Sigma Alpha Iota

22 Summer 2022 • sai-national.org bc bc cccIt was only rediscovered serendipitously in 1921 when Agne Beijers, a literary historian looking for a missing 1782 painting about theater life in the Gustavian Age, realized he was actually walking on a stage. He had discovered "the real McCoy" and subsequently was given permission by King Gustav V to reorganize the theater. It was so well kept while untouched that no restoration was needed; however, electricity was added. On August 19, 1922, the curtain rose once again, this time for the public rather than only members of the royal court. With doors leading to the expansive English Garden, the déjeuner foyer, formerly a place for dancing and dining, is now a café that serves snacks, coffee, and champagne at intermission. During my visit, the room was being readied for a summer exhibition: Tailored Stories–100 years of theatre costumes at Drottningholm. Centennial festivities were beginning on June 6, 2022, just aer my Swedish sojourn; scheduled later were performances of Antonio Vivaldi's Il Giustino for adults and a special attraction for children — André Grétry's Beauty and the Beast. On a wall in the conversation room, a reception area where the couriers met for small talk during intermissions, was a beautiful painting with a scene from this beloved fairy tale. One day I hope to attend a full-length performance of Joseph Martin Kraus's Aeneas in Carthage. e first dra of the libretto was written by none other than King Gustav III himself. Originally, this work was to have premiered in his opera house; but beforehand the female soprano for the lead role of Dido had le the country to escape creditors. To this day, the opera — almost six hours long with five acts and more than one hundred musical pieces — has never been performed in its entirety. Because Vergil's Aeneid includes a storm, no doubt there will be thunder. If the performance is in Drottningholm, I shall be happy to go backstage and pull the rope again. A Wld of Music For more information about Drottningholm Theatre, go to: www.dtm.se short, I chose not to put on a headset with glasses to participate in this virtual reality opportunity and fly over the city to the island of Viggsö. Besides enjoying myself immensely at this point, I was already mentally soaring! Impressive indeed was the centerpiece of the museum — Göran Lundström's life-size silicone dolls of the quartet. Many frames with their golden records hung on the walls. Other authentic memorabilia confirmed ABBA's numerous accolades worldwide throughout their performing years. ere were also exhibits about the lives and careers of individual members aer the group went on a break. Now the group is back together virtually. Appearing in London from May through December 2022 is ABBA Voyage, starring ABBAtars (or virtual doppelgängers) along with a ten-piece live band. Aer the show's conclusion, I hope producers will take the show on the road. Many ABBA recordings are in the gi shop along with typical souvenirs (tote bags, mugs, T-shirts). Also available is other ABBA apparel, kimonos, and even short ABBA cat dresses. Later, I wore the one with the blue cat when I put my face inside an open hole of a life-size ABBA figure outside the entrance. I now have a new appreciation for ABBA, but I am still no expert. erefore I contacted Helena Mattsson, Marketing Coordinator at ABBA e Museum to confirm the accuracy of facts in this article. I love the way she signed her email: "Have a fABBAulous day! Walk In. Dance Out." At the interactive ABBA e Museum, I did exactly that! Jayne I. Hanlin is an initiate of Alpha Omicron and current member of the St. Louis Alumnae chapter. Mrs. Hanlin, the sister of famed pianist Malcolm Frager, is the co-author of Learning Latin Through Mythology (Cambridge University Press, 1991). To learn more, visit: https://abbathemuseum.com/en/ Continued from page 19 Continued from page 21

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