Recording of Conrad L. Osborne speaking on “What’s Happened to Singing Over the Past Century”
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Events
Gain access to the recording of Conrad L. Osborne speaking on “What’s Happened to Singing Over the Past Century” by becoming a member TODAY!
A musical weekend is planned around two JBS board meetings, with plenty of time for music and fine dining. We are so looking forward to being together again, and hope you will join us in Washington as the cherry blossoms start to bloom!
Following is a description of our weekend and the available options. If you would like to join us for all or any part of this schedule, we would be delighted to have you with us! We can assist with hotel reservations for anyone flying in.
We arrive in Washington.
5 pm
Dinner - restaurant TBA
Following dinner, attendees may plan to attend one of the following performances at the Kennedy Center:
7 pm
Songbird. Jazz meets operetta in this playful new production of Jacques Offenbach’s La Périchole. Offenbach’s comedic love story is transported to the glimmer and corruption of New Orleans during Prohibition. Washington National Opera at Eisenhower Theater.
7:30 pm
Dongpo: Life in Poems. International acclaimed choreographer Shen Wei returns to the Kennedy Center with his latest contemporary operatic dance. Kennedy Center Opera House
8 pm
Classics in Concert: Timeless Favorites. An evening of popular classics. National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by José Luis Gomez, Kennedy Center Concert Hall.
Attendees have a free morning; board members are in session 10 am to 1 pm.
1:30 pm Brunch at Le Diplomate, a Parisian-style brasserie in historic Washington
Following brunch, attendees may choose from the following performances and concerts:
3 pm and 7 pm Shear Madness: Set in present-day Georgetown, this popular comedy engages audience members as armchair detectives to help solve the scissor-stabbing murder of a famed concert pianist who lives above the Shear Madness unisex hairstyling salon. Kennedy Center Theater Lab
4 pm David Beatty Organ Concert – The concert organist from Annapolis performs on the Lively-Fulcher organ in the lovely setting of the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America, NE Washington
4 pm Choral Evensong – the weekly music service featuring the Cathedral Choir and massive organ at the beautiful Washington National Cathedral
Board members are in session 10 am to 1 pm.
Attendees have a free day in Washington. The Cherry Blossom Festival begins in a few days, so the trees should already be beautiful. A good day for shopping, visiting the national museums (which are open on Mondays), or taking a historic tour of the city.
6 pm
Dinner at the Roof Terrace Restaurant, Kennedy Center
8 pm
Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, music Director Lahav Shani, conducting. Superstar pianist Daniil Trifonov joins the renowned orchestra for Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 9 "Jeunehomme.” Also on the program are excerpts from Sergei Prokofiev's Roméo and Juliet, and Arvo Pärt's moving and contemplative Swansong. Kennedy Center Concert Hall.
Depart.
Hotel: Non-locals will be staying at the Club Quarters Hotel, 839 17th Street NW, at the JBS group rate of $224 per night. Attendees will pay the hotel with their own credit card at check-in.
Meals listed on this schedule: JBS will make reservations; separate checks.
Performance Tickets: JBS has group tickets to the Rotterdam Philharmonic, and may be able to increase the numbers. Attendees are asked to arrange for their own tickets to other Kennedy Center performances in advance.
Museum tickets: The national museums are free admittance, but may require reservations. Attendees should make these in advance.
Transportation: We can certainly “buddy up” for taxi and Uber transportation. Washington also has an extensive Metro.
JBS group reservations for Rotterdam Philharmonic, hotel rooms, and restaurants will need to be updated and in place by March 4.
IF YOU WISH TO JOIN US FOR ALL OR PART OF THIS WEEKEND, PLEASE CONTACT JANEL LUNDGREN NO LATER THAN MARCH 4 at tonerna@myfairpoint.net
JBS-USA is once again privileged to present the American master of opera critics in a special Zoom presentation for the Society on Tuesday, February 20 at 7:30 pm ET., which will be repeated on Saturday, February 24 at 12 noon ET. Following the presentation will be a Q & A segment, to which attendees may submit questions.
JBS-USA is privileged to present Jussi’s son Lars Björling in a special Zoom presentation from Sweden for the Jussi Björling Society USA on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 7:30 pm ET., which will be repeated on Saturday, August 26 at 12 noon ET. Following the presentation will be a Q & A segment, to which attendees may submit questions.
JBS-USA is privileged to present Jussi’s son Lars Björling in a special Zoom presentation from Sweden for the Jussi Björling Society USA on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 7:30 pm ET., which will be repeated on Saturday, August 26 at 12 noon ET. Following the presentation will be a Q & A segment, to which attendees may submit questions.
A Zoom Presentation for JBS-USA on Tuesday, June 6 at 7:30 pm ET
Repeated on Saturday, June 10 at 12 noon ET
In addition to celebrating Jussi’s career, we will be adding extra activities and remembrances of 25 years of JBS-USA.
A Zoom Presentation for JBS-USA on Tuesday, October 25 at 7:30 pm ET
Repeated on Saturday, October 29 at 12 noon ET
GROUP TICKETS SOLD OUT! On FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 15, the Jussi Björling Society has made plans to attend the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, a concert performance of Act II of Tristan und Isolde, featuring Stephen Gould and Christine Goerke, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda. To join us for the concert at a group price of $70, SIGN UP HERE <more…>
JBS Arrives in Stockholm, Part 1
by Janel Lundgren
The Jussi Björling Society - USA began its 20th anniversary year last November with a successful conference in Washington, D.C. at the beautiful Swedish Embassy. To conclude this banner year, from August 30 to September 5, 2018, twenty-three members of the Society took our celebrations to Sweden itself for six days of music, travel, and friendship.
We started in Stockholm on Thurdsay, August 30th with a concert at Berwaldhallen, the Swedish Radio Concert Hall, with tickets arranged for us by Nils-Göran Olve. A part of the Baltic Sea Festival, the concert featured the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Giedrė Šlekytė. The program began with a thrilling performance of the Esa-Pekka Salonen's Piano Concerto, with Andrius Žlabys, pianist. The performers of this powerful work received thunderous applause.
Following intermission, came a grand rendition of Raminta Šerkšnytė's Songs of Sunset and Dawn, with four guest soloists and the Swedish Radio Choir joining in. The composer herself was in attendance, and joined the performers for multiple bows to a standing ovation.
Next day, members enjoyed a free Friday morning in Stockholm. Many opted for a walking tour of the immediate area and Gamla Stan, led by Nils-Göran Olve, who provided a rich narrative about the city and its history. We then boarded the afternoon train to Hudiksvall, in time for a boisterous dinner at the Quality Hotell Statt. <more…>
by Janel E. Lundgren
This celebratory, international conference opened with an optional event on Friday evening, November 17th, with members attending a dress rehearsal of Bellini's opera La straniera, performed by the Washington Concert Opera in Lissner Auditorium. The company's rehearsal/performance was impressive, and a welcome opportunity to hear this infrequently performed opera from the bel canto repertoire. <more...>
By Walter B. Rudolph
Immediately after arriving by boat in New York City, Jussi and Anna-Lisa Björling flew to Provo, Utah where he gave his first American performance for the 1939-40 season on November 20th, 1939 in the Provo Tabernacle (photo).
Revealing a golden tenor voice of rare beauty, Jussi Bjoerling, of Metropolitan Opera fame, sang his way into the hearts of more than 2000 people at the University-Community concert Monday night in the tabernacle. (The Daily Herald, November 21, 1939)
Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK
No. 20 - November 2011
Although there is an huge slate of exciting events planned for 2011 in Sweden, many of our members here may not wish to travel that far (or that expensively!). With that in mind, the Jussi Björling Society-USA will host a commemorative conference in St. Peter, MN, at Gustavus Adolphus College, June 22-26 of 2011.
In a powerful impulse of national pride, H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf has become the official patron of the Jussi Björling centennial celebrations. The centennial committee has also gathered in a tremendous financial contribution from Swedish real estate magnate Stefan Sundh, (coincidentally, Bengt Krantz’s cousin), and a sizeable award from Barbro Osher’s Pro Suecia Foundation. There were also two smaller private donations.
Come to the MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL FINALE CONCERT - a tribute to the great Swedish singer
JUSSI BJÖRLING featuring Vancouver tenor Richard Tyce
By David Hill
After arriving in Stockholm (July 10), we bid a fond farewell to our bus driver, Björn, and most of our Swedish companions, and boarded the Silja-line ferry Symphony for Helsinki. The ship was more of a floating shopping mall than a cruise ship, but a good time was had by all as we spread ourselves from Commodore Class to Steerage. Some of us slept, some took in the Casino and bar, and Don thought that he had been able to get a glimpse of Sairo. A peaceful night, the Baltic was very calm, and by daylight we were steaming amongst the islands of the Helsinki archipelago.
The 2007 Summer JBS Swedish safari opened on July 4th in Borlänge at the Jussi Björling Museum there, a place that some of us regard as the “center of the universe.” This year’s Museum program was unusual in the emphasis on singers other than JB, and on aspects of Jussi in areas other than singing. Really. Harald welcomed all with good cheer (and a new haircut), and we got a running start on a couple of very full days.
John Steane gave his talk unscripted. This is an edited version, preserving the spoken idiom but reconstructed slightly for purposes of readability.
Ladies and gentlemen, I bring greetings for the conference from Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. She asked me the other day: “What are you doing?” And although that question may sound a little accusatory it was in fact very friendly and I said: “I’m going to Stockholm.” She said: “Oh! How lovely! What are you doing there?” And so I told her. And she said: “Ah! I sang with him you know. And it was one of the great events in my life.” She said: “Will you please give my kinds regards to all the people present and tell them how I join with them in honouring a great artist and a very great man.” So I pass these greetings on to you from her.
Jürgen Kesting is a prominent German music critic and author of the monumental three-volume Die grossen Sänger as well as of highly original studies of Callas and Pavarotti. In his lecture “The exception to every rule: the role of the tenor since Caruso,” Kesting provided a fascinating examination of Björling’s position among singers and key features of his vocal technique.
Fans of the late Swedish tenor Jussi Björling converged on Stockholm and Borlänge, Sweden, during September 8th-13th. They came from all around the world to attend an International Congress that chronicled Björling’s extraordinary life and career.
Let’s take one more look at our October 2002 conference: One way to get a sense of the occasion is to look at the actual program for that event. You’ll find a facsimile of the program below, along with a transcript of Regina Resnik’s especially insightful reminiscences of Jussi made during George Jellinek’s panel program on October 26.
All contributions to JBS-USA are fully deductible to the extent provided by law. The Jussi Björling Society - USA, Inc. is incorporated as a non-profit organization. All officers of the Society are volunteers and receive no compensation or other financial benefits.