Ystads Allehanda 100415
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Kristina a success with standing ovations.
The concert version of “Kristina from Duvemala” with Helen Sjöholm premiered in London on Wednesday. Present at the Royal Albert Hall were composers Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson.
– It’s really great, I’m very pleased with the evening, said Benny Andersson, who together with his colleague Ulvaeus had to get home by bus on Thursday, because of the ash cloud from Iceland, due to which all flights from London to Stockholm were cancelled.
The concert, called “Kristina”, also played at Carnegie Hall in New York in September 2009, the English concert version of the popular musical “Kristina from Duvemala” from 1995.
No more Stockholm appearances
Wednesday’s show was exclusive, and at this stage there are no plans of giving additional concerts in London.
Benny Andersson also dismissed tabloid press statements that the musical could be a reality again, in Stockholm.
– Many people want to see it, but we are pleased with this. There are other things for us to do now, said Benny Andersson.
However, it has yet to arrive to the Swedish Theatre in Helsinki in 2012, this time in a bit more intimate version with fewer musicians on stage.
Both Helen Sjöholm, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson were honored with a standing ovation on Wednesday night. Something that surprised Benny Andersson.
– You can never take anything for granted. But we were obviously very flattered and excited, he says.