“If you change your mind, I’m the first in line, Honey I’m still free, take a chance on me…”
The music of ABBA and of Queen is proving to be timeless, judging by the response to Oriana Choir’s latest presentation: Dancing Queen.
Oriana is just eight days away from realising a dream that has been in rehearsal for almost five years.
It started in the pre-Covid days, when the Oriana music team conceived the idea of presenting a concert of classic songs by ABBA and Queen.
Plans were put in motion to make that dream a reality. But, alas, the ‘best laid plans’ came to naught. Twice!
Knockdown by lockdown, and ongoing pandemic angst saw the presentation put on hold.
For a while, it felt as if the dream had faded away into the mist of memories that weren’t to be.
But now, that’s all behind us, and as the ancient saying goes, third time’s a charm!
Dancing Queen: A Tribute To ABBA And Queen, is finally happening. Show time in Noosa is just eight days away, with two performances on Saturday 18 May, at The J in Noosa Junction.
It’s been a long time coming, but the time in between has been well spent.
Rehearsals since the start of the year have been intensive and, at times, intense.
But, if the energy generated during recent rehearsals is any indication, the final result will be worth every bit of effort that the choir has put into making this show happen; and for audiences, it will have been absolutely worth the wait.
With the 80-voice chorus conducted by Elisabeth Wallis Gaedtke and accompanied by a live band, there will be toes tapping in no time at all.
Also performing will be the Sunshine Coast Youth Choir conducted by Annie Wilson.
Judging by the response to bookings, the music of these two iconic groups really resonates with Noosa music patrons.
While running through the opening number, the sheer joy of the music, and of performing it, were so powerful to choir members that they simply couldn’t get the smile off their faces or stop moving in time to the music.
The consensus was: “If it feels this good in a rehearsal eight days out, how amazing will it be for the audiences?”
Rehearsing these marvellous songs over the past weeks has really brought home, yet again, their true timelessness.
Both ABBA and Queen had the gift of being able to write songs that had a universal appeal.
Though presented to the world as ‘pop’ music, there was much wisdom and truth contained in many of their lyrics. They sang about love, in all its aspects – romance, love unrequited, love lost; about the very human need for connection and acceptance; and about how life is transitory, and how important it is to treasure every moment, because nothing lasts.
Yet through it all, the music is undeniably fun. It’s music that makes one feel good.
Dancing Queen will touch your emotions in many ways.
There’ll be laughter, there’ll be tears, there’ll be any number of “YES!” moments.
And the joy of this music will be delivered to you undiluted, with all of the passion that Oriana brings to all its endeavours.
This is a show that will stay with audiences long after the final note has faded away.
“Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality
Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see.’’
Visit oriana.org.au for more details and for bookings
