Hugo Hasslo Speaks about Jussi Björling

(From the program of the Jussi Björling Memorial Concert, 1985, Stockholm Konserthuset) When speaking of Jussi Björling, my Norwegian singing teacher would sometimes say, “He is unique as a singer.” And truly Jussi was utterly unique. I don’t know of anyone who sounded like an instrument as he did. He sang like an instrumentalist; that was precisely what he did naturally. He made music. Many singers don’t seem to care much once they become famous. Jussi didn’t do that and therefore was so perfect. His enormously sharp memory surely helped. He never sang anything wrong. I admired him tremendously.