Chess in Concert released on DVD and CD on 14 September 2009LYRICS BY SIR TIM RICE AND MUSIC FROM BENNY & BJORN
Warner Music Entertainment makes its move for check mate as they announce the 14 September release
of CHESS IN CONCERT in a DVD, 2 CD and 1 CD highlights package to mark the 25th Anniversary of
Chess the Musical.
On May 12 and 13 2008 at the Royal Albert Hall, London, there were two spectacular, standing room only,
performances of Chess in Concert, with story and lyrics by Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, The Lion King) and
music by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (Mamma Mia!), formerly of ABBA.
Chess in Concert is directed by Hugh Wooldridge and adapted by Sir Tim Rice and Hugh Wooldridge. It features the
multi-platinum selling artist Josh Groban, Broadway’s Idina Menzel (Wicked) Adam Pascal (RENT) chart topping
Wet Wet Wet singer Marti Pellow as The Arbiter, the West End’s Kerry Ellis (Wicked and We Will Rock You),
Clarke Peters (Porgy and Bess, The Wire) and David Bedella (Jerry Springer, The Opera). Also featured were the
Chess in Concert company, the 100 strong West End Chorus and the City of London Philharmonic with Stephen Disley
playing the great organ of the Royal Albert Hall. Sir Tim Rice introduced both performances in front of packed houses
and was delighted to see the spontaneous standing ovations at the end of each Act.
Chess involves a romantic triangle between two players in a World Chess Championship, and the woman who
manages one and falls in love with the other. Although the protagonists were not intended to represent any specific
individuals, the characters' personalities are loosely based on those of Victor Korchnoi and Bobby Fischer who died
earlier in 2008. The show was adapted by Sir Tim Rice and Hugh Wooldridge and conducted by David Firman for
this special recording of Chess in Concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
Following the formula of Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, a concept album of Chess was recorded in 1984 and
spawned two international hits, One Night in Bangkok, performed by Murray Head and I Know Him So Well performed
by Elaine Page and Barbra Dickson, which topped the UK charts for 4 weeks. The first theatrical version of
Chess opened in London's West End in 1986 and played for three years. It has long been recognised that Chess has
an unprecedented musical pedigree and this release is must own CD and DVD for any fan of musical theatre, not to
mention those who have been introduced to the talents of the creators through Mamma Mia and
Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat.
Released on DVD and CD
on 14 September 2009
DVD INFORMATION
Title: CHESS IN CONCERT
Released by: Warner Music Entertainment
Release Date: 14 September 2008
Certificate: N/A
Price: £19.99 RRP
Genre: Concert
Running Time: 145 mins approx
Website:
www.chessinconcert.comDOUBLE CD INFORMATION
Title: CHESS IN CONCERT DOUBLE CD
Release Date: 14 September 2008
Price: £14.99 RRP
Genre: Concert
Content: 43 Audio Tracks
CD HIGHLIGHTS INFORMATION
Title: HIGHTLIGHTS FROM CHESS IN CONCERT SINGLE CD
Release Date: 14 September 2008
Price: £12.99 RRP
Genre: Concert
Content: 19 Audio Tracks