Manon, Je suis seul!... Ah! fuyez, douce image. Jussi Björling. Jules Massenet

[TheVaughan5]

Even with all the restrictions of an early recording, it's not hard to see why Bjorling is perhaps the greatest tenor of the 20th c., perhaps the greatest ever!

[bassocantante]

incredible!!!

[Alfifa]

Wow.....! I´m speachless!

What a voice and a musiciant!

Karlott

[francesca7564]

Très grande classe Monsieur Björling, et quelle diction !!!

Merci pour le post .

[mrgreynomore]

Oh this is just gorgeous - when he was in his prime. 

[madisonelectronic]

@mrgreynomore What do you mean "when"? hahahahahaha

[2CalaMo]

The best version of this aria I have ever heard. Effortless and pure.

[bodiloto]

sublime.

[XP11XP]

@RoyKa2010 Yes, Bjorling did sing Pourquoi me réveiller in recital at times, but no recording exists.

[MrSkylark1]

There has never been another tenor who could sing as Bjorling did and still it continues

[LordMgls]

Best technique I ever heard. Great phrasing, I've heard worst "prononciations"... But lacks expression. This needs a lot of expression. Caruso rules. Villazón gives it so much expression that he always can make me laugh with his (cracked) rendition of this beautiful aria.

[Repulsion100]

@LordMgls I think you are missing the real fine tuned senses! The highest level of expression is the one INSIDE the tone itself. JB is expressing a remarcable feeling in his tone. It´s like a tear of silver in his tone. We who have these senses and fine tuned ability don´t like when singers are trying to create feelings outside the tone by sobbing and putting extraordinary curles to it. That´s not REAL feeling/expression. Björlings VOICE stands for the highest expression ever carried out!

[LordMgls]

@Repulsion100 That gives a lot to think about. I have spinto who use those annoying sobs to disguise a disability of expression as well. But for me, expression encompasses what you are explaining me, but as well the sounds that good acting leads to the voice. I think that only considering that, we would be once more (-.-'') be talking about that myth which says opera and classic music is only to be completely enjoyed/ understood by a couple of (pseudo)intellectual musician listeners...

[LordMgls]

@LordMgls I mean I hate, not I have.

[tat1685]

@LordMgls In my pseudo intellectual opinion, Bjorling was not only the finest singer, but one of the greatest musicians on record along with Kreisler, de Lancie, and Richter. So there.

[donerlich]

Jeez, his b flats sound like g's, so easy, natural, no excessive cover yet not spread like di stefano, the perfect mix. Not my fav tenor but he was def in a league of his own.

[lesbonnesoreilles]

Bjorling a été l'inspiration de jeunesse de ce ténor québécois Pierre Boutet dont je joins cet extrait. Je peux comprendre !! Quelle voix extraordinaire !!

[kittycrunch456]

Given that Jussi has the most beautiful sounding... ever, his voice is soooooooo prettty (does not mean feminine) lol. To me his voice has the qualities of an angel (God); a heroic, sincere, passionate man; and, a little boy- all in one. Incomparable!

[MTondeleo]

To kittycrunch456 (year later): I've tried in vain to verbalize that supernaturally beautiful voice. You've about said it all! Oh that Massenet could've heard Jussi, he would've melted, asked when God sent this singer to him. Some decry lack of Italian passion. Are they kidding?!! I hear Italian passion infused with Scandinavian melancholy (forgive, not usually given to nationalistic stereotypes).

[kittycrunch456]

@MTondeleo: Haha thank u for your kind words. Jussi is truly unique in that his sound is full of nuance incl. (as u've mentioned & i think most beloved) that melancholiness...

[ajdukujac]

lovely jussi!

[tenor74]

The voice of an angel!

[ophunka]

@tenor74 Valóban Angyali Hang!!!!