Abba - nice memories....

Bet you wouldn't think I had any connection with that brilliant Swedish group, would you ? Believe it or not, I was always a fan of theirs, then most amazed and honoured to be invited to work at Malmo Music Theatre with the cast of 'Kristina fran Duvemala', music and lyrics created by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, based on a story of the same name (look it up on You Tube), before it premiered in 1996. How did I become involved ? Lars Rudolfsson was the Director, and I had worked for the Opera Department earlier, happily breathing away in that lovely clean city with a fine group of singers, musicians, and staff - we had such a lot of fun... Why was I there for 'Kristina' ? Lars called me in England and requested me to take myself over to Malmo as soon as possible because ' I have this cast of music theatre singers, who are radio miked, but trying to compete with the large orchestra - can you come and sort them out please ' ? Well - I don't think I've ever arranged anything so fast in my life and was there almost "like a shot". Ooooh how pleased I was to be free to take on that assignment, talk about luck.... It's essential in showbiz - and being available in the right place at the right time - as you all know....On arrival I was given a long list of artists and a punishing schedule - so much to achieve in so short a time - about 20 days to the premiere, phew...! We started with a mass 'breathe in' for anyone in the company who was interested - that was when I discovered many musicians have no consolidated breathing connection, and nowadays have some fabulous orchestral musicians successfully involved. (e.g. Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra - Royal Albert Hall Promenade Concert, 19.30 - Weds. 13th. August 2008 - with Gustavo Dudamel...WOW...) Most of the principals came for a breathe, but Peter Joback resisted for several days. Then, on one occasion a singer was sick, so Lars (Rudolfsson ) took the session - he has a really good voice, and persuaded Peter to come along. I'll never forget it - there was this very famous 'cool' pop idol singer who went through the little exercise routine, looked totally dejected, and confessed he was upset because Benny has written one of his songs too high for him to sing - ' Jag kan iiinte ' he wailed. 'I know you can iiinte - that's why Lars wanted to put us together, so that you KAAAN!' (Bossy boots..) Gradually we put the air with the voice, developing the most magnificent results - he eventually sang a pianissimo top B, running offstage carrying a man on his shoulders - breathtaking, really - oooph... If you didn't hear it you can't imagine the thrill....I saw the show about twenty times, also in Gothenburg Opera, at Circus in Stockholm, and never tired of it, but I think it could be trimmed timewise... Maybe some day they'll give us a version in English...More recently Peter starred in 'Cabaret' and was just magnificent in every respect. My only disappoinment was that so few of my other 'breathers' saw it, talk about charisma - he used every voice available , in different modes - brilliant...I'd really like to hear him in opera, he's perfectly capable of thrilling with his beautiful tenor voice...truly - as unbelievable as that may seem... Happy days...although very cold and rainy here ...k..p b.......g...