Jussi Björling - The Swedish Caruso [CD de audio] Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Franz Schubert, Georges Bizet, Edvard Grieg,

Just like his Italian colleague Enrico Caruso, who also became the personification of a species of voice as well as representing an entire genre, Jussi Björling certainly stands out from the other important singers of the twentieth century. The Swedish tenor had a voice ''like fire in ice'' and can be enjoyed on this compilation with recordings ranging from early productions made in 1929 up to one of his final concerts in April 1959. The recordings have captured almost all of his vocal facets - from angelic, gentle melodiousness to moments of extraordinary vocal power and charisma. In addition to performing songs from his home country, Björling also excels on Swedish versions of the great tenor arias from Italian and French repertoire. Among the gems on this 10CD collection are the exceptional recordings of German Lieder recorded by Björling in 1939, accompanied by pianist Harry Ebert, as well as the Verdi Requiem under Toscanini and the legendary recording made of La Bohème under Sir