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. Min själ längtar och trängtar (Davids ps 84) (Wennerberg) 67943-B 67943B Victor, USA
2. Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) Grevens aria (Vedro mentr’io) 2-82614 7035e Gramophone, Stockholm 1907-10
3. Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) Hur kan du grymma flicka (Crudel perché finora) (w. Hellström) 84070 2740e G&T, Stockholm 1905-10
4. Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Prolog 082065 449ac Gramophone, Stockholm 1912-08-23
5. Rigoletto (Verdi) Monolog (Pari siamo) 2-082002 306p(sm) Gramophone, Stockholm 1916-12-29
6. Ro ro ögonsten (Sjögren) 82815 437e G&T, Stockholm 1904-02
7. Säf, säf, susa (Sibelius) 2-82889 775ah Gramophone, Stockholm 1910-10-13
8. Skärslipargossen (Geijer) 82754 610z G&T, Stockholm 1903-03
9. Skymning (Järnefelt) 2-82896 11592b Gramophone, Stockholm 1908-10
10. Sommarnatten (Rangström) V89 677Am Gramophone, Stockholm 1920-09-01
11. Svarta rosor (Sibelius) 2-82564 7044e G&TGramophone, Stockholm 1907-10
12. Tannhäuser (Wagner) Sången till aftonstjärnan 82700 607z G&T, Stockholm 1903-03
13. Tannhäuser (Wagner) Sången till aftonstjärnan 82987 2710e G&T, Stockholm 1905-10
14. Trovatore (Verdi) Hennes skönhet öfverstrålar (Il balen) 82943 2704e G&T, Stockholm 1905-10
15. Trovatore (Verdi) Ser du, af tårar (Mira d’acerbe) (w. Hellström) 84066 2744e G&T, Stockholm 1905-10
16. Vallarelåt (Widéen) 82500 814c G&T, Stockholm 1903-03
17. Vårt land (Pacius) 67943-A 67943A Victor, USA
18. Visor och stämningar (Stenhammar) Det far ett skepp V92 13502o(sm) Gramophone, Stockholm 1916-12-28
19. Visor och stämningar (Stenhammar) Lycklandsresan V92 13503o(sm) Gramophone, Stockholm 1916-12-28
20. Walküre (Wagner) Der Augen leuchtendes Paar 042475 1242s Gramophone, Berlin 1913-10-28