The Music of ABBA at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Sept 24

Photo credit: Akron Symphony Orchestra | Flickr

Are you ready to Waterloo?

The world’s top ABBA tribute band – which includes ABBA’s original drummer and guitar player – is set to take the stage with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra on September 24.   Get ready for orchestral versions of hummable, stuck-in-your-head-for-weeks hits including Mamma Mia, Chiquitita, Take a Chance on Me, Waterloo and many more.

Arrival from Sweden is the only band in the world with the exclusive rights to the ABBA name, costumes and original music.  Original ABBA guitarist Finn Sjoberg and original drummer Roger Palm are both members.  With the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and conductor Gordon Gerrard, they’ll breath new life into ABBA’s ’70s dance classics.

After IKEA, ABBA may well be Sweden’s best-known export.  Founded in 1971, the group and its upbeat mix of pop, rock and disco (not to mention those futuristic costumes) quickly took the world by storm.  Powered by global hits like Mamma Mia and Dancing Queen, the band sold some 370 million albums, reportedly the most all time behind only the Beatles and Elvis.  After ruling the ’70s, ABBA broke up in 1982 and briefly faded into semi-obscurity.

That all changed in 1999 when ABBA’s music was adapted into the wildly successful musical Mamma Mia!, which brought Dancing Queen, Knowing You, Knowing Me and Voulez Vous to a whole new generation of listeners.  To date, 42 million people have seen the musical, which has grossed $2 billion.  The film adaptation starring Meryl Streep became the highest grossing musical film ever.

Into these big shoes steps Arrival from Sweden, which has been carrying on ABBA’s musical legacy since 1985, playing in sold-out theatres in 35 countries.   They’ll recreate some ABBA magic with the VSO at the Orpheum  on Sept. 24 at 8 p.m.  Tickets start at $35.  You might just want to take a chance on them.

Any ABBA fans out there?  What’s your favourite ABBA song?  Will you be at the show?  Let us know below.

Article source: http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2012/09/14/the-music-of-abba-at-the-vancouver-symphony-orchestra-sept-24/