Letter from Benny And Björn introduces Kristina to the USA...

Last updated: September 03, 2010

Letter from Benny And Björn introduces Kristina to the USA...
June 20, 2009

and can be found on the new Kristina website which has now sprung into life with some content (including a special Benny Andersson Band treat!). Keep reading...
There are sections on the show's 'History', 'Company' (with further cast details beyond Helen Sjöholm and Russell Watson still to be announced), 'Sights & Sounds' (with slideshow, audio and video), 'Press' and 'Contact Us'.

Benny and Björn's letter:

Dear fans,

In author Vilhelm Moberg's story about Kristina and Karl Oskar, they emigrate to America and live half their lives in their adopted country. Wouldn't it be strange then, never to present the musical about them to an American audience? We think we can hear your answer to that question.

So now the time has come; on the 23rd and 24th of September there will be two concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York. It is in musical and lyrical form we choose to introduce Kristina there, the complete theatrical production hopefully to follow later.

You can read more about the concert on this website, but let us say this: it's pure joy to present this event!

See you there!

Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus

As the letter appears on the website:

Letter from Benny and Björn introduces Kristina

Observations:
- The copyright for the site is 'Ki Chi Saga 2009'
- The way the letter from B&B starts on the homepage is different to that of the actual letter itself, referring as it does to Kristina and Karl Oskar both living and dying in America. Reference to them dying is removed on the clickthrough version.
- Click on The Company and there is a profile of Helen. Within it is a link to the full version of Story Of A Heart - thanks to 'J_ase'.
Posted in: Kristina News
Related link:
- kristinathemusical.com
- NME Kristina premiere footage from YouTube plus loads of other clips
Comments
- Posted by J_ase, June 20, 2009 10:27:
  If you follow the link to the Kristina website and then click on The Company there is a profile of Helen. Within it is a link to THE FULL VERSION of Story of a Heart. Wow.
  
  J_ase
- Posted by DaZ, June 20, 2009 10:43:
  Thanks Ice,
  Love the video on the Kristina site especially seeing Helen,Benny and Bjorn performing 'home' in the studio.
  Not so keen on hearing the producer? talk about cutting some songs down in length and losing one song.
  I hope the concert is filmed.
- Posted by Gerard Hesen, Netherlands, June 20, 2009 11:06:
  ... and everyone can now listen for free to the full version of 'Story of a heart' in the Helen Sjöholm section on the 'cast' page! To download: right-click on 'click here' and 'save target as'... thank you Benny and Björn for this wonderful treat!
  
  It's great!
- Posted by phil, June 20, 2009 11:27:
  From the discussion on the video clip it sounds like Aldrig is the first casualty of the shorter form of the piece. No great loss in my book, but a shame for the performer playing Ulrika.
- Posted by Edward, June 20, 2009 11:38:
  Looking at the mp3 metadata of Story Of A Heart it looks like it's the iTunes version from the forthcoming album!
  It gives 'Spår 03' as the title and track 3/15 as the track number.
- Posted by Tony, June 20, 2009 12:24:
  'Home' and 'You Have To Be There', as heard in the Kristina website, are still pure magic with the English lyrics. Sigh! This concert's album and DVD are what I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on :o)
- Posted by Martin, June 20, 2009 12:36:
  Great update and good to see some of the English lyrics together in the slideshow section. I have wondered for a while HOW this concert will be presented, so it's 'in a musical and lyrical form...' I suspect that it will involve a little more than just standing and singing as Lars Rudolfsson is named as director of the concert. Any others have thoughts?
- Posted by Martin Bolton, June 20, 2009 14:26:
  As well as 'Aldrig' (Never), they also mention in the video on the site cutting 'Ett herrans underverk'. I really love both songs and having seen the stage show, they really work BUT I have faith that the cuts that are being made are for the best.
  
  I mean, most of us would love the full show that we've come to know and love from the Swedish version. However, one of the main criticisms from the New York workshop was the the piece is too long.
  
  What's the point in having a workshop if the lessons aren't acted upon? Songs have got to go and hopefully what's left will not leave Kristina feeling decimated in any way. What am I saying? I'm sure it won't - B&B will make damn sure of that!
  
  I'm open minded and full of optimism for the English version and the fact that two of my favourite songs might not make it, by the sounds of it, well, c'est la vie, I suppose!
- Posted by marco dirven, June 20, 2009 14:42:
  Wonderfull clip, it's always a great pleasure to hear Helen sing live. She is a truly great singer.
- Posted by mikespeir, June 20, 2009 23:33:
  I want to see how they're going to pull off Tänk Att Män Som Han Kan Finnas. Frankly, I wish they'd just call the thing an opera (Come on; that's basically what it is) and leave it in Swedish. I don't understand much of it, but I love it, nonetheless! Even so, I'll be eager to get my hands on the CD or DVD of the English version when it comes out.
- Posted by Ice, June 21, 2009 08:55:
  Just to make things clear - only a recording for CD has been mentioned officially so far.
- Posted by Sapphie, June 23, 2009 13:18:
  The Company section now has a little more info, not yet of unannounced cast members but of B&B, Herbert Kretzmer, Lars Rudolfsson and Paul Gemignani.
- Posted by Elin, June 25, 2009 19:23:
  OMG, the full-length Story of a heart makes so much more sense than the radio edit! I just love it. Thanks, J_ase!
- Posted by Nico, July 17, 2009 18:07:
  Maybe a little late and not in the right section, but there is also a Kristina medley up on the site now (under Sights/Sounds).
  
  Basically the opening music and You Have To Be There... and Gold Can Turn To Sand! :-)
  Any idea as to who sings this last clip? Peter J? Sounds veru beautiful, anyway.
- Posted by Ice, July 17, 2009 22:47:
  Yes Nico, that's Peter Jöback singing 'Gold Can Turn To Sand'.
- Posted by Nico, July 18, 2009 10:32:
  Thought so, thanks for answering that question, Ice! :-)
  
  Does that mean there is a demo out there with some of the songs already sung in English? Would be great to hear the complete song, especially sung by Peter.
  
  Anyway, keep up the good work, Ice!
- Posted by Sapphie, August 10, 2009 12:00:
  I was listening to the Swedish recording of Kristina at the weekend (again!) and continue to be stunned by how brilliant this music is and especially that B&B wrote it!
  
  I would, personally, find it *very* difficult to chop an hour from the proceedings!
  
  My question is, would we be able to influence the choice of songs? I guess it's probably too late now but I wonder if there is any scope for us coing up with a collective opinion on the songs that should be included?
  
  One of my favourites is 'Sunday in Battery Park' ...
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