André Rieu ~ A Special Birthday Present
Until 28th September, 2007, my birthday, I had not heard of Andre and his beautiful orchestra. I cannot understand how my family, my friends and I received no indication that he existed. After seeing Andre at Warringah Mall, my youngest brother and his wife bought me "New York Memories" as a birthday present. Upon receiving it, I played it to see what it was all about. I played it over and over with great enthusiasm. When another brother heard about my reaction, he bought me a 3 pack called the Best of Andre Rieu, which includes "La Vie est Belle", "A Dream Come True" and "Live at the Royal Albert Hall". I aim to buy as many of his DVDs that I can, but find that the local shops in this small country town (Cowra) have not started to sell them. I eagerly await the announcement of Andre's visit to Australia with his orchestra next year, so am hoping that I will be able to attend the Sydney presentation. Sydney is a 4 hour drive from here, and as I am a wheelchair traveler, I am hoping that this will not be a problem. I have been waiting for years for Andre and his wonderful orchestra. I still can't imagine how it could be functioning without me hearing about them before. Every day now I find out something new about it all. I like all the orchestra members, but especially Suzan Erens, Frank Steijns and the Platin Tenors. I suppose that Andre will travel to Australia in one of his aeroplanes. I hope he will be able to see some of this vast country while he is here. I am very proud of it and am pleased that I am an Aussie.
I discovered that I could see programs of Andre on the Ovation Channel of Austar, so since then I have been able to tape a number of his best programs. 
At present I am listening to an Andre DVD while I compose this letter.
AndréRieuFans.com: Thelma
Welcome Thelma, and a Happy "Belated" Birthday - may you have many more happy days now that you too have discovered the majic of André Rieu. I am fairly new and not a day goes by that I don't watch a number of DVD's ( and my collection" is growing ), as well as the collection of CD's - I have become so captivated with his music and the JSO. Once you start listening and following André, he becomes a part of you that you can not switch off. He has his own website at www.AndréRieu.com. You can get lost on that site for hours. Once again, "Welcome" from Cowra, which in my opinion, Austrilia is such a wonderous country, which I hope once in my lifetime to visit. I too enjoyed a Sunday morning watching the New York City DVD, what a moving way to start the week. You have come to the absolute BEST "Webmater Sally" - and I know you will be getting lots of welcomes...how wonderful to hear from you Thelma. My best to you on your journey with our very "heart throbbing" André. LOL, and heartbeats in 3/4 times forever....
Thelma, I enjoy your story and your heart!
I believe you will not only make your way to the concert, but will have good seats for André Rieu's fabulous show!
Thank you for sharing with all the fans.
Hi Thelma, welcome! I had to smile as I read your story because I felt the same way when I first heard Andre on our TV. I think I wrote in his guestbook" I feel as if I have been living under a rock not to heard of you before". he does have a way about him doesn't he? I can't wait for you to see him in concert in your lovely country. You will not be disappointed. A wheelchair should be no problem for you, at least I hope not.
Thelma, What a lovely story you have written. I'm not that good at putting words on paper so to speak! So here goes.....My Hubby & I were totally blown away when we first discovered Andre. I remember the day, I was actually in hospital having a procedure done, and when hubby returned later in the day, all he wanted to tell me was about these wonderful DVD's that he had seen playing at a music store in Wollongong. Never mind how I was feeling, that wasn't important enough to be the first issue! Consequently, I couldn't get out of hospital quick enough to see what he was going on about. We live in Temora, NSW and the best places we have found to buy the DVD's is at either JB HIFI & Sanity. Both have websites and you can order online.
We fully intend in going to Andre's' concerts too, and if we're lucky enough we might be able to do both Sydney & Melbourne. If we can get tickets that is...I too am disabled, and I am hoping that at one of these concerts I will be able to get myself to a point where I can actually get up and dance with my hubby I can't wait to see the surprised look on his georgous face when I do it!
Dear Thelma. Just a note to thank you for your into to "the Maestro" I was surfing the tv channels & found his program of Live in Tuscany. I was just turning in for the night, but sleep just went out the window & I have been hooked on Andre ever since. This all began in the spring of 2005 & I have since been to three live concerts & will
go every chance that comes along. Think all the concerts in Australia will be in stadiums. From the news I have, the whole field will be the Schonnbrun palace, plus stage, skating rink so all the fans will be seated all around. I would hope they will have arrangements for disabled folks & those in wheelchairs etc. I'm 74 & now I am not able to walk very far at one time but so far I can manage. You will enoy as Andre is not only a wonderful musician, but also is a very good man. A rarity these days, but his joy & caring for his fans does show through all that he does. He's coming to Oz for 20 days in
Nov & Dec 2008. Tickets are not yet on sale but I expect you will see the ads
by mid december. Your are in for a real joyful evening. Love Marianne
It's interesting how that once we are "introduced" to André, we are hooked. It happens to everyone who actually allows him to come into their lives and entertain them with his charisma and incredible ways, not to mention his music!
I, too, wondered why I hadn't heard of André Rieu before I did. I only wished that I had known of him long ago, I feel I missed so much. But...I'm catching up.
I truly enjoyed your enthusiasm Thelma, you wrote a very nice story and I wish to welcome you to this wonderful site. Sally is a great Webmaster, like Judith said, and you will find many friends here willing to talk and enjoy you as they do all friendly André fans! Visit often, write often and you will learn how many friends there are here! ♥♫
Thank you again Thelma, you did make me smile.
Hello Thelma, another warm welcome from me Lesley, I live in Perth Western Australia, and I too am waiting patiently for Andre's Australian tour tickets to come on sale. This is the most amazing website, you are now part of an amazing family all linked together by Andre..... wonderful Andre and his ability to thrill the world with his music. I too can't imagine my life without his music, I also can't imagine my life without this website, Sally and all the amazing friends I have made. Please enjoy, share your dreams with us all, as we all do. I look forward to reading with interest all you have to say... hugs to you Les x
Dear Thelma and the other ladies who have joined in this thread - it was wonderful hearing how you "found" Andre and the love for his music. I can't get enough of his beautiful music either.
A friend in Hawaii sent me one of his DVDs a few years ago, Dublin I think, and I just knew I wanted more, so I imported his DVDs and CDs from America and from Andre's site. When I started seeing so many of his DVDs and CDs in our stores this year, I thought, I bet Andre's going to come to Australia, and then when I saw the article in Limelight magazine, I got so excited.
I'm from Perth, Western Australia, and to be able to see Andre and the JSO in concert will be a dream come true.
I've ordered the new double CD from Andre's site, and it should be here next week. I know it'll be released here, but I couldn't wait.
Trish
Trish, what an international story! Hawaii, Australia, Netherlands. Fans & Friends Around The World.
What is it about this music that is so adictive? I think we all had to run out and get as many CDs & DVDs as we could.
Hi Trish, I too am from Perth Western Australia, which suburb do you live in? I live in Mt Pleasant.
I am addicted to Andre, just like everyone else on this wonderful website. I must have 25 dvd's now, some I have ordered through Andre's Official site but mostly from JB HiFi. I listen to him on the bus in the morning, on my way home from work and everyone in the office is sick of me talking about him. I have pictures of Andre on my pin-up-board and I even drink from his mug (which I purchased through his website) this is my prized possession, if anybody else uses my mug, they never hear the end of it ... nobody dare go near it.
Are you new to this site because I haven't seen your name before ... sorry if I have missed it. Sally the webmaster, marianne peters, marlene warren, in fact everybody are absolutely wonderful. I feel I have made some very true and valuable friends via this site .... I actually can't imagine my life now without them.
Anyway, this was just a quick hello, hopefully you will respond to this entry.
Love and hugs xxxxx Les
All of André's concerts have accommodations for physically disabled people. You must say something about needing accommodations at the time you place an order for tickets.
I, too, had the same feeling when I first discovered André on TV; to this day I can't believe it took me so long to find André. The more you participate on this website, to more you will come to enjoy because will know so much more about him & the wonderful JSO orchestra.
Lucky me; I'll be attending my 3rd concert in 21 days, here in Phoenix, AZ; on 8 Dec.
Bill in Arizona aka
Official Pot Stirrer aka
Spelling & Punctuation Chief of Police
Frequent Blood Donor of >4 gallons of A+<g>
Thank you so much for the wonderful reporting of Andre Rieu and the JSO. I enjoy checking your websight every day and I am happy when I see new info. I take care of elderly people and they find his music very beutiful and soothing. Thank you again! ~Helen
Hi Helen, Welcome to the site!! Here we are all Fans & Friends Around The World.
Taking care of the elderly is an admiral job. It is difficult yet rewarding.
I know when I played Andre videos for my mother’s senior home; they all loved it.
We Appreciate Having you as part of our Family of Fans And Friends Around The World !
Hi Thelma and all Andre Rieu fans
My elderly mother and I were first introduced to Andre Rieu about six months or more ago, when a friend of hers lent her The Flying Dutchman. We too wonder how we had never heard of him before! What a loss! At least Mum will hopefully have a few years to watch and enjoy his DVDs. We just think he is great, and also love the soloists and the Platin Tenors. We are hoping to see him in Australia, because unfortunately he is not coming to New Zealand! What a shame his DVDs are not available where you live. The stores here have special stands devoted to Andre DVDs so we are spoilt for choice!
Hope you have many happy years ahead of you to enjoy Andre!
Eileen
Hi Eileen, I know it seems like you wonder where he was all your life but at least you did find him and I hope you both have many more years to enjoy him and his beautiful music. I only discovered Andre about 2 years ago and I wonder what did I do before I knew him. I pray we all have many more good years ahead of us and I pray that Andre has lots of good years that he can play for us with his fabulous orchestra. Hugs to you
Thelma, when a friend gave me the DVD of his performance at the Royal Albert Hall, I was struck by his happy and exhilarating music and felt the same way you did - where was he all this time? His orchestra compliments his entire performance as they are so very good. I live in Sri Lanka and only get some copied DVDs and no one seems to know of him. My sons live in Australia and I am trying to plan a trip to coincide with his visit but not very sure. I wish you a happy and an unforgettable experience when you go for his performance as planned. Dont worry about the wheel chair, just dance in it!
Hermoine
I am from Port Lincoln in South Australia.
I agree with all the above comments and think he is a very clever and wonderful person. I have over 30 of his DVD and they
play all the time. My cousin went to his concert in Adelaide and has sent me the book and some fridge magnets which I have framed. Regards Leonie
Hi Leonie: Australia is showing Andre so much love. It is no wonder he has already booked a return tour. Your cousin is nice to think of you