Jussi Björling / Renata Tebaldi - O soave fanciulla (1956)

[billcarr54]

Magnificent singing ! I was 12 that year, but no access to opera, unfortunately.

Thanks for posting this.........

[irmgardfuerst]

göttliche stimmen! 

[gerrypepper]

quite perfect in every way

[nanai16951]

Che meraviglia!!!!

[MrMoggie96]

How could any modern-day singers improve on that? Sheer brilliance from Bjorling and Tebaldi that I believe will never be surpassed!

[tuberobotto]

My point of curiosity is why was the opera shot in B&W? I know it provides a subtle effect to the appreciation of the scenes but I was just curious how it could be different if it was colored. I'm sure at this time they did colored films already. Anyway, it's still one of my best favorite versions of the opera and such a treat to see Bjorling and Tebaldi, especially Tebaldi with her superb acting and facial expressiveness. 1,000 thumbs up!

[cafeitalia1]

Goosebumps on my Goosebumps. I bow to the Masters!

[gmm02004]

Absolutely superb. Exceptionally beautiful. Thank you!

[jeh500]

Brilliant artists. How can it get better? 

[aerico36]

sencillamente INCOMPARABLE !!!

[35almar]

Never, ever equaled by any other tenor and soprano.

[tennesseelvr]

wouldn t heaven being not having to hit the replay function?

[tennesseelvr]

what in God s name is there to "dislike" about this most marvelous song? it is "life enhancing"!!!

[vivadomingo1]

The Master at work!!! Great post, and I love Tebaldi as well. Thank you so much for the wonderful post!

[cuntflappers]

Major goosebumps 

[45oldbear]

the light, the generosity that shine from the face of Tibaldi- the glory of womanhood, and the way her sound floats on the very top of the air column. Ah, bene.

[biancanevelet]

Grandissimi,una coppia artistica perfetta.

[infoanalysis]

Renata Tibaldi peerless even today!

[SHICOFF1]

@BUTCHIE20100 Some singers today do take the high C, not that it matters, better a great high B then a not great C and in the opera house most people don't even know  it. Voices today like Beczala and Grigolo and some other lyrics do. Bjorling usually did, especially earlier in his career he always did He is 44 here, almost 45 but his earlier versions live where with the C. Check out the 1950 Firestone Video where he sings it with his wife and does sing the High C, it may be on you tube

[tobyt57]

I wish I had been born a few years earlier than I was.I would give my right arm to see these two duet 'live'

Bless you for posting this. I will listen to it daily.

[BUTCHIE20100]

Singers today don't take the high C at the end. Enjoy this because we may never see the like again.

[longlifeluke]

Bjioring è bravissimo...ma la Tebaldi è perfetta! un suono eccellente!!!

[MegaClassiclover]

The voices are magnificent, but the best part of this video is Renata's facial expressions. She loves the way Jussi is singing and she loves him for it. Ultimately, it is always the chemistry between the performers that makes a great performance, and this is a great performance

[metropolisio]

I've heard much much better as far as the tenor role goes..for me Bjorling although a great technician,the voice was lack-luster and weak

[thheijmans]

Thank you so very much for posting this jewel. This is the best performance ever of o soave fanciulla. It is already been said and I agree . The first 35 sec. are not of this earth. I love Jussi. Always.

[tobyt57]

Possibly the greatest rendition of this aria I have ever heard.

[856285]

one of the greatest tenors of all time and one of the most beautiful tenor voices of all time

D.

[MrFrenchaccent]

Thanks again !

[zlatantillifk]

These two voices really blended perfectly! They seemed to have a healthy respect for eachother!?

[danmessias]

Oh , my god, this is perfection!

[kidgamer2]

Truly amazing voices.

[SHICOFF1]

@singerjen212 Yes, correct. Jussi was in his mid 40's here and Live, and at this point in his career he sometimes singing live would sing it down as many others and he did that also in the Che Gelida aria in this TV Brdcst. just before this duet. He sounded wonderful anyhow. He died in 1960 at age 49.

[mrsspanner14]

Thank you for posting this. Makes my heart feel too full; it's utterly beautiful.

[Robertgrade]

There are no more voices like that. Bjorling was not a romantic figure, but was there a more beautiful voice? And Tebaldi, lovely figure, is also one of my favorite voices.

[MrGranfield]

Fantastic I could listen to this every day and not tire of it.

[MrNikodemus2]

magnificent thanks!!!!

[GeorgeM1949]

Indeed, nothing comes close. Though the recording with Sir Thomas and de los Anglelos in quite interesting, mostly the difference is Sir Thomas. And JB sings the original ending.

[OSMFANful]

Thank you for posting this beautiful video with an excellent audio.A charming performance:Bjorling too noble;Renata too beautiful...a great effort,great art;great selection.Thanks again for this happiness

[singerjen212]

This is half a step down.

[hobo1975]

@singerjen212 LIKE UR BRAIN.

[keesslager]

very sexy and convincing when you close your eys.

impeccable singing, great panache and so weird

a couple of oldies having a romance

makes you think about yourself

[julienfitxzroydavid]

thank you ythank you i am speechless after such pleasure. don't ever delete this.

[oceans80]

I play this for my non-opera-loving friends... blows them away every time.

[Fegen]

Two of the best opera singers ever.

[pgiuser]

Renata Tebaldi has a very very expressive face its a plesaure just watching her. Add to that a voice like an angel and J.B. singing in his prime makes it the best O soave fanciulla ever recorded. Fantastic opera I watch this every day love it.

[MGDANCEMG]

Bjorling's voice is, like that of the handful of great singers who have been among us, is unique, unmistakable. It is also, like, say, Nilsson's, penetrating but capable of the greatest warmth. These are artists playing the part of artists. How serious yet loving!

[MrGranfield]

What a duet. Both Jussi and Renata are on the top of their form. Jussi has the voice of the centuary,although his acting doesn't match it. Callas has always been my favourite,but I have changed my mind R.T. is now my number one.

[meggy123456789]

what a great shame he could not act in opera had he he would be the complete article no doubt about his voice though the very best

[GwenAYF]

In a duet one is not to supposed to hear one voice "over" another. It is the harmonious blend of both that makes glorious music. I hear a duet, not two solos. This is gorgeous. Divine.

[RoOodOoOloOmeg]

@E19103 I thought Tebaldi made a mistake at that second.

[meggy123456789]

my top 5 best tenors of all time

1 jussi bjorling

2.gigli

3.pavarotti

4.bergonzi

5.john mccormack

[wiseroldfart]

@meggy123456789: Listen to Caruso's 1904 recordings. His 'E lucevan le Stelle' 'Recondita Armonia' and 'Una Furtiva Lagrima' should make your hair stand on end. My hair fall out, but that's just me. I don't know why Caruso failed to make your list if you've heard him at his very best. I don't know how Caruso's amazing resonance managed to rise above those tinny recordings. Oh well, you either see why Caruso was so special or you don't. Of course, Jussi just about ties Caruso on top of my list.

[trannel9988]

Jussi! 100 years today. And still giving me goose bumps! Truely a man for all times.

So generous! Pure nature i vibrating in him, or God if you are religious!

[zfranklyn]

oh my god. perfect PERFECT PERFECT!!!!!

[LucianoKraCore]

Perfect singing.

[mamiesgame]

I go to this whenever I need a lift, and I am refreshed--what consummate artists--thank you, thank you, thank you.

[mikey1011mikey]

This duet is the ultimate version of this aria. There is no other version. Their timing is perfect. Their pitch and tone and every little note is perfection. They are truly magical together!!!!

[hobo1975]

why do u play with the sound?

[mimsings]

This is the only version that makes me cry.

[8cccpeevostokzempf]

@mimsings It chokes me up.

[greenrate]

Well, I try this on women . . . all the time.

And I NEVER get a response like Tebaldi's in this video.

Guess . . . they don't make them like that any more.

[leoniemikele]

This is amazing. I'm going to try to find it. Thanks so much for posting.

[maleficare]

I really enjoy the stage play, as well! Very good acting, especially on Tebaldi's behalf. And the voices...o ciel...

[E19103]

Very clever modulation at 1:44 in Mimi's line "V'aspettan gli amici" which casts the remainder of the duet down half a step. No demerits for this.

[VivaRenata]

Min älskade Renata.

[maxhansendk]

And remember! Jussi was a Swede...Italian was not his first language like it was for Tebaldi and many others...

If you put Jussis language barrier into the mix - Surely you must realise Jussi Bjorling was a singer that comes around once every 1000 years...

[Brainrefill]

And they did it -high c - behind screens-behind curtains

[wolfgangtheophilus]

soberbio, me pone la piel de gallina

[sevcik2]

It is a real joy to listen to them both ...great artists!!!

[VivaRenata]

För Liselotte! Om du inte hört, eller sett. Strunt i det svartvita men se lilla korta Jussi som stödjer Tebaldi som alltid hade svårt med scenografin pga de skador hon fått från polion. Hon var den största i sitt fack och åstadkom detta trots svåra fysiska handikapp. Och hennes Gudstro och livsattityd hörs i varenda ton. Nu får det räcka! Jag är härdad men snart kommer tårarna (igen).

[coltsowl]

Are they entertaining God !!!

I feel lucky to have heard this heavenly sent gift!!!

[MikeDrewYT]

In addition to the singing, her acting is beautiful, especially 2:05-2:20.

[urbanangel13]

goodness what a set of lungs on them!! wonderful!!

[borlange11]

Isn't it strange that, after listening to Jussi since 1958, I still get tears in my eyes of this way of singing? I regret Jussi ended this poetic duet not in the same way as in the Beecham version.

Yes indeed, the video and I think also the sound quality, is better than I ever heard.

Thanks for posting this!

[pollardsboar]

I first saw this opera as a 19 year old at Newcastle Theatre Royal( Iam now 71) I thank God my music teacher at chool introduced me to classical music so that I could appreciate such wonderful sounds. JB plus RT must be one of the greatest pairings ever in opera.

[RudySunseeker]

0.38 just kills me every time and that´s just the beginning.

Thank you so much.

[ILuvEdwardCullen1724]

I first heard Bjoerling as a child in the 1960's and I still have not heard better in the last 50 years. Tebaldi was also wonderful. What a tragedy that he died at 49.

[MGMpresentsSEB]

MAGICAL!!!!!!!!!!!!

[seektheforce]

What is the high note at the end?

[deda49]

Thank you for this post. Bjorling and Tebaldi are without doubt the most sublime.

[thfromrichmond]

Here we have a performance done over 50 years ago in black and white with mono sound and I have tears in my eyes and goose bumps on my arms. I am no expert, but for me, this is the performance I use as the standard to judge the others. Thanks to YouTube the world can see and hear this timeless performance.

[punknn08]

he has a good voice, but hers is AMAZING!!!

[JaneJ7]

I saw the Donald Braswell and Melissa Perry video of this song they sang at the Sara benefit. Wonderful song, fantastic voices. Donald has a magnificent voice. I love this clip with Jessi thanks for putting it up.

[Paulol100]

I wish Donald Braswell and Melissa Perry would record this... They just sang this duet at a

"Songs for Sara concert in NJ USA.

they were awesome.

[aaronsande]

Wonderful clip, just came across it! Thanks for posting, GOS!

It was nice of the great Tebaldi to do her best not to drown out my beloved Jussi! She tried, and mostly succeeded ;D

[primobaritono77]

And so these two titans of the opera world close that door and we hear their radiant voices soaring into the heavens, and this is all we have left of them to remember. A treasured black and white video.

[Beeldbuizert]

I noticed that for the first minute and a half or so, the shadows on the wall left of Tebaldi sporadically converge into the image of a spirit singing along (at least as seen from the screen of my laptop at night w/ artificial light to the back of it).

[teatrumuzical]

Brava la soprana!

[FD2143]

BRAVA IL TENORE!!!

[Erdrick345]

I do believe that this is the preeminent recording. Jussi is one of the greatest tenors of all time, Caruso, Gigli, Bjoerling in my opinion were the greatest. Tibaldi can act well in addition to her fine voice. Acting was Jussi's weak point..but better to have a truly great voice.

[4caeruleus]

Wow! This really is a fine recording.

At the beginning, listen to Björling but watch Tebaldi. She is standing a few feet from one of the greatest voices of all time, and the look of pure delight on her face is wonderful to see.

Björlings voice is unbelievably luscious and resonant in the opening phrases: they caught him here in astonishingly glorious voice!

Thanks so much for posting this version.

[tebaldicallas]

He love to sing with Tebaldi.

[kampenwand1900]

a sheer delight !

[marinmusiker]

Världens två vackraste röster tillsammans. Vilken lycka!

[mgdoom]

Renata Tebaldi is awesome!

[gigie555]

I swear this is a piece of history. Youtube don't ever delete these 3 videos. Bjorling and Tebaldi had a healthy respect for each other. It's as if each singer was driving the other one to further heights. Incredible. I said earlier Freni and Pavarotti came close, but I was wrong. Nothing comes close. And it's so delightful to actually see them perform together as well as hearing their incredible voices in unison.

[mozzrt]

But when they recorded Turandot together, Tebaldi caused a lot of irritation because she didn't know her stuff, and had difficulties all the time. Jussi was irritated as he always knew his part.

[aristopus]

@gigie555 So right, this is the quintessential love duet in all opera. All right, so the Act I duet from Tosca is pretty high up there. And the duet from Madame Butterfly ain't bad.

The Act 1 love duet from Otello enters my mind. But Boheme, is among the greatest ever.

[zlatantillifk]

@gigie555 Oh I have reflected upon the same. They really seemed to enjoy singing and working together. I have in fact even tried to google on this subject. For instance what were Tebaldis thaughts on Björling and vice versa!? Yes indeed these three acts they produced are amazing and they seem in stunning form...

[jhb134]

@zlatantillifk - Good question, about Tebaldi and Bjorling. I've sent an e-mail to the main man of the Jussi Bjorling Society, in America, on that topic. Maybe can give you an answer, pretty soon; it's NO doubt that Tebaldi and Bjorling respected what they could do, in duets in the passionate, Puccini arias.

[zlatantillifk]

@jhb134 That is a splendid idea, jhb134. It will be very interesting to here the outcome of that. Sadly I belong to the last generation of swedes who knew about this world class singer. He should be much more mentioned in swedish media. I´ll tell my little daughter about him though :).

Kind Regard Mårten South Western Sweden

[jhb134]

@zlatantillifk - Marten: Thanks for the reply. I've learned that Mr. Shea has recently suffered a mild stroke, and is recovering. He referred me to Renata's biography for a complete description of her thoughts about JussiB; I'll try to find it at a local/other libraray, and see what it says .... given time. I think your country needs to CONSISTENTLY remind itself about the great tenor, so that he doesn't fade in collective memory. Hope that your daughter can learn about him ...

[zlatantillifk]

@jhb134 I hope he´s feeling better Mr. Shea. I sincerely look forward to hearing the contents of biography concerning her thoughts about Jussi. I know for a fact that Jussi thought she had an immensely strong voice. Like singing against two sopranos. We can clearly see in this video for certain their mutual respect for each other. My favourite video of these two though is the other one, act 1, that is Che Gelida Manina. There one can really witness her sincere joy of listening to him. Mårten

[jhb134]

@zlatantillifk - Thanks, Marten; I think that BOTH/Puccini videos show Bjorling and Tebaldi, to great effect. I'll find the Tebaldi bio, when possible, and give an exact rendition of her, own thoughts. ... Jussi had a somewhat checkered career, incl. marital infidelity and the alcohol problem, but his talent/delivery always overcame lesser/minor flaws, IMO.

[zlatantillifk]

@jhb134 Thank you Sir! We´ll keep in touch my friend! Looking forward to hearing her story....

Mårten

[jhb134]

@zlatantillifk - Thank YOU, Marten! ... I don't often look-through books about classical singing, but WILL investigate the story of Tebaldi and Bjorling, and their mutual admirations. I've never known ANYone, who doesn't respect the singing/legacy of Renata T and Jussi B, whether they were together or apart/separately, in any recording that they left behind. The DISCLIPINE, and uniqueness, of both he and her, in tonal quality, delivery, and other hallmarks, are unsurpassable ... unforgettable!

[zlatantillifk]

@jhb134 That´s right. The fact that both were very disciplined, well schooled and always being perfectionists strengthens the theory we have that these two particularly enjoyed working together. Tebaldi came from the old italian school and I think in fact even preferred the somewhat laid-back style of Björling. According to me these were the perfect pairing. In contrast to what many believe I think his melancolic voice is perfectly suited to this aria. The expresionistic style of voice suits it.

[Welverance]

@gigie555 troppo vero!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rob262]

magnificient !

goosebumps here at 0:38 :D

thanks for posting the video

[sefferpot]

German! i agree, this is really better quality !

[crooner62]

Thank you for this beautiful posting &, yes, the visual quality is excellent!

I have the two arias and this duet from Producer's Showcase (Live Broadcast!) from a video tape I bought from PBS about 5 years ago for about $30. It is called "The Art of Singing: Golden Voices of the Century" from NVC Arts (1996) and includes a range of singers captured on film and tv from the teens thru the 1970s.

I don't know if they performed more of La Boheme on this broadcast, but I'm grateful to have this!

[RudySunseeker]

As good as it ever gets, anybody would have given his/her right arm to have been there. Would be interesting to listen to somebody who actually was.

[wop9999]

Why does he have to SCREAM out an unwritten high C at the end?

[soulierinvestments]

When you can do it, do it. It's not like the liberetto or score are scriptures.

[madisonelectronic]

One it was not screamed out and two the C was not written into Che Gelida Manina either. (in my very non-expert opinion).

[jhgreenhorn]

you're so lame! it's tradition! puccini himself approved of it!

[Palmettoguy1]

Wondeful...thanks for posting.

And you are correct, the quality is outstanding.

[pasfresh123]

1:44 v'aspettan gli amici... what happened there? isn't it supposed to go up on mici?

[hgburgin]

Voila! yess my friend, this is VERY rare. Have to go up in AMICI.

[Jawbreaker1000]

There's no questioning Bjorlings greatness: none to match him. But Tebaldi is bit too spinto for my liking. The duet with La Victoria de los Angeles is better.

[Chiliarches]

I concur on both counts. though it's still a pleasure to hear this.

So try Bergonzi/Tebaldi if you don't like her here. I actually don't remember how it sounds, but they would be a bit more matched for each other. :)

[seomoonho]

the legendary and fantastic Duet of Opera La Boheme that I ever fill with Joyfull....

[zciweslab]

I usually don't care for the tenor going up to high C at the end of the duet, but I don't mind this one.

[GermanOperaSinger]

You can barely hear Bjorling over Tebaldi though.

[ConservatoryLife]

Well my friend this is science. When a tenor goes up that hight agist a soprano she always wins. It's the way the ear picks up the frequencies.

[VivaRenata]

Who cares?.... thanking German Opera Singer who posted this, this is why I always cared more about German opera, from Mozart to Wagner and Berg .... this idiocy about the high notes. There really is more to Italian opera as well, just watch this clip!

[ericgj]

@GermanOperaSinger Yes, but her C6 is his first overtone, so maybe it's not so bad. And she was a fine actress, to be sure. Jussi sings a great deal of the duet facing up stage. Was the clip from a TV broadcast? My favorite La Bohème is the Beecham conducted recording with Bjoerling, de los Angelos, Merrill and a very young Lucine Amara.

[wiseroldfart]

@GermanOperaSinger: Bjorling's voice apparently wasn't all that loud, but what quality! And Tebaldi? How lucky we are to see and hear these two legends together!

[Nicrhind]

@zciweslab I agree with you; when the tenor sings the end of the duet as written I find it not only more harmonically pleasing but heartbreaking as well. It's as if Rodolfo realises he's just fallen in love with a women who is terminally ill.

[danielleosimpson]

@zciweslab But then when/where am I going to hear the F/E for tenor cadence written in the score? I'm not clear as to why tenors double the soprano when that's clearly not what Puccini has written in the score...

[hobo197]

too much echo!

[pearlmuth3]

this is great quality as good as it ever was.