orig. Johan Jonaton Björling
born Feb. 2, 1911, Stora Tuna, Swed.
died Sept. 9, 1960, Siarö
Swedish tenor.
He began to sing in public as a child and toured Europe and the U.S. with his family. Recruited by the Royal Swedish Opera in 1928, he was soon a star performer. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1938 as Rodolfo in La Bohème . He remained in Sweden during World War II but returned to the Met for several seasons afterward. He became a favourite on stage and in recordings for the sheer beauty and musicality of his singing.