Program features popular ABBA hits including Mamma Mia, Take a Chance on Me, Dancing Queen, and S.O.S.
Tickets on sale now at dso.org
Detroit, (October 12, 2022) – The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) will welcome esteemed conductor Michael Krajewski and internationally acclaimed Finnish vocal ensemble Rajaton to Orchestra Hall to perform The Music of ABBA on the PNC Pops Series, October 28-30.
The program will pay tribute to ABBA, the Swedish supergroup that soared to stardom in the 1970s, with hits including “Mamma Mia,” “Take a Chance on Me,” and “Dancing Queen.” The DSO will perform with Finnish vocal ensemble Rajaton, comprised of vocalists Aili Ikonen, Essi Wuorela, Soila Sariola, Hannu Lepola, Ahti Paunu, and Jussi Chydenius.
The Music of ABBA will take place Friday, October 28 at 8 p.m., Saturday, October 29 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, October 30 at 3 p.m. at Orchestra Hall.
2022-2023 SEASON DSO SAFETY POLICIES: The DSO no longer requires audiences to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to attend performances. Masks are optional although strongly recommended at DSO performances, particularly when Wayne County and surrounding communities are in the high or "red" category as defined by the CDC. The DSO asks audience members to do their part to create a safe environment for everyone and encourages those who are not feeling well to stay home.
Tickets for these performances start at $19 and can be purchased at dso.org or by calling the Box Office at 313.576.5111, open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The title sponsor of the DSO’s PNC Pops Series is PNC Bank.
THE MUSIC OF ABBA
PNC Pops Series
Friday, October 28 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, October 29 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, October 30 at 3 p.m.
Orchestra Hall
Michael Krajewski, conductor
Rajaton, vocal ensemble
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! The sensational Finnish vocal ensemble Rajaton pays tribute to the Swedish supergroup that soared to stardom in the 1970s. You’ll hear all your favorite ABBA hits performed live by the DSO — “Mamma Mia,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “Dancing Queen,” and more!
About Michael Krajewski
Known for his entertaining programs and engaging personality, Michael Krajewski is a much sought-after pops conductor in the United States, Canada, and abroad.
His 20-year relationship with the Houston Symphony included seventeen years as Principal Pops Conductor. He also served as Principal Pops Conductor of the Long Beach Symphony for 11 years, Principal Pops Conductor of Atlanta Symphony for eight years, Music Director of the Philly Pops for six years, and Principal Pops Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony for 25 years.
Michael’s busy schedule as a guest conductor includes concerts with major and regional orchestras across the United States. In Canada, he has appeared with the orchestras of Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Regina, and Kitchener-Waterloo. Overseas, he has performed in Ireland, Spain, the Czech Republic, Iceland, Malaysia, and China.
Michael has conducted concerts featuring notable musicians and entertainers from many diverse styles of music. He has worked with classical luminaries such as vocalist Marilyn Horne, flutist James Galway, pianist Alicia de Larrocha, and guitarists Pepe and Angel Romero.
In the field of popular music, he has performed with Roberta Flack, Judy Collins, Art Garfunkel, Kenny Loggins, Ben Folds, Rufus Wainright, Jason Alexander, Patti Austin, Sandi Patty, Megan Hilty, Matthew Morrison, Doc Severinsen, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Chieftains, Chicago, Pink Martini, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
Born in Detroit, Michael studied music education at Wayne State University and conducting at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of music. He was an Antal Dorati Fellowship Conductor with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and subsequently served as the DSO’s assistant conductor for four years. Michael now lives in Florida with his wife Darcy. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, photography and solving crossword puzzles.
About Rajaton
The Finnish word Rajaton translates as "boundless"—a word that so accurately describes the way this six-voice a cappella ensemble approaches music. Regularly performing around a hundred concerts and workshops each year, Rajaton exposes their audiences to the kind of diversity of repertoire, singing style, and stage presentation that has made them a phenomenon on the world stage.
Performing at concert halls, churches, jazz and choral festivals, this distinct group of musicians approaches all styles of music with the same level of commitment and integrity, making it difficult to imagine an audience that they could not inspire, or a type of music they could not make their own. In their native Finland, Rajaton is a bona fide pop phenomenon, successfully bridging the gap that often exists between classical and mainstream convention.
Rajaton has released 16 different albums. In 2017, Rajaton celebrates 20 years of music-making with one double platinum, three platinum and eight gold records in Finland under their belt, as their worldwide record sales are drawing over 400.000 copies altogether.
Ever seeking new artistic challenges, the group has grown immeasurably through collaborations with other a cappella artists, including The King’s Singers and The Real Group, as well as productions with film directors and choreographers. But it is perhaps their deep passion for choral art, their generosity of spirit and their sheer enjoyment of singing that has won the hearts and acclaim of audiences and critics everywhere. Their energy—infectious; their ability to entertain and inspire—Rajaton!
The voice is boundless.
About the DSO
The most accessible orchestra on the planet, the acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra is known for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep connection to its city. As a community-supported orchestra, generous giving by individuals and institutions at all levels drives the continued success and growth of the organization. In January 2020, Italian conductor Jader Bignamini was named the DSO’s next music director to commence with the 2020-2021 season. Celebrated conductor, arranger, and trumpeter Jeff Tyzik is the orchestra’s Principal Pops Conductor, while Oscar-nominated trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard holds the Fred A. Erb Jazz Creative Director Chair.
Making its home at historic Orchestra Hall within the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, the DSO offers a performance schedule that features PVS Classical, PNC Pops, Paradise Jazz, and Young People’s Family Concert series. One of the world’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, Orchestra Hall celebrated its centennial in 2019-2020. In addition, the DSO presents the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series in seven metro area venues, as well as a robust schedule of eclectic multi-genre performances in its mid-size venue The Cube, constructed and curated with support from Peter D. & Julie F. Cummings.ld’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, Orchestra Hall celebrated its centennial in 2019-2020. In addition, the DSO presents the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series in seven metro area venues, as well as a robust schedule of eclectic multi-genre performances in its mid-size venue The Cube, constructed and curated with support from Peter D. & Julie F. Cummings.
A dedication to broadcast innovation began in 1922, when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a live radio broadcast of a concert and continues today with the groundbreaking Live from Orchestra Hall series of free webcasts, which also reaches tens of thousands of children with the Classroom Edition expansion. With growing attendance and unwavering philanthropic support from the people of Detroit, the DSO actively pursues a mission to embrace and inspire individuals, families, and communities through unsurpassed musical experiences.