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VOCALESSENCE OPENS 56th SEASON WITH SONGS FROM KRISTINA, THE TRIBUTE TO SWEDISH IMMIGRANTS BY FAMED ABBA SONGWRITERS
Concert version of the musical comes to Benson Great Hall at Bethel University—Oct 26

MINNEAPOLIS — August 15, 2024—VocalEssence will open its 56th season with THE CONCERT VERSION OF THE MUSICAL KRISTINA, featuring compositions from legendary ABBA songwriters Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson inspired by the real stories of Minnesota’s Swedish immigrant communities.

High resolution images are available here.

A musical that has captivated audiences worldwide, KRISTINA follows Kristina Nilsson and her family as they make the courageous journey from the harsh world of mid-19th century Sweden to the promise of a new life in America. The story was based on Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg’s four-novel series The Emigrants, the research for which included a year-long stay in 1948 in Chisago County collecting stories from Swedes living in the area. The concert will feature Kathryn Rupp as Kristina, Evan Tyler Wilson as Karl Oskar, G. Phillip Shoultz, III as Robert, and Clara Osowski as Ulrika. An orchestra will accompany the VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers, with Philip Brunelle conducting.

“We are thrilled to introduce a new generation of listeners to the magic of Kristina’s story,” said Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence founder and artistic director. “Almost 30 years ago, VocalEssence had the honor of premiering this work in North America with Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus in attendance. We still remember the rapturous audience response at both our local show and at a special performance in Lindström, Minnesota, near the setting of the musical. As a community-building choral organization, we have always been and will always be reaching out to new immigrants to say, ‘Sing with us.’ When we perform the music of KRISTINA we celebrate the full complexity of that experience. Hope and excitement do coexist with a yearning for home, and this program captures that emotional range with incredible beauty.”

THE CONCERT VERSION OF THE MUSICAL KRISTINA will be performed on October 26, 2024, from 4 pm to 6 pm, at Benson Great Hall, Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Dr., Arden Hills, Minnesota, 55112. Individual tickets are $25 to $45.

VocalEssence, the choral organization Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones says “sings magnificently,” provides opportunities that draw upon the power of singing together to nurture community, inspire creativity, affirm the value of all persons, and expand the impact of choral music. VocalEssence was founded in 1969 and through its performance series has debuted more than 300 commissions and world premieres. VocalEssence Learning & Engagement programs help people of all ages bridge, create, and learn across cultures by connecting them with renowned choral experts to provide exceptional role models, grow community self-esteem, self-expression, and engagement. For more information, visit www.vocalessence.org.

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