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In keeping with Sweden's Tenor Jussi Björling's tradition of open-air recitals at Skansen and Gröna Lund in Stockholm, the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival is proud to present the Jussi Björling Tribute Open-Air Concert (under tent cover!) at 4 pm, June 21, 2009 at the Scandinavian Community Centre starring local Tenor Richard Tyce and the Solstice Orchestra.

An international superstar, Jussi Björling (1911-1960) has been described as one of the best opera singers of the century.

Richard Tyce will perform pieces Björling was world renowned for, including "E lucevan le stelle" by Puccini and "The Pearl Fishers Duet" by Bizet. Critics have praised Richard's sweet and lyrical voice, which suits a Björling tribute well.

Teaming up with Conductor Bujar Llapage, guest singer Willy Miles-Grenzberg and the 30-person Solstice Orchestra, Richard has put together a program that will captivate all age groups that includes famous Scandinavian pieces such as "Finlandia" by Jean Sibelius.

In addition, Richard will premier his own original English lyrics written for music lovers new to the "opera" scene, as well as original "pop-opera" music and original arrangements of opera classics.

Richard Tyce has performed with the Canadian Opera Company, the London Ontario Symphony Orchestra, the Victoria Opera Company, the Modern Baroque Opera Company in both Vancouver and London, England; the Vancouver Chamber Choir and Autumn Leaf Productions in Toronto. An eclectic and multifaceted entertainer, he also performs folk music repertoire throughout the Pacific Northwest.