Jussi Bjorling : Donna non vidi mai .Live at the Met 1956 : newly restored : colourized photos.

This aria is from a radio broadcast complete performance, at the Metropolitan Opera New York, of Puccini's opera Manon Lescaut.
I have heard it said that Jussi did not have a very large voice and that in live performance it was not always possible to hear him clearly. Not having had the pleasure of hearing him sing live I can't dispute that but, even though the audio quality is poor in this recording, in comparison to that of today, I think it demonstrates well that in the correct circumstances on stage (positioning in relation to microphone, orchestra etc) the power of Jussi's voice was more than adequate in live performance and the audience reaction at the end seems to confirm this.

Видео Jussi Bjorling : Donna non vidi mai .Live at the Met 1956 : newly restored : colourized photos. канала Michael McGrail