Tearing down what's left of socialism - Newly elected conservative PM of Sweden plans brisk reforms

www.thelocal.se ^ | 09/24/2006 | Delphine Toitou - AFP

[linda_22003]

Yes, in Sweden. I didn't know him from Adam, so I took his opinions with a grain of salt. Especially after he told me that my favorite tenor, Jussi Bjoerling, was buried in the church across the street (this was in the cafe at the Opera House in Stockholm), when I know he's buried in his home town of Stora Tuna. ;)

[WesternCulture]

"Yes, in Sweden. I didn't know him from Adam, so I took his opinions with a grain of salt. Especially after he told me that my favorite tenor, Jussi Bjoerling, was buried in the church across the street (this was in the cafe at the Opera House in Stockholm), when I know he's buried in his home town of Stora Tuna. ;)

- And he probably knows even less about GWB..

Through the internet I've become aware how appreciated Björling is by several american opera enthusiasts.

The best example of this I guess is the Jussi Björling Society of the US.

http://www.jussibjorlingsociety.com/

As a swede and an admirer of Björling I enjoyed reading these words coming from an american society of opera enthusiasts;

quote (from the site mentioned above) "Jussi Björling’s flawless vocal technique, silvery beauty of tone, gleaming upper register, and superb interpretive skills have made him one of the greatest and most beloved tenors of the century. Numerous colleagues as well as music critics have long placed Jussi at the very pinnacle of vocal excellence. It was to Jussi that Dorothy Caruso, widow of Enrico Caruso, said, "You are the only one worthy to wear his mantle, bear Rico’s crown!"

I wish more swedes appreciated Björling to the extent these people, apparently, do.

[linda_22003]

I knew I wasn't alone. ;) If you have it, or can find it on the 'net, listen to Jussi's version of "Nessun dorma", from Turandot. Franco Corelli did a technically excellent recording of the opera, but the way Bjoerling does the final attack on "Vincero" makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck, no matter how many times I've heard it.

(I forgot to say, we also stopped in Gotland on the cruise, and Visby was an unexpected treat!)

[WesternCulture]

"I knew I wasn't alone. ;) If you have it, or can find it on the 'net, listen to Jussi's version of "Nessun dorma", from Turandot. Franco Corelli did a technically excellent recording of the opera, but the way Bjoerling does the final attack on "Vincero" makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck, no matter how many times I've heard it.

(I forgot to say, we also stopped in Gotland on the cruise, and Visby was an unexpected treat!)"

Concerning recordings of Björling;

- I fully agree the "Nessun Dorma" recording highlights many of Björlings qualities. Compare it to for instance the way Beniamino Gigli performed this piece. Gigli was a great tenor, but in my ears Björling was even greater.

Another recording I also feel clearly illustrates how gifted and not the least TECHNICALLY superior Björling really was is in fact "O, sole mio".
This "popular" tune is something you imagine ordinary people singing in the narrow side streets of Naples on a sunny day after the day's first glass of wine, but to sing it like Björling did requires ability that some would say even Caruso weren't in possession of.

Concerning Sweden as a tourist destination;

- Both Stockholm and Gotland are very appealing places, to say the least. I'm not surprised a so many foreigners visit them.

However, I would say Skåne/Scania, the southernmost part of Sweden, especially the south eastern part called Österlen, is even more magnificent.

http://www.skane.com/cmarter/cmarter.asp?doc=1367

(I wish there was a site that really did justice to this part of Europe, but this one is the best I could find).

Österlen can compete with Provence (France) and Tuscany (Italy) in areas like:

- Beauty of the countryside
- Gourmet food
- Palaces and castles
- Art galleries and art activities (perhaps not art MUSEUMS though)
- Relaxing, rural lifestyle and overall "tempo"

If you ever get the chance in life, try cruising around on the small, winding rural roads in a nice car (preferably a DRIVERS car like BMW, SAAB or Porsche) of Österlen and explore the aspects mentioned above.
In my opinion, it even beats Stockholm and Gotland.

[linda_22003]

Thank you for the suggestions! :) I hope to see a great deal more of Sweden as time goes on.

[Mentat]

Visby is a World Heritage site, so it should be nice....

As for GW Bush, it is not surprising that swedes view him negatively. The press never, and I really _mean_ never, writes anything positive about him. Of course this affects peoples view of him.

Michael Moore's films however, they are shown by the public service television....