#1
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)
sirsmurfalotster@gmail.com
The Official Site of Kristina från Duvelmåla
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)
sirsmurfalotster@gmail.com
The Official Site of Kristina från Duvelmåla
