{"id":1056,"date":"2026-10-12T10:46:33","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T08:46:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sankt-dankt.at\/?p=1056"},"modified":"2026-10-12T10:46:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T08:46:33","slug":"abba-world-hits-for-the-salzburg-cathedral-philharmonic-and-monika-ballwein","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sankt-dankt.at\/en\/news\/abba-welthits-fuer-den-dom-philharmonie-salzburg-und-monika-ballwein\/","title":{"rendered":"ABBA\u2019s global hits for the cathedral: the Salzburg Philharmonic and Monika Ballwein are performing at the Festspielhaus St. P\u00f6lten"},"content":{"rendered":"
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St. P\u00f6lten<\/strong> \u2013 A major musical event dedicated to the preservation of historic buildings: featuring the acclaimed programme \u201eA Symphonic Tribute to ABBA\u201c<\/strong> transform the Salzburg Philharmonic<\/strong>, her choir and vocal icon Monika Ballwein<\/strong> under the baton of the principal conductor Elisabeth Fuchs<\/strong> the St. P\u00f6lten Festival Theatre into a rousing ensemble. The charity concert combines pop history in an orchestral setting with a cause close to the heart of Lower Austria: the proceeds will go directly towards the complete restoration of St. P\u00f6lten Cathedral.<\/p>\n

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Grand symphonic music meets timeless pop<\/strong>
When symphonic power meets legendary catchy tunes such as \u201eDancing Queen\u201c, \u201eMamma Mia\u201c or \u201eThe Winner Takes It All\u201c, the result is an energy that has the audience on their feet. Elisabeth Fuchs and Thorsten Sch\u00e4ffer have created arrangements for the Salzburg Philharmonic and the Festival Choir that breathe new life into the splendour of the iconic Swedish band with classical orchestral colours.<\/p>\n

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The spotlight is on the exceptional singer from Lower Austria Monika Ballwein<\/strong>:
\u201eABBA is pure musical perfection and pure emotion. Bringing these songs to the stage of the Festspielhaus with a full symphony orchestra and choir is a tremendous feat, full of joy. The fact that, through our music, we are also helping to preserve the historic heart of St. P\u00f6lten makes this evening something truly special.\u201c<\/em><\/p>\n

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Conductor Elisabeth Fuchs<\/strong> Added:
\u201eMusic brings people together across all generations. With this concert, we are building a bridge between rousing pop culture and the preservation of a centuries-old cultural heritage.\u201c<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t

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Concert Factbox & Advance Bookings<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Title:<\/strong> A Symphonic Tribute to ABBA \u2013 Charity concert in aid of the complete restoration of St. P\u00f6lten Cathedral
Date & time:<\/strong> Wednesday, 17 February 2027 | Start: 7.30 pm
Location:<\/strong> Festspielhaus St. P\u00f6lten (Main Auditorium), Kulturbezirk 2, 3100 St. P\u00f6lten
Contributors:<\/strong> Salzburg Philharmonic Orchestra & Large Choir | Musical Director: Elisabeth Fuchs | Soloist: Monika Ballwein<\/p>\n

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Tickets:<\/strong> St. P\u00f6lten Ticket Office, Rathausplatz 19, 3100 St. P\u00f6lten | by telephone on +43 (0) 2742 90 80 80 600 and online via www.festspielhaus.at<\/a>. (Due to high demand and limited availability, we recommend purchasing tickets in good time.)<\/p>\n

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Get your tickets now<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

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The Cathedral Restoration: A Project of the Century \u2013 Keeping the Landmark on Track<\/strong>
The Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary is the spiritual centre of the diocese and the architectural landmark of the capital of Lower Austria. The last comprehensive renovation took place over 75 years ago. To protect this historic building from further deterioration and preserve it for future generations, extensive restoration and refurbishment work is required on the fa\u00e7ade, the roofs and the Baroque interior.<\/p>\n

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Following thorough preliminary investigations, a large-scale project was launched in 2024 Comprehensive refurbishment in a total of eight annual phases<\/strong>, which extends into the 2030s:<\/p>\n

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What\u2019s been achieved so far & current progress on the build:<\/strong> Following the restoration of the heavily weathered Romanesque apse (2024) and the refurbishment of the striking cathedral tower and its west fa\u00e7ade (2025), the focus is currently on the comprehensive renovation of the north and south fa\u00e7ades of the nave, as well as the re-roofing of the approximately 1,000 m\u00b2 roof structure with fired bricks.<\/p>\n

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Next steps:<\/strong> Subsequent phases of construction will include the Gothic cloister, the modernisation of the electrical and media systems, and the restoration of the Baroque interior \u2013 from the altars and pews to the monumental paintings, right through to the careful cleaning and retuning of the cathedral organ. In addition, barrier-free access will be provided.<\/p>\n

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Diocesan Bishop Dr Alois Schwarz<\/strong> emphasises:
\u201eSt P\u00f6lten Cathedral is not merely a bishop\u2019s church, but a place open to the people of our region for reflection, faith and fellowship. We can only undertake this major construction project as a broad community. I would like to thank every concert-goer and all our partners from the business and wider communities who, through their support and their attendance, are sending a clear and visible message of solidarity.\u201c<\/em><\/p>\n

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The fundraising association guarantees the highest level of reliability for the organisers and business partners. Herbert Klenk<\/strong>, Chairman of the Association for the Preservation and Restoration of the Cathedral, emphasises:
\u201eAn architectural gem of this magnitude can only be preserved through a united effort. Every ticket purchased and every euro raised through sponsorship is earmarked specifically for the finest craftsmanship on the building. Our partners are thus demonstrating their active commitment to St. P\u00f6lten \u2013 we guarantee the utmost transparency and a lasting impact for every cent.\u201c<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t

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Our partners<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t