Opera on the Move in the Nordic Countries during the Long 19th ...

The Björling ‘<strong>Opera</strong>’
Illustration 6. The brothers, Jussi, Olle, Kalle and Gösta Björling, together with their cousin
and nursemaid Märta Björling (1904-1997. As payment for the nursing David Björling
promised her singing lessons. He called her “my little Jenny Lind”.
it to be interpreted. The trio’s fame guaranteed the family’s earnings, and
secured David Björling’s educational project (cf. Ling 2009, p. 32).
Differences between the USA and Sweden are significant to the story.
David Björling and his sons were met with scepticism in Sweden. The criticism
was based partly on the exposure of the sons, and partly on the singing
ideal they represented, which contemporary critics considered damaging.
There was also implied criticism of travelling families, which were associated
with rootless people such as the Roma, vagrants and criminals (Karlsson
2002 p. 62). The hard and unpleasant tone of the Swedish establishment
affected David Björling deeply, and the vote of no confidence in him may
have had direct consequences. In spite of the exceptionally frequent concerts,
big cities such as Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö were avoided.
There was naturally more choice in these regions, and much less interest
in countryside talent, but there were also other factors. Stockholm had,
among others, the music critic Wilhelm Peterson-Berger (1867-1942), who
was known for his ruthless treatment of rural talent. He was also of the
opinion that “the flow of prodigies” contaminated European musical life. He
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