Bjorling had one of the most beautiful and pure voices ever heard! He demonstrates it clearly here and it is a pleasure to hear. Incredibly beautiful!
Överjordisk skönhet i rösten, fulländad teknik. Det är omöjligt att hålla tårarna tillbaka. Tack Jussi för gåvan till mänskligheten. Dina underbara inspelningar måste alltid få ljuda över land och hav!
These are Great Operatic singers but did you here Zurab Sotkilava's tenor on his Russian arias?I have also been a fan of Jussi since I was introduced to his voice almost 60 yrs. ago..
@CurzonRoad Great recording of this oft-performed piece by the incomparable Bjorling! Also worthwhile are the versions of Gigli, Pons, and the two by....Galli-Curci. Thanks for sharing, Doug, and thanks to 302MarkVII for the post.
@meltzerboy I see you've decided to make an exception—many exceptions— to your dislike of opera in translation! I still think, however, that the best version of this is Smirnov's.
Bjœrling sounds too wide-awake and clear-lunged for this reverie.
@AulicExclusiva Perhaps I'm evolving, or devolving, but will always make exceptions for singers like Gigli and Galli-Curci, and besides, although this piece does come from opera, I've come to think of it as sui generis, as well as the fact I don't understand Russian. You may be right about Bjorling's clarity of tone here, but he's another singer I can't resist. The Smirnov is indeed wonderful. (I'll get to your other shares soon, and thank you for them.)
I never get into tenor preference wars. We are listening to world class artists who bring their talents and their possibly hard preparation to any piece.
I like Richard Crooks' rendition, too.
Let's just sit back and enjoy -- and muse on what a marvelous invention and gift YouTube is.
Comparing Jussi and Mario is unfair--Jussi is the nightengale, Mario is the hawk---they BOTH have beautiful voices--Jussi, atleast here, is measured and beautiful of tone, Mario's is all passion--well, he's Italian, so that may explain it. Folks, enjoy BOTH immortal singers, ok. Don't compare--they are both unique.
FabDN41 is an idiot. They just don't make tenors...or sporanos like they used to. Has there been anyone even close to Caruso and Bjorling during the past few decades? Sorry, but AFAIK, none of the recent tenors had the level of talent that the abovementioned persons did.
He was born in France of Sicilian parents. I don't know the citizenship laws in France. Most countries are not like the US where citizenship is automatically conferred. Found an article you might like. Includes the La Scala incident. It's from 2007 and entitled Roberto Alagna's Rocky Road to the Top. I tried to paste the link here, but YouTube won't let me do it. So give a Google.
This man was born to sing and nobody ,within his range ,can match him for purity of tone or interpretation. In an ideal world, people such as this would live forever.
The presentation of this aria embodies the haunting beauty and perfection that only Bjorling could produce. Listening to Bjorling, ALWAYS makes me a better singer!
The beauty of a Voice is a finely tuned instrument...is the Violin better that the flute ... it is just as hard to compare JB with Lanza ... I think Lanza one of the greatest ever ..yet I like JB version of Nessum Dorma best.... almost all the Lanza recordings are very fine Movie quality... they we get to see him in perfect synch...and perform ...we have to imagine this with JB mostly or have inferior recording...
Just read some of this, Hysterical. other than for the purposes of english alliteration could Bjorling be considered boring. Some may not like that "vibrato" aspect to some of his output but he was an operaticmeister, no ifs no buts
Lanza was a "belter"nothing wrong per se,but choking on chickens speaks volumes. Oh, and didn't he sync-duB the singing waistcoat in The Student Prince? Toodle-pip pip
Bjorling boring? Aw, c'mon. If you mean he can sound relaxed and unforced I'll go for that. Ever hear his Cujus Animus? His Turridu? And in Manon Lescault he seems to be saying, "I'm just gonna sweep everyone else off the stage tonight." Lanza was personal exciting. Del Monaco, too. but don't confuse Lanza's vocal strain with excitement. And as for breath control and legato - sorry, neither of the aforementioned are even in Bjorling's league.
Le suédois altère beaucoup la ligne vocale de cet air splendide.Reste le charme de Björling.Dommage,je pense qu'il l'aurait mieux chanté en russe.Quelqu'un a t'il celà?
@abracadabranque It was usual to do this in many European countries, in fact you HAD to sing in your own countrys language always on the national scenes. So it's no use blaming Bjoerling, of course it had been better if he had sung in russian, but there, the Russian themselves sang Rigoletto in Russian!
@zgopify Je sais tout celà.C'était la façon de populariser l'oeuvre.Il n'empêche que,sauf dans de rares cas,celà gache la musicalité.C'est pourquoi le librettiste est très important dans l'écriture d'un opéra.La parole doit être en harmonie avec la musique.
I meant of course that they were impressed by Bjoerling! And the reason to why every female singer thought she excelled herself in his company is no mystery any more. Soderstrom solved that riddle many years ago, but noone believed her then. Now psychologists around the world know that she was absolutely right.
Never mind what other singers said about Lanza to the press. As soon as they stepped on US territory they got the question, what should they say? "No we don't like your Holloywood hero". Gedda was supposed to hail Lanza, he doesn't mention him in his autobiography, as for Tebaldi and especially Albanese (and Kirsten, Resnik, de los Angeles, Sayou, Milanov and many others) they told of how they were flabbergasted by his voice, but ALL loved him, because they sang better than ever with him.
ETNALLEB......I have to agree. This voice of Bjorling is boring after a few lines, at least in this recording. On the other hand Lanza has much more depth and emotion in this same song even though the background voices are unnecessary clutter. His voice puts color in the air. Lanza was an exceptional talent that is very rare. I only first heard him a short time after his death. I was stunned by that amazing voice.
Yes early Di Stefano was one of the greatest Italian tenors ever in his prime. Pavs favorite. I heard Di Stefano sing in house in 59 tosca with tebaldi at la scala.with my parents. I was just 19 years old and he was still in good voice but by then Tebaldi was all the rage and she brought the house down with a terrific ovation.
I truly pity all of u that don´t understand Swedish. You can´t hear Jussi hit not just every tone but also every letter in the sweetspot, combined with a tender sadness in his voice. This is almost to good to be true!
The best way to judge a voice is to hear it in house live of course and I heard JB in 1958 sing the duke. I did not hear Lanza ever or Gigli for that matter but the Lanza version of this seems to have the high power hollywood treatment that with his great natural voice was not necessary. This is so well sung I agree it has a calming effect.
For me Gigli and Bjorling had two of the most beautiful lyric tenors of all time, very different, Gigli sweet as sugar and emotional, Jussi had a terrific top and low notes to match, not an Italian sound really but as fine an artistic Italian tenor as any Italian and he sang lieder just as well, try his Jeannie with the light brown hair also his English was Excellent.
Lossy, but still, translation of the swedish text to english: In southern seas, a hideout by a cliff there rests the pearl you saw within your dream on the Indian shore in wonderland Deep among the playful waves mirroring the red sky over a silent sea rises the Phoenix hear the songs tintinnabulate [or perhaps plain "ring out"] yearning to reconcile up on white wings forcing high into space listen to the sweet song soon the day is gone And then repeat the first four rows.
Ironically a swedish band that was called Europe wher extremely popular especially in Russia and the rest of Europe during the eighties. If you look to our very small population we have produced a lot of well known music and musicians. Oh well never mind. Peace out Sir....
If I had known you were going to kick your toys up in the air over this I wouldn't have raised the subject.
I wouldn't call Roxette or Ace of Base world class musicians - no-one really gives a damn about them, but again, that is no reason to put Sweden down - and by the way, I wasn't. I actually quite like the place.
I don't think that Nicolai Gedda is that good, but yes, Birgit Nilsson is superb, though I listen more to male opera than female.
I just tried to make it clear for you that Sweden have been a dominant force when it comes to music-industry in the past. At least considering the size of the population. What is world-class for you might not be it my ears. What we can see though is how certain musicians have made it big out there. And therefor I emphezised that we have had more than ABBA succeding. I mentioned a numerous number of bands and producers.
This is the most beautiful version of the song of India even though its not in Russian. It sounds much better than the Russian version even though the Russian lyrics are superior in their poetry and the swedish ones are relatively simplistic in the imagery. Perhaps it has to do with Swedish being a bit sweeter.
I truly pity all of u that don´t understand Swedish. You can´t hear Jussi hit not just every tone but also every letter in the sweetspot, combined with a tender sadness in his voice. This is almost too good to be true!
I've always been of the opinion, Barry, that if someone, anyone, thinks that even their dear old dad had the most beautiful moving voice they had ever heard, - then they are absolutely right. It's not even up for negotiation. Because music, & especially singing, is not an intellectual thing, it's an emotional identification with memories. Of places, events, & people.. My late dad couldn't really sing, but the memory of him singing around the house in my childhood felt like Caruso to me..
I have a question. When I heard the English version of Song of India by Mario Lanza, while I loved hearing him sing it, I was upset by the words. They seemed to ytivialize India and it's culture (often happened in Broadway musicals of that era when people seemed to want only lightness and gaeity). I was listening to a version called "Song of the Indian guest", and the translation to English was very different. It talked about the jewels of India. What is the "real" translation? Anyone know?
...Germanophile and has been much criticized for it); in the 1950s, Callas' opinion was widely shared. Later in life, after she retired, it seems that she learned German in order to study Wagner's operas in the original language; but that was in the 70s, when the wind had turned. Fashion changes, that's all, and we should not condemn what was considered normal only 50 years ago, at a time when surtitles did not exist.
Once, Maria Callas had an argument with Pope Pius XII (of all people) about this very issue. The Pope told her that he had listened to a broadcast of Parsifal in which she sang Kundry in Italian; he praised her performance but said she should have sung it in German instead. She answered that Wagner wanted his operas to be intelligible to the audience and that translations should be used in non-German speaking countries. The Pope's position was unusual at the time (he was a staunch...
I don't agree that russian is a very good 'singing' language, it has too little vocals and legato, like german. But thats personal, if it's written in russian it should be sung in that language. But it used to be a tradition in Jussis time, every opera i the Stockholm opera house were sung in swedish for example, all the big Wagner operas, ALL of them!
Now it's different, thank god. Of course one shouldn't translate them. I agree that in all translations, something is lost.
I never said Swedish wasn't a beautiful language. Of course I don't believe it has the melodic tone of Russian, but that's my opinion.
Think about it. If you spent months if not years writing an opera in your language, would you not be annoyed if someone translated it, bearing in mind what is lost in ANY translation?
Of course Jussi can make ANY song sound superb. But if it aint broke, don't fix it.
Firstly, I simply stated that Russian sounds better, in my opinion. Secondly, had I written 'Song of India' I would not like it sung in anything other than it's original lingo. Thirdly, I didn't criticize Sweden or its language at all.
And for your information, Every country has world-class musicians, though the only other one I can think of from Sweden would be ABBA. Gee, thanks!
Gee thanks! Maybe it is only russians who aren´t aware of swedish music exports. Russian has alot of consonants doesn´t it. Sounds very rough. It sounds as if we are singing when we speak swedish. It´s sooooo lovely.
Yeah I know it was written originally in russian. Take it easy man. Geeeees!!!!!
By the way we have produced more than Abba that is well known you idiot. I don´t want to waste my time writing all of them down.
Okey I saw you´re from theU.S. Doesn´t change a thing though....What I might thing is world-class musicians might not be that according to you. Roxette is another well-known band...f.ex. Birgit Nilsson, might ring a bell since you are into opera maybe?!!! Gedda or Gädda have russian ancestry but is born and raised in Sweden. There you have another one. Duh!
Det var faktiskt första gången jag hörde denna sång..vacker..Det finns alltid något att upptäcka..Men det var inte den bästa kvalitén..då menar jag inte Jussis röst.
He has a beautiful voice, but I think I enjoyed Mario Lanza's version more. As a person not educated in opera, I'm sure this version was more technically superior, but I preferred the variety of tone and pitch from ML. Sounded more "Human" to me.
I'd like to know why this version sounds better than the one I have from the EMI set? I am sure it's the same recording of 1936. Clearly there's the added reverberation here, but the sound is also more open in general.
Three years after Korsakov died , Bjorling was born....the perfect conduit for this materly piece. How Korsakov would have been enraptured to absorb Jussi's rendition of this oiece
The following comment by Robert Levine says it best: "the tear in his voice communicates instantly; it connotes tenderness, sweetness and sincerity. And the remarkable 'ping' of his easy upper register is thrilling- even heroic. He means business. His singing was as natural as speech there is such joy in his singing that it becomes and end in itself." cont...
"Many years ago I sat beside a very old woman at the Metropolitan Opera and she reminisced about singers long gone. She spoke kindly of Gigli, di Stefano, Tucker, martinelli, and her critical acumen was to be admired. But when I asked her about Bjorling, she could barely speak: 'Every note of his went straight to my heart,' she said through barely choked-back tears. 'God must have wanted to listen to him alone in heaven.'"
how you can compare Lanza with Bjorling...like to say that a simple Fiat can be like a Ferrari...live the Glory in peace and compare Bjorling with TRUE opera singers like Caruso...byeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Hardly anybody could beat Bjørling in perfected beauty of voice, that's for sure. But this is a non-interpretation, sung with absolutely no feeling or inflection or the elegiac rapture that some tenors have given to this piece. After a few seconds of admiring the voice, boredom sets in.
you make a good point there,i have always been mesmerize by the beauty of the voice and failed to realize that there were some comments that he had that scandinavian style that could be cold at times,but my God,what a talent! ps i had a chance to see him as a teenager in L.A and missed out.
I agree that in the case of Bjorling, the sheer beauty of voice is paramount and the interpretation is secondary. But the technique, phrasing, and musicianship are also admirable, and somehow I've never gotten bored listening to his pure legato sound and distinctive timbre.
Another wonderful recording by Jussi Bjorling. I remember when I was about 17. I had a LP of arias by Mario Lanza that I thought were great, until I bought an LP or Jussi Bjorling singing the same arias. The difference was tremendous. I ended up putting the LP of Mario Lanza away.
Well, I know i will get the all kinds of heat from all you J.B fans and dont get me wrong i loved J.B to 1 of the greatest Tenors of all time but just have an open mind and listen to Mario Lanza sing this song in English, his diction and emotional phrasing are just amazing. Mario said that Jussi Bjorling was really the only Tenor he really respected,and coming from the Greatest ALL-AROUND TENOR himself,that really was quite a compliment.
I'm fluent in Swedish ,English and yes, Italian. Lanza's English phrasing in this particular piece isn't bad, but Björling's Swedish is simply divine. And if you are looking for the greatest all-around tenor of all times, shouldn't you be looking among the ones who actually appeared on the stage of a major operahouse, which Lanza, talented as he might have been, never did ?
Luonnotar; Lanza did appear on the Operatic Stage at the beginning of his career but it was soon very clear that this One of a Kind Tenor could not be confinded to just the Opera. That the whole world should have access to his beautiful voice. Lanza gave plenty of performances on the Concert Stage world wide. By all round tenor i meant that he could sing ANY genre of music from classical to pop better than any one else and most people agree he was unrivaled in that aspect of music.
Etnalleb U must B joking, it is quite obvious that U propagandize all things Lanza. He was a beloved pop artist & he should B admired 4 what he was, a Pop Singer I will never understand why Lanza fans continually try 2 place him as the greatest opera tenor when the man never even had an opera career. Operatic singing is more than so-called "emotions" besides talent it takes skill & technique both of which Lanza was always criticized for not having. Don't take my word 4 it do some research.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
MarkVII. AulicExclusiva said it best about JB. after a few seconds of admiring JB's voice boredom sets in. I know of no-one who was ever bored with Lanza's voice. As for doing research the 3 Greatest Diva's of all time Tebaldi,Callas and Albanese all said that Lanza's voice was equal or in Albanese's case better than Caruso. All 3 sang with Bjorling so i will take their opinions over yours. Maybe it is you who should do some research.
Interestingly enough Lanza is not mentioned once in Callas' entire autobiography. You'll have to do better than to just steal other peoples comments to make a point. Aulics comment is well taken and really is more a matter of opinion as many of these things are, but postulating Lanza as the best is to say the least laughable.
@302MarkVII As all 3 ladies were born after Caruso died, how could they compare any tenor to EC? I just listened to ML's rendition of this & it is w/his usual "bull in a china shop technique". I'm a ML fan, he was the greatest of the pop/movie tenors & left us some lovely recordings which show that his natural gift would have allowed him to have been a great tenor had he also been given the intellect/work ethic. His lack of technique would not have allowed him to complete most operas.
Well,Lanza had great potential but his technique was very flawed,and his singing was too melodramatic,unstylistic and sloppy.His timbre didn't have the melancholic quality of Bjorling.
how many seconds of admiration do you get before boredom strikes? one can always keep a Lanza recording within reach to avoid death before Jussi Boredom strikes you.... but, aside from The Student Prince, a work of unalloyed schmaltz,I find Lanza gives me a cross between diabetes and tinnitus. chacun a son goo.
@65attila scroll down to Iredmon and AulciExclusiva they have the same almost word for word comments as myself as do millions of others . At the time Jussi Bjorling , Di Stefano, Del Monaco were all in their prime during the 50's there was 1 Tenor Mario Lanza that was Internationally acclaimed as the Greatest Singer in the World by the general public NOT just the Opera world. The few Opera purists here that pan Mario are nothing more than brainless imbeciles r u one as well?
@Etnalleb - I really HOPE you're kidding, about Bjorling and Song of India. The extraordinary timbre, tone and delivery of Jussi B are WELL-represented, here, in this aria. ... Lanza was OK, in his way .. but NEVER the match of Bjorling, Schipa, Caruso and others, in their prime.
@Etnalleb Admit it you have absolutely no interest in Bjorling, you came to this site to promote Lanza. How unfortunate. Many of us are old enough to remember him as a young man with great promise, and then later as someone who could never live up to that promise. Whenever I go to a record store or a library record section with Lanza listed in the classical section I get upset because I think his records belong in the Pop record category. Bjorling or Corelli yes; Lanza no!!!
@madisonelectronic You have been reported for profane , and extremely offensive language, and a vile personal attack which is totally unacceptable on this site, expect a suspension of your account.
I have just stumbled over Jussi by accident. Listening to him sing is a truly emotional experience. How can such a voice come from the throat of a mere mortal
What a treat you're in for then, as you listen to more of his recordings. Bjorling is my favorite tenor. The voice was a unique mix of power, tone and delicacy.
Argh, don't get my wrong this is amazing, but when I learned this song in voice, I learned the French version "Chanson Indoue" and I've yet to find a French version of this song, nor heard a girl sing it. Hmm, it's pretty un an octave too. Had anyone heard it in French?
Plenty of gals have recorded it in French. Off the top of my head: Amelita Galli-Curci, Alma Gluck, Mady Mesple, Rene Doria, Maria Callas, Lily Pons, Fanny Heldy.. and probably a number of others I can't remember or haven't heard.
totally. I feel like an ass in the summer when I am singing with the windows and people give weird looks...they just dont understand the beauty of his voice or the music.
I first heard this song years ago in a far away land, I looked high and low to find it, for I was never sure of the name of the Composer... Just happend to come across it here and so glad to have found it, how enchanting it can be....
Yes it is. I love that picture. The informal setting shows a more human side to Bjorling (the empty glasses, the background, their expressions) you almost can smell the liquor, tobacco smoke, and food.
I think a women's voice would be more suited for this song. but he is super too. I've never heard any singers sing this song. Do you know any female singers who have sung this?
On YouTube the only woman I have heard sing this is is Ofelia Nieto. It's an old recording, but good. Oddly enough many recordings of this are done by female singers though the aria is actually meant for a tenor. Jussi and Lanza are my favs for this one, though Lanza's version has modified lyrics.
The song title in Swedish is "I söderns hav", but this song is not at all as famous as "O helga natt", and I couldn't find the lyrics for it on google. "O helga natt" is very well-known and always performed around xmas times in churches in Sweden, but I've never heard "I söderns hav" before. I started trying to type down what I heard him singing, but gave up after a while, cause I coulnd't quite catch everything unfortunately.
I found the French translation in a book published by G. Schirmer called "56 Songs You Like to Sing" originally from 1936. I did not have time to get the libretto from"Sadko" from the library, but will try to get it and post a more correct translation from the Russian, but I think the French is pretty close to the origianl Russian.
INNUMERABLE ARE THE PEARLS IN THE MIDDAY SEA.. OF MIRACULOUS FAROFF INDIA.
THERE IS IN THE WARM SEA A MARVELLOUS RUBY STONE: ON THAT STONE IS A PHOENIX, A BIRD WITH THE FACE OF A MAIDEN. HEAVENLY ARE ALL IT'S SONGS, SWEETLY IN SINGS, IT UNFURLS IT'S WINGS, COVERS THE SEA.
Wow they sure are different from the lyrics in english, at least the ones I found through google. It is so interesting to actually know what is being sung...sort of gives the aria a different feel. Thank you for the information.
The picture where Jussi is helping blow out birthday candles is at Lauritz Melchior's birthday some time in the late thirties early forties. Anna Lisa is there too.
Bjorling had one of the most beautiful and pure voices ever heard! He demonstrates it clearly here and it is a pleasure to hear. Incredibly beautiful!
Amusiclover1954 5 months ago 2
This is my favorite version
mefarre 6 months ago
hey wat language is this? though I dont understand a bit, i love to listen while sleeping.. so much harmony and peace!!
BigBang2Chaos 8 months ago
@BigBang2Chaos It is Swedish.
damildlyshreddah 8 months ago
Överjordisk skönhet i rösten, fulländad teknik. Det är omöjligt att hålla tårarna tillbaka. Tack Jussi för gåvan till mänskligheten. Dina underbara inspelningar måste alltid få ljuda över land och hav!
Thesnuttan52 9 months ago
These are Great Operatic singers but did you here Zurab Sotkilava's tenor on his Russian arias?I have also been a fan of Jussi since I was introduced to his voice almost 60 yrs. ago..
airmont1 10 months ago
Jussi is wonderful here and do not forget Gigli whose tone would melt stone.
65attila 10 months ago
Very well-matched choice to show what Bjorling does best. Many thanks!
sospello 10 months ago
TY Doug for sharing and 302MarkVII for posting.
paulostroff99 10 months ago
Very Beautiful... as wonderful in it's way as Alma Gluck's two versions. Thank you!
CurzonRoad 10 months ago
@CurzonRoad Great recording of this oft-performed piece by the incomparable Bjorling! Also worthwhile are the versions of Gigli, Pons, and the two by....Galli-Curci. Thanks for sharing, Doug, and thanks to 302MarkVII for the post.
meltzerboy 10 months ago
@meltzerboy I see you've decided to make an exception—many exceptions— to your dislike of opera in translation! I still think, however, that the best version of this is Smirnov's.
Bjœrling sounds too wide-awake and clear-lunged for this reverie.
AulicExclusiva 10 months ago
@AulicExclusiva Perhaps I'm evolving, or devolving, but will always make exceptions for singers like Gigli and Galli-Curci, and besides, although this piece does come from opera, I've come to think of it as sui generis, as well as the fact I don't understand Russian. You may be right about Bjorling's clarity of tone here, but he's another singer I can't resist. The Smirnov is indeed wonderful. (I'll get to your other shares soon, and thank you for them.)
meltzerboy 10 months ago
I never get into tenor preference wars. We are listening to world class artists who bring their talents and their possibly hard preparation to any piece.
I like Richard Crooks' rendition, too.
Let's just sit back and enjoy -- and muse on what a marvelous invention and gift YouTube is.
lskarin 11 months ago
@lskarin A very sensible view, and a most welcome and refreshing change from the bluster of bigots.
rupepill 10 months ago
Irrigardless of who your favorites are . This song is done beautifully BY bjorling.Enjoy
sugarbist 1 year ago
Beautiful, but for this specific aria listen also to another great Swedish great Nicolai Gedda.
chaiter1 1 year ago 2
Like a beautiful butterfly floating and landing on each note perfectly, what an artist ! How I wish I could have heard him live.
geofflages 1 year ago
Comparing Jussi and Mario is unfair--Jussi is the nightengale, Mario is the hawk---they BOTH have beautiful voices--Jussi, atleast here, is measured and beautiful of tone, Mario's is all passion--well, he's Italian, so that may explain it. Folks, enjoy BOTH immortal singers, ok. Don't compare--they are both unique.
windstorm1000 1 year ago
25 years old and already a singing GOD. Other favorite renditions of this beautiful aria include Gedda's and Lemeshev's.
GermanOperaSinger 1 year ago 4
@GermanOperaSinger
Have you heard Miguel Fleta's interpretation? It's so beautiful
SageFlores 1 month ago
Spellbounding beautiful supperb...
mysong42 1 year ago
Да чего то не хватает,но звук свободный и проффесиональный
MrRossVit 1 year ago
FabDN41 is an idiot. They just don't make tenors...or sporanos like they used to. Has there been anyone even close to Caruso and Bjorling during the past few decades? Sorry, but AFAIK, none of the recent tenors had the level of talent that the abovementioned persons did.
alternatehistories 1 year ago
@alternatehistories
Roberto Alagna?
lskarin 11 months ago
@lskarin Oh, you mean the guy who got "booed" off of the stage at La Scala?
alternatehistories 11 months ago
@alternatehistories
Might there be a reason other than his performance? Like becoming a Frenchman?
lskarin 11 months ago
@lskarin LoL...I guess it depends on what nationality he was beforehand...was it a step up or a step down?
alternatehistories 11 months ago
@alternatehistories
He was born in France of Sicilian parents. I don't know the citizenship laws in France. Most countries are not like the US where citizenship is automatically conferred. Found an article you might like. Includes the La Scala incident. It's from 2007 and entitled Roberto Alagna's Rocky Road to the Top. I tried to paste the link here, but YouTube won't let me do it. So give a Google.
Cheers.
lskarin 11 months ago
This man was born to sing and nobody ,within his range ,can match him for purity of tone or interpretation. In an ideal world, people such as this would live forever.
MartinPadderborn 1 year ago
Что-то быстро как-то и обрывисто
oncelostmain 1 year ago
Это "Ария индийского гостя" из оперы "Садко" Римского-Корсакова.
pondeflouers 1 year ago
The presentation of this aria embodies the haunting beauty and perfection that only Bjorling could produce. Listening to Bjorling, ALWAYS makes me a better singer!
DonONealLeBlanc 1 year ago
Yes, it is a fine, sensitive interpretation of this song, one of the best I've heard. Thanks.
goldie0800 1 year ago
The beauty of a Voice is a finely tuned instrument...is the Violin better that the flute ... it is just as hard to compare JB with Lanza ... I think Lanza one of the greatest ever ..yet I like JB version of Nessum Dorma best.... almost all the Lanza recordings are very fine Movie quality... they we get to see him in perfect synch...and perform ...we have to imagine this with JB mostly or have inferior recording...
lc77k 1 year ago
Just read some of this, Hysterical. other than for the purposes of english alliteration could Bjorling be considered boring. Some may not like that "vibrato" aspect to some of his output but he was an operaticmeister, no ifs no buts
Lanza was a "belter"nothing wrong per se,but choking on chickens speaks volumes. Oh, and didn't he sync-duB the singing waistcoat in The Student Prince? Toodle-pip pip
Kenentigern7 1 year ago
Bjorling boring? Aw, c'mon. If you mean he can sound relaxed and unforced I'll go for that. Ever hear his Cujus Animus? His Turridu? And in Manon Lescault he seems to be saying, "I'm just gonna sweep everyone else off the stage tonight." Lanza was personal exciting. Del Monaco, too. but don't confuse Lanza's vocal strain with excitement. And as for breath control and legato - sorry, neither of the aforementioned are even in Bjorling's league.
diarci 1 year ago
Le suédois altère beaucoup la ligne vocale de cet air splendide.Reste le charme de Björling.Dommage,je pense qu'il l'aurait mieux chanté en russe.Quelqu'un a t'il celà?
abracadabranque 1 year ago
@abracadabranque It was usual to do this in many European countries, in fact you HAD to sing in your own countrys language always on the national scenes. So it's no use blaming Bjoerling, of course it had been better if he had sung in russian, but there, the Russian themselves sang Rigoletto in Russian!
zgopify 1 year ago
@zgopify Je sais tout celà.C'était la façon de populariser l'oeuvre.Il n'empêche que,sauf dans de rares cas,celà gache la musicalité.C'est pourquoi le librettiste est très important dans l'écriture d'un opéra.La parole doit être en harmonie avec la musique.
abracadabranque 1 year ago
@abracadabranque Oui, ces't vrai, naturellement.
zgopify 1 year ago
I enjoy both Sergei Lemeshev and Jussi Bjorling very much in this song.
Actually I think of them as bringing two different excellent flavours to this wonderful song by Rimsky Korsakov.
maxhansendk 1 year ago
I meant of course that they were impressed by Bjoerling! And the reason to why every female singer thought she excelled herself in his company is no mystery any more. Soderstrom solved that riddle many years ago, but noone believed her then. Now psychologists around the world know that she was absolutely right.
mozzrt 1 year ago
Never mind what other singers said about Lanza to the press. As soon as they stepped on US territory they got the question, what should they say? "No we don't like your Holloywood hero". Gedda was supposed to hail Lanza, he doesn't mention him in his autobiography, as for Tebaldi and especially Albanese (and Kirsten, Resnik, de los Angeles, Sayou, Milanov and many others) they told of how they were flabbergasted by his voice, but ALL loved him, because they sang better than ever with him.
mozzrt 1 year ago
Very beautiful! Thanks very much. ;- )
goldie0800 1 year ago
ETNALLEB......I have to agree. This voice of Bjorling is boring after a few lines, at least in this recording. On the other hand Lanza has much more depth and emotion in this same song even though the background voices are unnecessary clutter. His voice puts color in the air. Lanza was an exceptional talent that is very rare. I only first heard him a short time after his death. I was stunned by that amazing voice.
lredmon 1 year ago
Yes early Di Stefano was one of the greatest Italian tenors ever in his prime. Pavs favorite. I heard Di Stefano sing in house in 59 tosca with tebaldi at la scala.with my parents. I was just 19 years old and he was still in good voice but by then Tebaldi was all the rage and she brought the house down with a terrific ovation.
halavey 1 year ago
Superlative version!
paulostroff99 1 year ago
I truly pity all of u that don´t understand Swedish. You can´t hear Jussi hit not just every tone but also every letter in the sweetspot, combined with a tender sadness in his voice. This is almost to good to be true!
GosuSan 1 year ago 3
I was looking for this version, I thought they removed it. Thank you for uploading.
blessingsindisguise 2 years ago 2
Stunning. He was something extra special in an era of special tenors.
For the uninitiated, try Jussi B with Victoria De Los Angeles in Madama Butterfly. It is staggeringly good!
99Gambo 2 years ago
he sang in swedish?
bunnyz324 2 years ago
Yes! This version is in swedish.....I´m from Sweden :D.
chillisnake 2 years ago
Comment removed
blessingsindisguise 2 years ago
потрясающе. Тембр необыкновенный
murzik777 2 years ago 3
The best way to judge a voice is to hear it in house live of course and I heard JB in 1958 sing the duke. I did not hear Lanza ever or Gigli for that matter but the Lanza version of this seems to have the high power hollywood treatment that with his great natural voice was not necessary. This is so well sung I agree it has a calming effect.
halavey 2 years ago
For me Gigli and Bjorling had two of the most beautiful lyric tenors of all time, very different, Gigli sweet as sugar and emotional, Jussi had a terrific top and low notes to match, not an Italian sound really but as fine an artistic Italian tenor as any Italian and he sang lieder just as well, try his Jeannie with the light brown hair also his English was Excellent.
halavey 2 years ago 3
halavey-Please do not omit the equally great Giuseppi di Stefano. He was even the great Luciano Pavarotti's favourite tenor..
paulostroff99 1 year ago
Durante años despertaba a mis hijos con esta voz, con esta melodía, con esta canción para ir a la escuela.
Shiflis2 2 years ago
Björling had the most beautiful voice in the world. Thank you so much for this gorgeous version of Rimsky-Korsakov's hypnotic melody.
vstasov 2 years ago 17
what a wonderful singer - humble man. I am amazed at how clear each word is - I don't speak Swedish, but I heard it all.
concertobub 2 years ago
Are you ready to feel beauty and love?
ilbacioditosca 2 years ago
YES! thank you for posting this so much,
beautiful!
Can anyone get a translation of the poetry?
gaspumpergeorge44 2 years ago
klutttmuttsprutt 2 years ago
Ironically a swedish band that was called Europe wher extremely popular especially in Russia and the rest of Europe during the eighties. If you look to our very small population we have produced a lot of well known music and musicians. Oh well never mind. Peace out Sir....
zlatantillifk 2 years ago
Wow,
If I had known you were going to kick your toys up in the air over this I wouldn't have raised the subject.
I wouldn't call Roxette or Ace of Base world class musicians - no-one really gives a damn about them, but again, that is no reason to put Sweden down - and by the way, I wasn't. I actually quite like the place.
I don't think that Nicolai Gedda is that good, but yes, Birgit Nilsson is superb, though I listen more to male opera than female.
I hope this makes my point.
YesHellFrozeOver 2 years ago
I just tried to make it clear for you that Sweden have been a dominant force when it comes to music-industry in the past. At least considering the size of the population. What is world-class for you might not be it my ears. What we can see though is how certain musicians have made it big out there. And therefor I emphezised that we have had more than ABBA succeding. I mentioned a numerous number of bands and producers.
zlatantillifk 2 years ago
This is the most beautiful version of the song of India even though its not in Russian. It sounds much better than the Russian version even though the Russian lyrics are superior in their poetry and the swedish ones are relatively simplistic in the imagery. Perhaps it has to do with Swedish being a bit sweeter.
asit1 2 years ago
Bjoerling colored his voice and painted the most beautiful pictures with his superor artistry.
796824 2 years ago
Beautiful! Thank you for posting this.
Highce987 2 years ago
I truly pity all of u that don´t understand Swedish. You can´t hear Jussi hit not just every tone but also every letter in the sweetspot, combined with a tender sadness in his voice. This is almost too good to be true!
GosuSan 2 years ago
this has got to be one of the most beautiful songs ever written
ntnfoxworth1 2 years ago
I understand completely, and, agree.
barryoderfer 2 years ago
In a sense,also, if I didn't enjoy Jussi, I wouldn't be on this sight:)
barryoderfer 2 years ago
I've always been of the opinion, Barry, that if someone, anyone, thinks that even their dear old dad had the most beautiful moving voice they had ever heard, - then they are absolutely right. It's not even up for negotiation. Because music, & especially singing, is not an intellectual thing, it's an emotional identification with memories. Of places, events, & people.. My late dad couldn't really sing, but the memory of him singing around the house in my childhood felt like Caruso to me..
hiyadroogs 2 years ago
I meant trivialize not "ytivialize"!!!!!
ripleysb 2 years ago
I have a question. When I heard the English version of Song of India by Mario Lanza, while I loved hearing him sing it, I was upset by the words. They seemed to ytivialize India and it's culture (often happened in Broadway musicals of that era when people seemed to want only lightness and gaeity). I was listening to a version called "Song of the Indian guest", and the translation to English was very different. It talked about the jewels of India. What is the "real" translation? Anyone know?
ripleysb 2 years ago
...Germanophile and has been much criticized for it); in the 1950s, Callas' opinion was widely shared. Later in life, after she retired, it seems that she learned German in order to study Wagner's operas in the original language; but that was in the 70s, when the wind had turned. Fashion changes, that's all, and we should not condemn what was considered normal only 50 years ago, at a time when surtitles did not exist.
Matt75003 2 years ago
Once, Maria Callas had an argument with Pope Pius XII (of all people) about this very issue. The Pope told her that he had listened to a broadcast of Parsifal in which she sang Kundry in Italian; he praised her performance but said she should have sung it in German instead. She answered that Wagner wanted his operas to be intelligible to the audience and that translations should be used in non-German speaking countries. The Pope's position was unusual at the time (he was a staunch...
Matt75003 2 years ago
I don't agree that russian is a very good 'singing' language, it has too little vocals and legato, like german. But thats personal, if it's written in russian it should be sung in that language. But it used to be a tradition in Jussis time, every opera i the Stockholm opera house were sung in swedish for example, all the big Wagner operas, ALL of them!
Now it's different, thank god. Of course one shouldn't translate them. I agree that in all translations, something is lost.
mozzrt 2 years ago
To 6aeus....
Try to think laterally.
I never said Swedish wasn't a beautiful language. Of course I don't believe it has the melodic tone of Russian, but that's my opinion.
Think about it. If you spent months if not years writing an opera in your language, would you not be annoyed if someone translated it, bearing in mind what is lost in ANY translation?
Of course Jussi can make ANY song sound superb. But if it aint broke, don't fix it.
YesHellFrozeOver 2 years ago
Swedish is probably one of the most melodic languages to grace the world. Maby a reason why we produce a lot of world-class musicians?!
zlatantillifk 2 years ago
Zlatantillifk,
You have missed the point. Completely.
Firstly, I simply stated that Russian sounds better, in my opinion. Secondly, had I written 'Song of India' I would not like it sung in anything other than it's original lingo. Thirdly, I didn't criticize Sweden or its language at all.
And for your information, Every country has world-class musicians, though the only other one I can think of from Sweden would be ABBA. Gee, thanks!
YesHellFrozeOver 2 years ago
Gee thanks! Maybe it is only russians who aren´t aware of swedish music exports. Russian has alot of consonants doesn´t it. Sounds very rough. It sounds as if we are singing when we speak swedish. It´s sooooo lovely.
Yeah I know it was written originally in russian. Take it easy man. Geeeees!!!!!
By the way we have produced more than Abba that is well known you idiot. I don´t want to waste my time writing all of them down.
zlatantillifk 2 years ago
Okey I saw you´re from theU.S. Doesn´t change a thing though....What I might thing is world-class musicians might not be that according to you. Roxette is another well-known band...f.ex. Birgit Nilsson, might ring a bell since you are into opera maybe?!!! Gedda or Gädda have russian ancestry but is born and raised in Sweden. There you have another one. Duh!
zlatantillifk 2 years ago
Can someone help me out here?
Why sing the song in Swedish when it was written in Russian?
I know Jussi sounds incredible regardless, but Russian is just a beautiful language in which to sing..
YesHellFrozeOver 2 years ago
And swedish is not? ;-)
6aeus 2 years ago
Det var faktiskt första gången jag hörde denna sång..vacker..Det finns alltid något att upptäcka..Men det var inte den bästa kvalitén..då menar jag inte Jussis röst.
tobobba 2 years ago
I do recommend you to listen to Ivan Koslovsky's version.
korsoz 3 years ago
He has a beautiful voice, but I think I enjoyed Mario Lanza's version more. As a person not educated in opera, I'm sure this version was more technically superior, but I preferred the variety of tone and pitch from ML. Sounded more "Human" to me.
ripleysb 3 years ago 3
I agree with ripleysh in the sense that NO ONE can sing this as well as Mario Lanza.
barryoderfer 2 years ago
Well you certainly speak for a majority of one!
hiyadroogs 2 years ago
hiyadroogs, in response to the email you sent me, I only meant to say that I prefer Lanzas version better. Nothing against Jussi.
barryoderfer 2 years ago
I was only being a little cryptic my friend, I assure you that no offence was intended, nor taken! ha ha
hiyadroogs 2 years ago
Both very good.
barryoderfer 2 years ago
Indeed!
hiyadroogs 2 years ago
Two Geniuses Korsakov and Björling! Bravo!
adamwas 3 years ago 4
His technique seems flawless. Lanza shows a lot of passion but Björling seem to get every tone right spot on with effortlessness
zlatantillifk 3 years ago 11
Thank you so much! A beautiful rendition of the song!
Tenderness6 3 years ago 3
I have been searching for the right word to describe the "quality" his voice expresses in this recording. I believe I have found it: "tenderness"...
Just unforgettable!
skatesindreams 3 years ago 3
I'd like to know why this version sounds better than the one I have from the EMI set? I am sure it's the same recording of 1936. Clearly there's the added reverberation here, but the sound is also more open in general.
yingdat 3 years ago
Una voce lunare...una meraviglia, grazie Jussi!
neronnenn 3 years ago 2
Three years after Korsakov died , Bjorling was born....the perfect conduit for this materly piece. How Korsakov would have been enraptured to absorb Jussi's rendition of this oiece
GYLEN1234 3 years ago 2
Do you think that Egyptians , Greeks and Romans would imagine such a unique pearl would exist in the world?
YES, and we can listen to him.
ilbacioditosca 3 years ago 5
The following comment by Robert Levine says it best: "the tear in his voice communicates instantly; it connotes tenderness, sweetness and sincerity. And the remarkable 'ping' of his easy upper register is thrilling- even heroic. He means business. His singing was as natural as speech there is such joy in his singing that it becomes and end in itself." cont...
noonah08 3 years ago
"Many years ago I sat beside a very old woman at the Metropolitan Opera and she reminisced about singers long gone. She spoke kindly of Gigli, di Stefano, Tucker, martinelli, and her critical acumen was to be admired. But when I asked her about Bjorling, she could barely speak: 'Every note of his went straight to my heart,' she said through barely choked-back tears. 'God must have wanted to listen to him alone in heaven.'"
noonah08 3 years ago 3
I saw great tenors performing live in NYC and
in my non-professional opinion Bjorling was the best live performer I have ever seen.
I also had the priviledge to see and hear Gigli,Schipa,Corelli and Kraus which again in my personal opinion were heads above Lanza as
opera and concert singers. Lanza was very good
but not in the same level as those mentioned above.
jrldev 3 years ago 6
how you can compare Lanza with Bjorling...like to say that a simple Fiat can be like a Ferrari...live the Glory in peace and compare Bjorling with TRUE opera singers like Caruso...byeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
neronnenn 3 years ago 3
My favourite "unoperatic" great operatic chanter.
Kenentigern7 3 years ago
Hardly anybody could beat Bjørling in perfected beauty of voice, that's for sure. But this is a non-interpretation, sung with absolutely no feeling or inflection or the elegiac rapture that some tenors have given to this piece. After a few seconds of admiring the voice, boredom sets in.
AulicExclusiva 3 years ago
you make a good point there,i have always been mesmerize by the beauty of the voice and failed to realize that there were some comments that he had that scandinavian style that could be cold at times,but my God,what a talent! ps i had a chance to see him as a teenager in L.A and missed out.
citrussorbet 3 years ago
The voice, though, was incomparable.
AulicExclusiva 3 years ago 2
I agree that in the case of Bjorling, the sheer beauty of voice is paramount and the interpretation is secondary. But the technique, phrasing, and musicianship are also admirable, and somehow I've never gotten bored listening to his pure legato sound and distinctive timbre.
meltzerboy 2 years ago
Another wonderful recording by Jussi Bjorling. I remember when I was about 17. I had a LP of arias by Mario Lanza that I thought were great, until I bought an LP or Jussi Bjorling singing the same arias. The difference was tremendous. I ended up putting the LP of Mario Lanza away.
luvmuzik4me 3 years ago
I´m frome sweden:D
Airplanefreake 3 years ago
Well, I know i will get the all kinds of heat from all you J.B fans and dont get me wrong i loved J.B to 1 of the greatest Tenors of all time but just have an open mind and listen to Mario Lanza sing this song in English, his diction and emotional phrasing are just amazing. Mario said that Jussi Bjorling was really the only Tenor he really respected,and coming from the Greatest ALL-AROUND TENOR himself,that really was quite a compliment.
Etnalleb 3 years ago
I'm fluent in Swedish ,English and yes, Italian. Lanza's English phrasing in this particular piece isn't bad, but Björling's Swedish is simply divine. And if you are looking for the greatest all-around tenor of all times, shouldn't you be looking among the ones who actually appeared on the stage of a major operahouse, which Lanza, talented as he might have been, never did ?
Luonnotar70 3 years ago
Luonnotar; Lanza did appear on the Operatic Stage at the beginning of his career but it was soon very clear that this One of a Kind Tenor could not be confinded to just the Opera. That the whole world should have access to his beautiful voice. Lanza gave plenty of performances on the Concert Stage world wide. By all round tenor i meant that he could sing ANY genre of music from classical to pop better than any one else and most people agree he was unrivaled in that aspect of music.
Etnalleb 3 years ago
Etnalleb U must B joking, it is quite obvious that U propagandize all things Lanza. He was a beloved pop artist & he should B admired 4 what he was, a Pop Singer I will never understand why Lanza fans continually try 2 place him as the greatest opera tenor when the man never even had an opera career. Operatic singing is more than so-called "emotions" besides talent it takes skill & technique both of which Lanza was always criticized for not having. Don't take my word 4 it do some research.
302MarkVII 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
MarkVII. AulicExclusiva said it best about JB. after a few seconds of admiring JB's voice boredom sets in. I know of no-one who was ever bored with Lanza's voice. As for doing research the 3 Greatest Diva's of all time Tebaldi,Callas and Albanese all said that Lanza's voice was equal or in Albanese's case better than Caruso. All 3 sang with Bjorling so i will take their opinions over yours. Maybe it is you who should do some research.
Etnalleb 3 years ago
Interestingly enough Lanza is not mentioned once in Callas' entire autobiography. You'll have to do better than to just steal other peoples comments to make a point. Aulics comment is well taken and really is more a matter of opinion as many of these things are, but postulating Lanza as the best is to say the least laughable.
302MarkVII 3 years ago 2
@302MarkVII Well...You are unique!!
Even Carusos widow put Bjorling at the top! She said:
-Wear Ricos Crown!!
And gave him the mantle from Carusos most succesful performances.
Lanza could never remember an entire opera! And did not even have the voice endurance to giva such a performance!
But he (Lanza) did have engineers that could make recordings sound good. Much better then live performance from Lanza...
maxhansendk 1 year ago
@302MarkVII As all 3 ladies were born after Caruso died, how could they compare any tenor to EC? I just listened to ML's rendition of this & it is w/his usual "bull in a china shop technique". I'm a ML fan, he was the greatest of the pop/movie tenors & left us some lovely recordings which show that his natural gift would have allowed him to have been a great tenor had he also been given the intellect/work ethic. His lack of technique would not have allowed him to complete most operas.
Lovelytenor1 1 year ago
Well,Lanza had great potential but his technique was very flawed,and his singing was too melodramatic,unstylistic and sloppy.His timbre didn't have the melancholic quality of Bjorling.
tonyantony1 3 years ago 2
how many seconds of admiration do you get before boredom strikes? one can always keep a Lanza recording within reach to avoid death before Jussi Boredom strikes you.... but, aside from The Student Prince, a work of unalloyed schmaltz,I find Lanza gives me a cross between diabetes and tinnitus. chacun a son goo.
herminestover 1 year ago
@Etnalleb
This post of yours is meant as a funny?
65attila 1 year ago
@65attila scroll down to Iredmon and AulciExclusiva they have the same almost word for word comments as myself as do millions of others . At the time Jussi Bjorling , Di Stefano, Del Monaco were all in their prime during the 50's there was 1 Tenor Mario Lanza that was Internationally acclaimed as the Greatest Singer in the World by the general public NOT just the Opera world. The few Opera purists here that pan Mario are nothing more than brainless imbeciles r u one as well?
Etnalleb 1 year ago
@Etnalleb
The general public might like Andre Rieu mire than Hilary Hahn.
So What? Your rudeness is NOT funny.
65attila 1 year ago
@Etnalleb - I really HOPE you're kidding, about Bjorling and Song of India. The extraordinary timbre, tone and delivery of Jussi B are WELL-represented, here, in this aria. ... Lanza was OK, in his way .. but NEVER the match of Bjorling, Schipa, Caruso and others, in their prime.
jhb134 1 year ago
@Etnalleb Admit it you have absolutely no interest in Bjorling, you came to this site to promote Lanza. How unfortunate. Many of us are old enough to remember him as a young man with great promise, and then later as someone who could never live up to that promise. Whenever I go to a record store or a library record section with Lanza listed in the classical section I get upset because I think his records belong in the Pop record category. Bjorling or Corelli yes; Lanza no!!!
eyesk8er 1 year ago 2
@Etnalleb Lanza was and is a TURD. Stupid dago asshole. Thanks for the block, kraut asshole. Eat shit.
madisonelectronic 1 year ago
@madisonelectronic You have been reported for profane , and extremely offensive language, and a vile personal attack which is totally unacceptable on this site, expect a suspension of your account.
Etnalleb 1 year ago
I have just stumbled over Jussi by accident. Listening to him sing is a truly emotional experience. How can such a voice come from the throat of a mere mortal
flavius45 3 years ago 2
What a treat you're in for then, as you listen to more of his recordings. Bjorling is my favorite tenor. The voice was a unique mix of power, tone and delicacy.
He died at 49; what a loss!
johnhoie 3 years ago
OHHHH!!!! AMAZING. I love this song and Bjoerling's voice. His version is the most beautiful. The tears comes to my eyes hearing this song.
grupetto 4 years ago 3
Argh, don't get my wrong this is amazing, but when I learned this song in voice, I learned the French version "Chanson Indoue" and I've yet to find a French version of this song, nor heard a girl sing it. Hmm, it's pretty un an octave too. Had anyone heard it in French?
kashmircustard 4 years ago
it's pretty in an octave higher too*
:) Huzzah for typos
kashmircustard 4 years ago
Plenty of gals have recorded it in French. Off the top of my head: Amelita Galli-Curci, Alma Gluck, Mady Mesple, Rene Doria, Maria Callas, Lily Pons, Fanny Heldy.. and probably a number of others I can't remember or haven't heard.
XKalino 3 years ago
Oops, that was meant to be a response to your comment.
XKalino 3 years ago
The master's voice takes us on a journey of sweeping love and beauty. If we could but sing along with him.
blakemooney 4 years ago 2
I DO! In my car... on my way to work and school. I will soon tint the windows in my car because I feel silly when people turn and look at me singing.
302MarkVII 4 years ago
totally. I feel like an ass in the summer when I am singing with the windows and people give weird looks...they just dont understand the beauty of his voice or the music.
MrFryMan 4 years ago
just simply the best....like a silver lance through the very soul of the music. Caruso, Gigli, Jussi......on the wings of clouds.
jaddeo 4 years ago
någon som vet när jussi föddes och dog?
modano89 4 years ago
Han föddes 1911 i Borlänge.
Dog 1960, endast 49 år gammal.
Blodigeln 4 years ago
I first heard this song years ago in a far away land, I looked high and low to find it, for I was never sure of the name of the Composer... Just happend to come across it here and so glad to have found it, how enchanting it can be....
katyasag 4 years ago
Great! And the obiter dicta of your erudite commentators does you fine honour, indeed!
sagalat 4 years ago
Is that a picture of Lauritz Melchior blowing out a cake? Lmao.
AUDlOPHILE 4 years ago
Yes it is. I love that picture. The informal setting shows a more human side to Bjorling (the empty glasses, the background, their expressions) you almost can smell the liquor, tobacco smoke, and food.
302MarkVII 4 years ago
Underbar sång. Tack till den som lagt upp filmen!
bernalyckan 4 years ago
A wonderous song indeed. Cheers.
302MarkVII 4 years ago
I think a women's voice would be more suited for this song. but he is super too. I've never heard any singers sing this song. Do you know any female singers who have sung this?
psychspirit 4 years ago
On YouTube the only woman I have heard sing this is is Ofelia Nieto. It's an old recording, but good. Oddly enough many recordings of this are done by female singers though the aria is actually meant for a tenor. Jussi and Lanza are my favs for this one, though Lanza's version has modified lyrics.
302MarkVII 4 years ago
I am constantly amazed listening to this wonderful singer. Such a heavenly tone. God bless Jussi.
koala501 4 years ago
ther,s only one beter caruso.
toddyboy345 4 years ago
A delightful offering from a truly great artist.
Ivanhoe2 4 years ago
One more correction (last one)
... högt mot rymden tvingar
vinga4en 4 years ago
The song title in Swedish is "I söderns hav", but this song is not at all as famous as "O helga natt", and I couldn't find the lyrics for it on google. "O helga natt" is very well-known and always performed around xmas times in churches in Sweden, but I've never heard "I söderns hav" before. I started trying to type down what I heard him singing, but gave up after a while, cause I coulnd't quite catch everything unfortunately.
zang1983 4 years ago
Thank you very much for trying, most would have probably ignored the request. I'll try to find the lyrics through academic search databases.
302MarkVII 4 years ago
This is what I heard (with reservations)
I söderns hav, i klippans dolda gömma där vilar pärlan trolskt du såg i drömmen,
på Indiens strand
i undrens land.
Ljuvt i böljors vimmel speglars röd dess himmel
över hav som tiger, fågel Fenix stiger
höra sånger tona, längta att försona
på de vita vingar, högt mot rymden svingar
lyss till ljuva sången, snart är dagen gången.
Vinga4 4 years ago
I söderns hav, i klippans dolda gömma där vilar pärlan trolskt du såg i drömmen
på Indiens strand
i undrens land
Vinga4 4 years ago
or rather
Djupt i böljors vimmel...
Vinga4 4 years ago
Wow! I don't know how to thank you for such a wonderful gift. Unfortunately non of my videos load for me anymore. Again thanks.
302MarkVII 4 years ago
You´re welcome
vinga4en 4 years ago
Can anyone give me the lyrics to this aria? Someone posted lyrics to the "O Holy Night" song. I sure would love to have them. Thanks.
302MarkVII 4 years ago
This is from the opera "Sadko" by Rimsky-Korsakov. I am translating from the French words to this aria:
" The Diamonds of our land are innumbrable,
The pearls in our seas are incalculable
It is India, the land of wonders.
In one of our sites, a ruby emerges,
A bird inhabites with the visage of a virgin,
Day and night it sings with a ravishing voice,
His brilliant feathers cover the entire shore.
Whoever would be able to hear it, would be born anew from the ashes. "
gbnordstrom 4 years ago
Thank you so much for the translation! Where did you find the french lyrics? I found some english ones but they seem different, sung by Mario Lanza.
302MarkVII 4 years ago
I found the French translation in a book published by G. Schirmer called "56 Songs You Like to Sing" originally from 1936. I did not have time to get the libretto from"Sadko" from the library, but will try to get it and post a more correct translation from the Russian, but I think the French is pretty close to the origianl Russian.
gbnordstrom 4 years ago
Here is a translation from the RUSSIAN LIBRETTO:
"INNUMERABLE ARE THE DIAMONDS IN THE STONE CAVES,
INNUMERABLE ARE THE PEARLS IN THE MIDDAY SEA.. OF MIRACULOUS FAROFF INDIA.
THERE IS IN THE WARM SEA A MARVELLOUS RUBY STONE: ON THAT STONE IS A PHOENIX, A BIRD WITH THE FACE OF A MAIDEN. HEAVENLY ARE ALL IT'S SONGS, SWEETLY IN SINGS, IT UNFURLS IT'S WINGS, COVERS THE SEA.
ANYONE WHO HEARS TEH BIRD WILL FORGET EVERYTHING.
INNUMERALBE ARE THE DIAMONDS ETC.
gbnordstrom 4 years ago
Wow they sure are different from the lyrics in english, at least the ones I found through google. It is so interesting to actually know what is being sung...sort of gives the aria a different feel. Thank you for the information.
302MarkVII 4 years ago
Please credit or explain photos. I have never seen these. Thank you!
madisonelectronic 4 years ago
The picture where Jussi is helping blow out birthday candles is at Lauritz Melchior's birthday some time in the late thirties early forties. Anna Lisa is there too.
302MarkVII 4 years ago
That was very nice... Very smooth.
vitaminrich2 4 years ago
So beautiful. So peaceful. It just flows and flows. Such a treat on a warm summer's night. Thanks
hollyrr 4 years ago