-Charlotte & Anders Björling and Nils-Göran Olve (moderator); Presentation by Per-Åke Lindestad; Panel discussion with Mårten Rosenqvist, Sten Levander & Yrsa Stenius; Presentation by Walter B Rudolph; Guided tour of Stockholm.
September 4 (9:00-15:30): Panel discussion including Christer Eklund & Dan Shea; Presentation by Stephen Hastings; Panel discussion with Birgitta Svendén, Ingvar Carlsson, Richard Klingspor & Dan Shea; Niklas Lindblad (moderator); Coach Transport to Borlänge.
September 5. Borlänge.
Jussi Björling conference continues:
(9:00-16:00) Visit to the Jussi Björling Museum; Coach Ride to Gammelgården outdoor
museum; Visit to Stora Tuna Church and Jussi Björling’s grave; Panel discussion
(at Galaxen):with Stephen Hastings, Göran Forsling & Björn Gustavsson; Presentation
(at Galaxen) by Harald Henrysson
;
(18:30) Missionskyrkan (Mission church): Concert with singers Hanna Husáhr (sop;
recipient of Jussi Björlingstipendiet / The Royal Opera Soloists’ Jussi Björling Award /
2011), Anna Eklund Tarantino (sop), Hillevi Martinpelto (sop), Carolina Bengtsdotter
Ljung (mezzo) & Vincent Hashmi (ten), all accompanied by Marcus Moszny (piano), and
instrumentalists Alm Nils Ersson (violin) & Nils Lindberg (piano).
September 6. Lund, Träffpunkt Linero.
”Musik-Café: Vi minns Jussi Björling (Music Cafe: We Remember JB)”.
Memorial concert with Johan Palmqvist (ten) & Siegward Ledel.
September 8 (12:00-14:30) – October 27. Stockholm, Birkagården.
”Guldstrupen - Jussi Björlings liv och karriär (The Golden Throat – JB’s Life and Career)”. course led by Teddy Lundberg.
September 9 (12:00). USA, Vermont Public Radio.
A Passion for Opera: Jussi Bjoerling in Memoriam.
September 10 (16:00). Strömsbruk, Strömshall.
“Jussifest” concert with Ingrid Tobiasson (mezzo), Nils Olsson (ten), Bengt Krantz (bar), Sone Banger (accordeon) & Lennart Eng (piano).
September 11 (10:00). Strömsbruk, f d Missionskyrkan (former Mission church).
“Jussifest” lecture: Yrsa Stenius talks about her book “Tills vingen brister”.
September 11. Varberg.
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Mats Carlsson (ten) & Love Derwinger (piano). JB presentation by Bertil Bengtsson.
September 13. Karlskoga, Solbringen.
"Jussi Björling - världens främste tenor (JB - the World’s Foremost Tenor)". Lecture by Bo E Fransson.
September 15 (19:00). Uppsala, Universitetsaulan (University auditorium).
”Jussi Björling-inspirerad operakväll (Opera Evening Inspired by JB)”. Concert with Emma Vetter (sop), Michael Weinius & Gong Yinjia (ten) and Fredrik Zetterström (bar); Kungliga Akademiska Kapellet; cond. Stefan Karpe.
September 15 – 26. Uddevalla, Folkets Hus.
“Jussi Björling 100 år (JB 100 Years)”. Memorial Exhibition (arranged by Folkets Hus och Parker).
September 15. Vänersborg
"Till minne av Jussi Björling (In Memory of JB)". Lecture by Bertil Bengtsson, arranged by Humanistiska förbundet.
September 17. Östersund, Storsjöteatern.
Jussi Björling memorial concert with tenors Jan Löfgren, Hans Qvarfell & Björn Löfgren.
September 18 (18:00). Helsingborg, Den gode herdens kyrka.
”Jussi Björling i våra hjärtan (JB in Our Hearts). Concert with Glenn Bengtsson (ten) & Rune Lindqvist (piano).
September 18. Karlshamn
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Mats Carlsson (ten) & Johan Ullén (piano). JB presentation by Björn Ranelid.
September 21 (19:30) Kalmar.
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Mats Carlsson (ten) & Love Derwinger (piano). Arrangement by Kammarmusikföreningen.
September 21. Kristianstad, Konserthuset (Concert Hall).
”I Jussi anda (In Jussi’s Spirit)”, memorial concert.
September 23. Hultsfreds kyrka (Hultsfred church).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Mats Carlsson (ten) & Bo Ingelberg (piano).
September 24. Gislaved, Konsertsalen.
”100% Jussi – Till havs med Rickard Söderberg”. Memorial concert with Rickard Söderberg (ten) & Gislaved Symphony Orchestra; cond. Leif Karlsson.
September 26. Sollentuna.
“Jussi Björling 100 år (JB 100 Years)”. Program by Andreas Konvicka. Arrangement by SPF Tunasol.
September 26 (19:30). Zürich (Switzerland), ZKO-Haus.
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Malin Hartelius (sop), Mats Carlsson (ten), Bengt Krantz (bar) & Lennart Eng (piano). Introductory Jussi Björling presentation by Harald Henrysson. Host: Stefan Olmårs.
September 27. Bern (Switzerland), Swedish Ambassador’s residence (for invited guests).
“100 Jahre Jusssi Björling: Ein Abend zu Ehren des grossen schwedischen Tenors (100 Years JB: An evening in honor of the great Swedish tenor)”. Jussi Björling presentation by Harald Henrysson and concert with Mats Carlsson (ten) & Lennart Eng (piano).
September 27. Stockholm, Läkaresällskapet (Physicians’ Society).
“Konst – läkekonst (Art – Medicine)”. Program about Jussi Björling with prof. Mårten Rosenqvist & Jacob Forsell.
September 30. Strängnäs, Pensionärernas Hus (Seniors’ House).
”Jussi Björling”. Presentation by Carl G. Friedner. Arrangement by SPF Strängnäsbygden.
September 30. Winston-Salem, NC (USA), Brendle Recital Hall.
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Raymond Björling (ten), who also talks about his grandfather, & Peter Kairoff (piano).
October 1. Sandviken. – October 2. Bollnäs. – October 5. Sundsvall, Alnö kyrka. - October 6. Kramfors, Babelsberg. – October 7. Härnösand, Kapellbergs folkhögskola. – October 8. Ramsele, Kyrkan. – October 9. Örnsköldsvik, Flygelsalen.
"Till minne av Jussi Björling (In Memory of JB)”. Concerts by Mats Carlsson (ten) & Love Derwinger (piano). With JB presentation by Bertil Bengtsson (October 1-2: Stefan Olmårs).
October 3-14. Lysekil, Folkets Hus.
“Jussi Björling 100 år (JB 100 Years)”. Memorial Exhibition (arranged by Folkets Hus och Parker).
October 4 (14:00). Helsingborg, Ringstorp.
”Jussi Björling i våra hjärtan (JB in Our Hearts)”. Concert with Glenn Bengtsson (ten) & Rune Lindqvist (piano). Arrangement by SPF Ringstorp.
October 7 (19:20). Pretoria (South Africa), Swedish Ambassador’s Residence (for invited guests).
Jussi Björling Memorial Program. Welcome by Ambassador Peter Tejler; Introduction to JB and his music by Gerald Zwirn & Prof. Raymond Parsons.
October 8 (18:00). Lausanne (Switzerland), Église du Prieuré.
“Jussi Björling i våra hjärtan (JB in Our Hearts)”. Memorial concert with Carry Persson (bar) & Petra Pietschmann (sop), arranged by the Swedish Church.
October 9 (17:00). Säter, Coriandergården.
“Jussi Björling 100 år (JB 100 Years)”. Memorial program with the film”Jussi i våra hjärtan” and presentations about JB and Säter by Harald Henrysson and Jon Bodin.
October 13. Lahti(s) (Finland), Sibeliushuset (Sibelius House).
”I Jussi Björlings fotspår (In the Footsteps of JB)”. Concert with Mikael Weinius (ten) & Lahti(s) Symphony Orchestra; cond. Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Introductory presentation of JB’s life by Yrsa Stenius.
October 16 (17:00). Mölndal, Apelgårdens kyrka (church).
“Jussi Björling I våra hjärtan (JB in Our Hearts)”. Memorial concert with Martin Thörnqvist (ten) & Lars Söderlund (piano).
October 20 (19:30). Kristiansund (Norway), Festiviteten.
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Marius Roth Christensen (ten) & Markus Kvits (piano).
October 22 (18:00). Lidköping, Folkets Hus.
”En tribut till Jussi Björling 1911-1960 (A Tribute to JB 1911-60)” Concert with Raymond Björling (ten), who also talks about his tenor family, followed by the film ”Jussi i våra hjärtan” and talk by Harald Henrysson about JB in Lidköping.
October 22. Kristinehamn, Visnums kyrka (church).
Jussi Björling meorial concert with Kent Lundberg (ten) & Sören Ågren (piano).
October 23 (18:00). Rättvik, Kyrkan (church).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Raymond Björling (ten), who also talks about his
tenor family, Rättviks kyrkokör (church choir) & Siljansbygdens orkesterförening (orchestra association); cond. Roland Östblom.
October 26 (12:15). Råå, Allhelgonakyrkan (All Saints’ church).
“Jussi Björling-Baguette-Musik”. Concert with Glenn Bengtsson (ten) & Joachim Olsson (piano).
October 27 – November 7, US tour:
October 27 (20:00). New York, NY, Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church. – October 29 (20:00). Cranston, RI,
Rhode Island Center for the Performing Arts at Park Theatre. – October 31 (19:00). Washington, DC, House of Sweden. – November 2 (19:00). Philadelphia, PA, The Ethical Society of Philadelphia. – November 4 (20:00). Chicago, IL,
North Park University's Anderson Chapel. – November 5 (19:00). Ann Arbor, MI,
Kerrytown Concert House. - November 7 (19:00). San Francisco, CA, Conservatory of Music.
“Made in Sweden: A Centennial Tribute to Jussi Björling”. Concerts with Mats Carlsson (ten) & Love Derwinger (piano); JB presentations by Bertil Bengtsson (Nov. 7 also introduction by Anders Björling).
October 31 – November 13. Hallunda, Folkets Hus.
“Jussi Björling 100 år (JB 100 Years)”. Memorial Exhibition (arranged by Folkets Hus och Parker).
November 10 (19:30). Gentofte (Denmark), Hellerup, Det Italienske Kulturinstitut (The Italian Cultural Institute).
“Hyldestkoncert i anledning af 100 året for den svenske verdenstenor Jussi Björling Björling (Centenary concert homage to the world-famous Swedish tenor JB)”. Nils Olsson, Hans Christian Hansen (ten) & Jacob Beck (piano & presentation).
November 12 (18:00). Mariehamn (Åland, Finland), Alandica.
”Till havs (Towards the Sea)”. JB memorial concert with Mikael Fagerholm (ten) & Markus Lehtinen (piano).
November 13 (14:00). Solna, Centrumbiblioteket, Kylbergsrummet.
“WienerCafé – Jussi Björling”. An afternoon about JB. Host: Herta Fischer.
November 15 (19:00). Skövde, Kulturhuset, Odeon.
”Jussi Björling i Amerika med pappa David och bröder (JB in America with Father David and Brothers)”. Lecture by Harald Henrysson (arrangement by Svenska Humanistiska Förbundet).
November 18 (19:00). Borlänge, Stora Tuna kyrka (church).
Jussi Björling memorial gala concert with Katarina Dalayman (sopr), Antonello Palombi (ten) & Fredrik Zetterström (bar), the Dalarna Sinfonietta & Gävle Symphony Orchestra,
cond. Tobias Ringborg. (Broadcast Dec. 30, see below.)
November 21.
Complete list of Jussi Björling’s recordings published on the Jussi Björling Museum’s website (
http://www.borlange.se/templates/BlgPage____65925.aspx).
November 21 (opening at 16:00) – December 4. Borlänge, Galaxen.
“Jussi Björling 100 år (JB 100 Years)”. Memorial Exhibition (arranged by Folkets Hus och Parker).
November 24 (12:00). Stockholm, Kronprinsesse Märthas kirke (Crown Princess Märtha’s church = Norwegian church).
“Jussi Björling – min farfar (JB - My Grandfather)”. Memorial concert with Raymond Björling (ten), who also talks about JB, & Ronney Magnusson (piano).
November 24 (19:00). Stockholm, Kungl. Slottet (Royal Palace), Rikssalen.
”Höstkonsert till Jussi Björlings 100-års Jubileum (Autumn Concert to JB’s 100th Anniversary)” with Anna Eklund-Tarantino (sop), Paula Hoffman (mezzo), Mathias Zachariassen (ten), Kosma Ranuer (bar) & Inese Klotina (piano).
November 28. Stockholm, Musikaliska (Nybrokajen 11).
”Kungl. Musikaliska Akademiens årshögtid (Royal Academy of Music annual meeting)”. Includes speech in memory of Jussi Björling by Yrsa Stenius.
November 29. Ljusdal. - November 30. Hofors.
Jussi Björling memorial concerts with Mats Carlsson (ten) & Love Derwinger (piano).
November 30 (12:00). Huddinge, Klockargården.
"Med guld i strupen: En hyllning till Jussi Björling 100 år (With a Golden Throat: A celebration of JB 100 Years)”. Lunch concert with Katarina Pilotti (sop), Ulf Wiger (ten) & Elisabet Brander (piano).
November 30 (14:00). Helsingborg, Folkets Hus, A-salen.
”Kultur med kaffe - Jussi Björling 100 år (Culture with Coffee – JB 100 Years)”
November 30. Sweden.
CD ”Jussi” with notes by Björn Ranelid released.
December 11 (17:00). Grängesberg, Cassels konserthus (Cassel’s Concert Hall).
”Julkonsert (Christmas concert)”, in memory of JB. with Raymond Björling (ten), Fredagskören, Grängesbergs orkesterförening (orchestra association); cond. Erik Nordström.
December 14 (19:00). Ängelholm, Stadsbiblioteket (Municipal library).
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Mats Carlsson (ten) & Love Derwinger (piano).
December 26 (14:55; repeat January 1, 15:45). Finska YLE (Finnish Television).
”Sagan om Jussi (The Story of Jussi)”. A film by Johan von Sydow, including interviews with Jussi’s children and colleagues.
December 30 (19:30). Swedish Radio P2.
Broadcast of the Nov. 18 Jussi Björling memorial gala concert at Stora Tuna Church.
2012
January. Sweden.
Naxos’ 11-CD box ”Jussi Björling Collection” (Swedish version) released.
January 16-29. Örnsköldsvik, Gnistan.
“Jussi Björling 100 år (JB 100 Years)”. Memorial Exhibition (arranged by Folkets Hus och Parker).
January 24. Danderyd, Stocksund.
Jacob Forsell presents his book "Jussi: sången, människan, bilderna”.
January 27 (19:30). Linz (Austria), Landestheater
”Zum 100. Geburtstag des ’Tenors mit der Silberstimme’ (To the 100th Birthday of the ‘Tenor with the Silver Voice’)”. Björling evening with lecture by Rudolf Wallner and song by Pedro Velázquez Diaz (ten).
February 6-19. Östersund, OSD/ Folkets Hus.
“Jussi Björling 100 år (JB 100 Years)”. Memorial Exhibition (arranged by Folkets Hus och Parker).
February 17. Stockholm, Axelsberg.
Jacob Forsell presents his book "Jussi: sången, människan, bilderna”. Arrangement by SPF Mälarhöjden-Hägersten.
February 27 – March 18. Timrå, Söråkers Folkets Hus.
“Jussi Björling 100 år (JB 100 Years)”. Memorial Exhibition (arranged by Folkets Hus och Parker).
March 6. Värmdö.
Jacob Forsell presents his book "Jussi: sången, människan, bilderna”. Arrangement by SPF Värmdöringen.
March 11. Ronneby.
Jussi Björling memorial concert with Mats Carlsson (ten) & Love Derwinger (piano). JB presentation by Bertil Bengtsson.
May 30. USA.
Stephen Hastings’ book “The Björling Sound” published (University of Rochester Press).
This list was compiled by Harald Henrysson (with special thanks to Hans Thunström). I will be happy for additions or corrections: harald.henrysson@tele2.se.