Kristina från Duvelmåla Updates

[J. Wilkes Booth]

Posted: 8/1/05 at 4:12pm

I googled in here earlier and found some very intelligent person had started a thread on Kristina från Duvelmåla, the musical by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson of ABBA fame. Now, I can't seem to find that thread, so I am starting a new one. Mods, if you want to combine the two, cool, but please give me directions on how to get there!!!

Who is Kristina från Duvelmåla? Kristina is the wife of Karl Oskar Nilsson, both of whom the Swedish writer Vilhelm Moberg created in the 1950's in a 4-book series called "The Emigrants", about 19th century Swedes emigrating to Amerika. The series largely centers around book #4: "The Last Letter Home".

Why did the guys from ABBA compose a 4-hour musical about these books? You know what, I don't know, but thank God that they did...this is one of the most beautiful, gripping, emotionally powerful musicals out there...besides Rent. I'll mention two songs, okay, maybe more than two... one is "Du Måste Finnas" -- You Must Exist -- Kristina is out in a field in Minnesota, alone under the stars. She has just had a "Missfall" (another song), or a miscarriage, and has been told by the doctor that she must never have relations with her husband again, for if she gets pregnant again, she will die. In essence, she has lost not one, but two to death. This devout Christian woman questions her Creator's existence: for the first time in her life, she asks, "Hur kan Du overje mej?" (How can You abandon me?). She comes to the conclusion, "You Must Exist". I've never heard such a powerful performance of a song on any stage, by any artist. The singer on the original cast soundtrack, which you can find for just over $40 (3-disc set and booklet with all of the lyrics) at http://www.amazon.com , is Helen Sjöholm, who was just 25 years old when it was recorded.

Then there's "Hemma", in which Kristina tells her youngest, the first Swedish American in her family, of "Home", singing of a place she will never see again.

In "I Gott Bevar" (In Good Keeping), Kristina assures her husband, Karl Oskar, that when she dies, she will be in God's hands...safe and secure. They finish the song with a reprise of "Min Lust Till Dej" (My Desire For You), sung early in Akt (Act) One.

Why am I talking about KfD on a non-ABBA, Broadway forum? She's coming to our shores, I'm told, in Fall of 2006. I don't know how this musical will translate, but I will be there to welcome her with open arms. The American Theatre Union has refused to allow any of the original Swedish performers into our country, even though we Kristina fans cannot imagine anyone but Helen Sjöholm playing Kristina, Anders Ekborg playing Karl Oskar, Peter Jöback as Robert Nilsson, Åsa Bergh as Ulrika (another incredible performer with a helluva voice), and so on. I just hope they get the right cast.

For any questions, please email me...I am a wee bit passionate about Kristina, and I do so love to share my passions...

J. Wilkes Booth (but my friends call me Scott, or Sir Smurfalot)
[e-mail]
The Official Site of Kristina från Duvelmåla

Posted: 8/1/05 at 4:15pm

Are all ABBA fans insane?
Updated On: 8/1/05 at 04:15 PM

[J. Wilkes Booth]

Posted: 8/1/05 at 4:29pm

Gee, Joe, I hope you mean that in a good way...

JWB

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/1/05 at 4:31pm

Look at his username...

[J. Wilkes Booth]

Posted: 8/1/05 at 4:39pm

Thenardier...guess I'm lost... JoeKv99? Is he an ABBA fan? I hope he's not dissing ABBA... I might cry...or call my buddy Guido to tcb...

Posted: 8/1/05 at 4:55pm

The Swedish Cast album is on Amazon, but for slightly more than $70. Reviews on there compare Benny & Bjorn (Favorably) to Puccini, Dvorak and Bernstein and call this show better than anything by Sondheim. One long essay is about how your other CDs will grow jealous of this one and you won't be able to listen to it in your car because you will be unable to leave it when your journey is over.

I can't wait till it comes to Broadway! Are there any ABBA fans at the NY Times?

Hey JWB will they be performing it in English here or will it stay in Swedish?

[J. Wilkes Booth]

Posted: 8/1/05 at 5:06pm

Joe,

I love to meet other insane ABBA fans in non-ABBA forums!! (lol) If you go to amazon and look at their "Used & new" button, you can score the Kristina boxset for $43.66... Too rich for my blood at the moment, but I've got the library's copy on semi-permanent loan... (feeling a bit guilty).

Oh, it has been translated into English from what I've read. This worries me because of the "passionectomy" that Bjorn performed on "Fernando". If you hear the original "Fernando" on "Frida Ensam", compare the translated Swedish lyric with the English...it's not the same song. The original was hot, passionate...almost as hot and as passionate as the red-head singing it! The English is just okej.

Hej, if you're interested, we have a great ABBA forum -- besides the official evil site, that is -- blackberrystudios.co.uk/abbaforum2 (copy and paste it into your address line)...

I cannot wait for this premiere, either...You'll know me...I'll be the shortest, but best-dressed guy there...

JWB // but you can call me Scott, or Sir Scott Fältskog Lyngstad Ulvaeus Andersson Sjöholm, Lovechild of all four ABBA members and Helen Sjöholm, and Lord of the Smurfs
(psst...Joe, yeah, all ABBA fans are truly insane...)

[sanda]

Posted: 8/1/05 at 7:36pm

I am following the info about this show as well because I am a big Chess fan. I remembered last time I heard that it got a workshop and even audition was mentioned in this board.