Search - Puccini, Bjorling :: La Boheme Acts #1 #3 & #4

Bluebell Does It Again!

S.A. Tiger | San Antonio, TX United States | 01/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Bluebell label has blessed Bjoerling fans again with a CD of "never before released" live recordings. Bjoerling is thrilling in the Tosca selections. His "E lucevan le stelle" is a balanced mixture of emotions and flawless vocal technique. I had never heard Kjerstin Dellert before I purchased this CD and was pleasantly surprised by her singing. The sound on this CD is acceptable. I think when you listen to any historic recording of a legendary artist, the sound quality should not be criticized. These recordings are treasures that transcend sound quality criticisms.The real gem on this CD is the "bonus track", and I think that it in itself worth the price. This recording of "Nessun dorma" from 1944 is arguably the finest rendition ever recorded. It is definitely the finest recording of the aria by Bjoerling."

Jussi Bjoerling has done it again - surpass himself

S.A. Tiger | 08/12/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a magnificient version of Nessun dorma in this CD! I have never heard it be singing like this. It goes very slow, which makes the aria extremly difficult to sing, but Bjoerling is one hundred percent capable. The result is a masterpiece of a singer which must be regarded as one of this centuries greatest singers."

Nessum Dorma makes this a must-have

S.A. Tiger | 06/20/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a must.I guess the Boheme/Tosca excerpts are for Björling fanatics and for those chosen few who actually find unison audience coughing exotic, only. Of course, given the choice, you should buy the complete Beecham/Leinsdorf versions respectively. The sound is not all that bad with Björling shining on the -59 Tosca. He dominates with solid powerful performances on E Lucevan Stelle and Amaro Sol per Te, but he is also well supported by Kerstin Dellert who was a dominating figure during the Pre-Nilsson Swedish era.Björling sounds more dry and tired on La Boheme, recorded in 1957, but this may be due to bad recording conditions. Che Gelida Manina is interesting as it is performed in very slow tempo, but it does not come close to previous Björling recordings of the piece, like the 1951 version recorded in New York. The cast, with the exception of Bjorling, sings in Swedish throughout, which is less of a drawback than you might think. What still makes this CD essential for ANY music lover is the 1944 radio concert bonus track "Nessum Dorma". It is 4 minutes+ of pure heaven, and certainly the best version ever to be recorded by any tenor - ever. The climaxing high B goes way beyond the readings of the work and just stretches on and on with a combination of brute force yet haunting beauty that you will never find elsewhere."