Jussi

by Andrew Farkas

Overview

(Amadeus). This is the first English-language biography of the beloved Swedish tenor, incorporating recollections by his widow, information from the family archives, and material from operatic archives the world over. A chronology of his performances is also included.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781574670103
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	03/01/2003
Series:	Amadeus , #7
Pages:	520
Product dimensions:	6.34(w) x 8.98(h) x 1.49(d)
Lexile:	1160L (what's this?)

About the Author

Anna-Lisa Björling is the co-author of Jussi. She concertized extensively with her husband in Scandinavia and the United States, and has also appeared as a soloist.

Editorial Reviews

A major English-language biography of Jussi Bjrling (1912-1960), the Swede who from the late 1930s to his untimely death was the premier lyric tenor of his time, the logical successor to Enrico Caruso and Beniamino Gigli, has been long overdue. The fact that it has finally been produced by Bjrling's widow, who in later years frequently sang with him, might be suspect; but she has, as it turns out, been exceptionally frank about Bjrling's weakness for alcohol, which seems to have been his only dark side. He was a professional from the age of five, touring the States with his brothers and father as part of a family choral act, and soon developed, at the Swedish Royal Opera, into a singer who attracted international attention with the lyric purity of his voice, his apparently effortless virtuosity and his adaptability: he was equally at home in opera (where he favored the Italian lyric roles) and on the recital stage, where he commanded a large repertoire including Sibelius and lesser-known Scandinavians. His professional colleagues, many of whom speak of him here, were unanimous in their admiration of his voice (if not always of his acting), but a 1960 recording contretemps with Georg Solti, at a time when Bjrling's heart was showing alarming weakness, seems to have hastened his death. His story, of inspired professionalism in what now seems a golden age of extraordinary singers, is a salutary one for the present exhibitionist, star-obsessed, fickle time. (A discography is to be published separately.) Photos. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Amidst the recent hype about "The Three Tenors," many opera lovers remain convinced that Jussi Bjrling, "the Swedish Caruso," surpassed them all. Although he died in 1960 at the age of 49, his recording career spanned 30 years, and his performing career was even longer. His wife, an accomplished singer, and Andrew Farkas (with Enrico Caruso Jr., Enrico Caruso: My Father and My Family, LJ 7/90) have collaborated to produce this long-overdue English-language biography. The early years-touring with his father and brothers, his first adult professional engagements, and his courtship of Anna-Lisa-are particularly fascinating. The remarkable international career that followed is well documented, with excerpts from reviews, letters from the singer to his family, and reminiscenses by his many famous colleagues. The authors have been honest about the alcoholism and sometimes erratic behavior that troubled Bjrling's personal and professional life. Highly recommended.-Kate McCaffrey, Onondaga Cty P.L., Syracuse, N.Y.

Library Journal

Tenor Jussi Bj<:o>rling (1911-1960) was widely acclaimed for his exceptional voice, flawless technique, and impeccable musical taste, among other attributes. This biography, written with his widow and stage companion, Lisa Bj<:o>rling, incorporates information from the family archives, documentation held by the Jussi Bj<:o>rling Museum in Sweden, and material from worldwide operatic, as well as extensive interviews with friends and colleagues. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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