Description

CARL JOHAN JACOB FORSELL (STOCKHOLM, 6 NOVEMBER, 1868 – STOCKHOLM, 30 MAY, 1941)

 

 

 

 

He made his operatic debut at the Royal Swedish Opera, Stockholm, in 1896 as Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia. He would remain its premiere baritone for some 30 years. He would also establish an international career, singing for example at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in 1909/1910, performing such parts as Tonio in Pagliacci, Amfortas in Parsifal, Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Telramund in Lohengrin, Germont in La traviata and Yeletsky in The Queen of Spades. The title role in Mozart’s Don Giovanni was probably his most famous interpretation. He sang the part numerous times, including during the 1909 season at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, and at the 1930 Salzburg Festival. Among the other major European cities in which Forsell sang the Don and various leading parts were Copenhagen, Berlin, Amsterdam and Vienna. Forsell become the Director (Intendant) of the Royal Swedish Opera in 1923/24, and performed less frequently on stage as a consequence. His voice, however, remained in fine condition. As late as on his 70th birthday, he sang Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro by Mozart. He retired from his director’s position in May 1939 and died in Stockholm two years later. In addition to his administrative duties at Stockholm’s opera house during the 1920s and ’30s, Forsell taught voice as a professor of singing at the Stockholm Conservatory of Music. His pupils included Jussi Björling, Hjördis Schymberg, Joel Berglund and Set Svanholm.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1896-1918 Stockholm Royal Swedish Opera

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Aftonsång (Berg) 7-82000 13496o(sm) Gramophone, Stockholm 1916-12-28
2. Aida (Verdi) Duett (A te grave cagion) (w. Lyckseth-Schjerven) 84083 10280u G&T, Stockholm 1907-02-16/17
3. Alt vandrer maanen sin vej i kvæld (Sjögren) V176 BE626-1 Gramophone, Stockholm 1922-09-04
4. Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Brevduett (Dunque io son) (w. Hellström) 84059 2745e G&T, Stockholm 1905-10
5. Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Faktotumsarian 082015 0717v G&T, Stockholm 1907-02-1617
6. Carmen (Bizet) Toreadorsången 2-82491 10276u G&T, Stockholm 1907-02-16/17
7. De fångna (Rangström) M38 25AR Gramophone, Stockholm 1920-09-06
8. Den nalkande stormen (Geijer) 82501 815c G&T, Stockholm 1903-03
9. Den skeppsbrutna (A F Lindblad) 2-082004 305p(sm) Gramophone, Stockholm 1916-12-28
10. Den store hvide flok (Grieg) (soloist with Grammophonkvartetten) 67846-A  67846A Victor, USA
11. Den svenske celadons klagovisa (Eriksson) V94 720Am Gramophone, Stockholm 1920-09-06
12. Don Giovanni (Mozart) Champagnearian (Finch’han dal vino) 82944 2707e G&T, Stockholm 1905-10
13. Don Giovanni (Mozart) Du bör ej fruktan bära (Là ci darem la mano) (w. Hellström) 84064 2741e G&T, Stockholm 1905-10
14. Don Giovanni (Mozart) Serenad 82701 608z G&T, Stockholm 1903-03
15. Dryckesvisa (Sjögren) 82857 1334e G&T, Stockholm 1904-10
16. Du gamla du fria (trad) 67937-A 67937A Victor, USA
17. Elijah (Mendelssohn) Det vare nog M39 28AR Gramophone, Stockholm 1920-09-08
18. Ett folk (Stenhammar) Sverige 7-82077 13511o(sm) Gramophone, Stockholm 1916-12-30
19. Ett Helicons blomster (Rangström) V173 BE701-2 Gramophone, Stockholm 1922-09-09
20. Eugen Onegin (Tchaikovsky) Om ödet mig behagat giva 2-082006 309p(sm) Gramophone, Stockholm 1916-12-29