Jussi Björling 
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Swedish tenor who lived from February, 1911 to 9 September, 1960. Born in Borlänge, Sweden (NW of Stockholm). His father was a singing teacher and as a result his children learned to sing at a very early age. Björling and two of his oldest brothers toured with their father in Sweden and the US from 1919-1921. He later studied opera with John Forsell.
Opera Debut[]
1928 Björling began studying at the Stockholm Conservatory. Then in 1930 he made his professional operatic debut as the Lamplighter in Manon Lescaut at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm in 1930. This was followed soon after in August 1930 with his official debut at the Royal Opera in Stockholm in Mozart's Don Giovanni as Don Ottavio. Björling made his American concert debut at the Carnegie Hall in 1937.
Career & Major Performances []
During the 1940s and 50s, with a break during WWII, he worked as one of the principal singers at the Metropolitan Opera. His first performance here was as Rodolfo in La Bohème.