Björling, Jussi

orig. Johan Jonaton Björling

(born Feb. 2, 1911, Stora Tuna, Swed.—died Sept. 9, 1960, Siarö) Swedish tenor. He began to sing in public as a child and toured Europe and the U.S. with his family. Recruited by the Royal Swedish Opera in 1928, he was soon a star performer. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1938 as Rodolfo in . He remained in Sweden during World War II but returned to the Met for several seasons afterward. He became a favourite on stage and in recordings for the sheer beauty and musicality of his singing.

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