Kristina

What It Was

Kristina från Duvemåla is a Swedish musical written by former ABBA members Björn Ulvaeus (lyrics) and Benny Andersson (music) based on a series of novels by Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg about a family's poverty-driven migration from Sweden to America in the mid-19th century. The show premiered in Sweden on October 7th, 1995 to overwhelming critical acclaim and enjoyed a long run at Stockholm's Cirkus which was specially renovated for the show.

The English translation was done by Björn Ulvaeus and famed Les Misérables translator Herbert Kretzmer. This new translation debuted in concert format under the shortened name Kristina at Carnegie Hall on September 23, 2009.

What We Did

Lightswitch worked closely with creators Benny and Björn, the director of the original production Lars Rudolfsson, and the original scenic designer Robin Wagner to underscore the production with projected images and text evocative of the characters' epic journey.

Why It Worked

The goal of this concert was to expose American audiences to the breathtaking music that is Kristina. It was important to us that we enhance, without distracting from the experience. Timing was key. Slow fades, gentle transitions, and subtle animation moved and flowed with the music and helped to carry the story through all of the trials and locations the emigrants encountered.

The performance received glowing reviews including one from Time.com saying "Some of the most rapturous melodies ever heard in Carnegie Hall poured out of that grand old barn last night".