Kristina by ABBA's Benny & Björn - Albert Hall 14 April

ABBA's Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus presents the UK premiere of the concert version of their epic musical Kristina at the Royal Albert Hall for one night only on Wed 14 April 2010.

The concert will feature a cast of over 30 performers led by the original ‘Kristina’, Helen Sjoholm, along with Russell Watson, Louise Pitre, Kevin Odekirk, accompanied by a 50-piece Symphony Orchestra, consisting of the finest musicians hand-picked by Isobel Griffiths, and the Choir who performed at the Carnegie Hall concerts, all conducted by Paul Gemignani.

Kristina tells the story of one woman and her family’s struggle in Sweden and their subsequent emigration to America in search of a better life.

Originally produced in Sweden, with music by Benny Andersson and lyrics by Björn Ulvaeus. For the concert version, English lyrics have been written by Björn Ulvaeus and Herbert Kretzmer.

The concert version of “KRISTINA” was presented at New York’s Carnegie Hall in September 2009. In April, Universal Music will be releasing a double CD of “Kristina” at the Carnegie Hall. As at the Carnegie Hall, the concert at the Royal Albert Hall will be directed by Lars Rudolfsson.

In her native Sweden, Helen Sjoholm (‘Kristina’) has played ‘Hodel’ in “Fiddler on the Roof”, ‘Fantine’ in “Les Misérables”, starred in “Chess”, played ‘Polly Peachum’ in “The Threepenny Opera” and ‘Eliza’ in “My Fair Lady”, as well as creating the role of ‘Kristina’ in the original musical production of “Kristina från Duvemåla” in 1995.

Russell Watson (‘Karl Oskar’) was the first ever British male to simultaneously occupy a No.1 spot in the UK and American classical charts, as well as being the first artist to have a classical album at the No.1 spot in the UK classical charts for an entire year. Having released nine albums to date and sold over six million records worldwide, he has won four classical BRIT Awards.

Louise Pitre (‘Ulrika’) created the role of ‘Donna Sheridan’ in the Toronto production of “Mamma Mia!”, and went on to make her Broadway debut for the same role, when the musical first opened on Broadway in 2001. Other leading musical roles include ‘Fantine’ in “Les Misérables” and the title role in “Piaf”.

Kevin Odekirk made his Broadway debut as ‘Marius’ in “Les Misérables”.