Jussi Björling's son! (Rolf) - Dein ist mein ganzes Herz

[BUTCHIE20100]

Jussi makes me cry singing "dein ist mein Ganzes Herz" Rolf can't.

[johntmarohn1]

I am not sure the reason for Rolf's very wide wobble in this recording...Could be he was tired or that he had been oversinging or even his age..It is very noticeable.

[MrAndredekock]

It's amazing to think that Rolf was only 17 years younger than Jussi, his dad! It would appear that the Bjorling genes don't have much in the way of longevity, as Jussi died of heart failure (egged on by alcoholism) at only 49 and Rolf apparently died of cancer at 65. I like this voice a lot and as he was already 52 when this was recorded, that may account for the slight wobble in the voice, which is really the battle of controlling the breath as age sets in, making it more difficult and tiring.

[1953airman]

who care it is his life

[1953airman]

wonderfull voice

[UncleLouie867]

If his name was Rudolpho Scungeli- he would have gone further. Dad's name did not help him.

[RingingHeldentenor]

Excellent voice, larger voice than his dads .... musical ... vibrato a bit out of control but other than that ... excellent ... definitely as talented as his old man ... and I actually like his voice better ...

[SHICOFF1]

It must have been tough in a way to be constantly compared to his famous father so it is a two way thing, good and bad both for him.

[SHICOFF1]

He was very nice. I met him after I heard him sing a recital in Chicago at Orchestra hall in the 60's. I went backstage and talked for awhile with him. He was tall friendly and receptive. I can tell you he was better then he is here and had a fine voice then and in the middle voice he sounded much like his father, in the Swedish and German especially and I had heard JB on stage in 1958. I sat in that room and at times heard the likeness on certain notes. He sang with good taste also. RIP

[SHICOFF1]

he died of cancer, did not have heart trouble according to Anna Lisa in the JB book. died in 1993.

[abracadabranque]

Trop engorgé,mais généreux.

[aussiechickdiana]

I think this a beautiful voice; full of life, warmth and robustness. I like listening to it anyway...diana

[Gary2837]

Great voice!! I have a little problem with the wide vibrato as well; otherwise, magnificent. Some notes sound like jussi.

[elliebagshawe]

Anyone who sings like this deserves just recognition. Wonderful finale. I wish he was still around.

[citrussorbet]

i think i read he passed away sometime ago. heart trouble like dad

[opera888able]

Interesting voice but much more heroic in tone, nothing approaching the subtlety or sweetness and timbre of the 'old man" Not keen on the wide vibrato either. Sorry Rolf, for me it just don't quite cut it.

[vpo2g2]

A good voice, but not a great technique and his phrasing is not within hailing distance of Jussi's

[FenianandLimey]

If this is true this is incredible. 

[ellandelachapelle]

Rolf. I hated his voice! (when I was young.) Wobbly and too sharp! But when I saw him live (and on stage) I found him very charismatic! (dramatic actor.) (I hated the voice of mezzo Kerstin Meyer too. But on stage she was a real knock-out.)

Recordings aren´t everything!

[maxhansendk]

This is very good singing!

Despite having the weight of his father on his shoulders I think he did very well!

A professional singer indeed.

P S Sometimes in this rendition I actually hear Jussi...

[bigmandrel]

Wow? This is a dark voice! Very epic. The gods should be jealous.

[Zva26]

He looked so much like his dad. A very fine voice also.

[302MarkVII]

Was Rolf at Jussi's funeral? He was about 30 by then or so I would think. Did they have any sort of relationship? I wonder if Jussi ever heard his son sing. I can only imagine that he must have been very proud. I know I would.

[Jextxadore]

What an amazing, sweet voice. It has a very unique quality to it

Does anyone have the lyrics for this version? I think it's Swedish? First time I've ever heard it in any language other than Italian and German.

[76sprucetop]

sorry... the voice of the tenor is JOSE CARRERAS...

[MusicalTenor23]

@76sprucetop what?? seriously are you ok??

[Ragnaroekk]

@76sprucetop Cool. Carreras sings in Swedish.

[76sprucetop]

@Ragnaroekk sorry.. haha... carreras can even sing chinese... okok.. kidding only... don't be so serious..anyway ..thanks.

[maxhansendk]

Even to get Jussis sound 25% is a great gift!!

Wonderful singing by Rolf Bjorling!!

He is better then 97% of all professional

singers of today!!

I also hear Jussi in his voice! Lovely! Keep on singing Rolf!!

[100Singers]

@maxhansendk A wonderful compliment, but unfortunately Rolf Bjoerling passed away some years ago.

[99Gambo]

I can hear Jussi in this! And the photo looks like him too!

A splendid voice; let's not compare him with his father. Many of us suffer from that pressure as it is!

[bjorling62]

I heard Rolf at the Stocholm opera as Rodolfo, Otello, Manrico and think he was a gorgious singer. I think it's a pity there are so few recordings about him. He really deserved more!!

Please post more about him, those who can!!

[Honken]

Någon som har den svenska texten (Du är min hela värld) till denna aria?

[Erdrick345]

Rolf can't compare to dad..one of the greatest tenors of all time. There is an unfortunate waver in his voice. He is good and that's about it. Jussi's version of this is truly great!

[Alfifa]

He sounded very good!

Karlott

[65attila]

Rolf's voice and singing are much better and more similar to pere Jussi on a wonderful LP ODEON PMES 552} recorded in 1966. When I first heard Rolf's voice I thought it was Jussi's ghost

[halavey]

Peerce is the correct spelling and as for Tucker they where NOT cousins they where brother in laws not related by blood but by marriage, Tucker married Jan's younger sister Sara and they did not really compete as tucker sang heavier roles right from the start that jan did not sing ever. Gioconda and Aida, later Samson and Canio, 30 roles at the met, I heard Rolf Bjorling in 1964 and his voice did not wobble then but he sang heavy roles not good for his lyric voice, even Calaf later. Nice voice.

[dracher]

First, I say shame upon the poster for references to this singers Legitimacy, and for the foolish remark about Jussi Bjoerling and infidelities; You should learn better manners before speaking of the dead in a public place.

The singing is very lovely, would be a great thing to have such a voice today, this voice would have been a very fine amateur voice 40 years ago, but today it would be a ray of light in the gloom of many current tenors.

[bigmandrel]

@dracher Thank you. I agree with and support your statements.

[BernardProfitendieu]

@dracher facts are facts, sister ... what's with the fake indignation?

"speaking of the dead in a public place" - you sound like a little, old victorian spinster!

If the dead don't want people speaking of their infidelities, they ought to be more discrete while living.

btw, the days of hushing up questions of legitimacy ended about 50 years ago, where've you been? working on your needlepoint and crocheting doilies?

get with the times, sister!

[bigmandrel]

@dracher Yes. Thank you for speaking my sentiments as well. Cheers.

[Webarton]

WOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TECHNIQUE!?!? what age WAS THIS!?!? I almost cant believe its him. This recording is ALL IN THE THROAT =(

[Honken]

Read the title, it's his son.

[pearlmuth3]

SO YOU SEE HEUR HE REALLY WAS SINGLE WHEN HE HAD ROLF SO IT WAS NOT A CASE OF CHEATING ON ANNA LISA WHOM HE MARRIED IN THE MID 30'S. Now his 2 sons are successful and well and senior 's like me. His daughter is also in her mid 60's now and well in Sweden. Son Anders Bjorling has a lovely home in Minn. and invited the JBS (society) to his home several years ago, it was wonderful and his lovely wife Janet was alive then and greeted us at the door. I still remember her kindness.

[pearlmuth3]

Yes Agorante the wobble was from the wrong roles he sang later as you say but early on it was very lyric. Heur Jussi was NOT married when he had Rolf, he was 19 years old.

[pearlmuth3]

Jussi was not married when he had Rolf anyhow and I heard Rolf in recital around 1964 and met him after, nice fellow he was not a spinto then at all but lyric and sounded in the middle more like his dad then here he sang later heavier roles he and the voice started to show wear but when i heard him he was very good without being compared to dad. He sang Calaf with Nilsson live later and that was really heavy for his voice that had become more spinto he died at age 63

[1Ooppera]

Like i commented his Manrico, i said again. Very different voice than his father had. Much darker and heavier, a real spintovoice!

What is interesting, that they were so different, maybe from his mothers Anna-Lisas side, he got this more heroic, robusto sound.He had the voice that very many tenors could only dream of...he did not need his fathers name nowhere...great!

[GermanOperaSinger]

Rolf was not his son through Anna Lisa, he was born out of wedlock when Jussi had an affair with a woman when he was 19.

[1Ooppera]

You are right, as you mentioned, now i remember that in his book is a story about Rolf, thank you for remindig me. I remember Jussi supported Rolf and his mother finacially, but maybe i am wrong? So obviously genes to a darker voice came from Rolfs mothers side...have you heard other Anna-Lisas and Jussis sons, how is the voicecolor with them?

[gpoec]

Read the book, "Jussi", by his wife. She includes all the details of a loving, but difficult life for all concerned.

[aguacun]

If you liste to this tenor waiting similarities with his father sound you will never apreciate this voice and will always say that had not a great voice like his father. Many tenors had great voices and none like Björling´s... but where great too. Peolple alwasy want to compare and say "this is better than..." Let´s apreciate the singers for what they are and not "how they approaches to other". I listen here a very good tenor voice.

[Agorante]

I heard Rolf Bjoerling a couple times (SF Opera, Constitution Hall). I remember my tenor friends being just a little peeved that he could get work becuse of his name but they were better singers. That was true - maybe.

Rolf was just ordinary. Here alas, he has developed a bit of a wobble.

[GermanOperaSinger]

Well, I suppose that was true to a certain degree...if his name were Rolf Meyer than he probably wouldn't have gone as far. Then again, he never was considered by anyone to be a world class singer. He was pretty good, but that was it.

[ForAll23]

@GermanOperaSinger

Yes that is right, but Jussi was then 17 (not married to anyone) and Rolf's mother, Linnea Hellström (1907 - 1953), was 21 years old.

Rolf was a kind and friendly person.

[gpoec]

Dear Agorante,

I don't hear the wobble on this song, but I know it happens when singers push so hard that they lose the focus of a good vibrato. That's one reason I was never a Callas fan. As for the jealous tenors. I never knew any tenors who didn't think that they were the greatest. As an example, Pierce and Tucker (cousins)had a great rivalry. Most singers look into the the mirror every morning and say "La Bella Voce" to reflection. Self ego is not the best measure of a singer ability.

[sbjames1000]

@Agorante ..I heard Rolf around this time and he was flawless. He didn't need his father's name to make a living singing. Anyone can have a bad day in a live concert. I heard Pavarotti crack; did that make him a mediocre singer?

[hamster13]

if you dont know if rolf was son of anna lisa or not, then i will suggest that you consentrate more on the music than writing shit. rolf is by the way a result of a affair jussi had with a woman when he was very young and has nothing to do with his singing carreer -or that he was famous and therefore could get every woman that he pointed at. this happened before his marriage.

[kittycrunch456]

Pfft, i'm considered hot & if i had a choice of any man, i'd choose Mr. Bjorling myself. i'm very critical when it comes to guys' looks (not one of these gals who'd think a man good lookin cos he's got good heart lol) & i say Jussi is absolutely beautiful. He has this sweet, tender, untainted look about him that other men didn't have. W/ his big soft eyes, cherubic face & bow-shaped lips, he looked like a lil boy! One need only to look at his pics as a young man to know how handsome he was...

[ellandelachapelle]

@kittycrunch456 Hear hear! (watch him in Rigoletto here on YouTube singing La donna è mobile with a mezzo. Sexy or what?)

[kittycrunch456]

Where i come from we judge looks based on their features like the shape of their face, eyes, complexion, etc. But i noticed that americans (who btw are the fattest) tend to, by default, label one as being ugly if he/she isn't thin/fit. Having said that, had Mr. Bjorling cared to live w/ nutrionists & personal trainers like the celebs today, no american would be saying crap like he's not attractive. Besides guys are bad at judging what's considered attractive to women.

[mjmacmtenor]

Interesting about Bjorling's numerous affairs. I was not aware of that. He was not all that good looking so it must have been his singing (or something else) that attracted the ladies.

[kittycrunch456]

Unattractive! Speak for urself.

[Herur22]

I thought that he had a very good marriage.

[Chiliarches]

That was my impression also, though I have never read up on it and must bow to the knowledge of others...

[Bjoerrelli]

Rolf was born outside of Jussi´s marriage with Anna-Lisa so he was Jussi´s illegitimate son, Jussi had a daughter outside of his marriage as well.

[Alfifa]

Sounds quite nice!

Would like to hear more...

Of course, one can never compare a son to his father. Both have talent.

Karlott

[francescaemc2]

Beautiful high register. Not his Dad, but why should he be. My mother was a concert violinist and I can't even string one.

It's tough to be the son or daughter of a virtuoso/a. He's very well trained.

Thanks for posting this rare treasure.

pax

Francesca

[pearlmuth3]

Nice singing, nice voice and in person was somewhat like his dads but of course not as beautiful --in the 60's it was more like Jussi then here.