Andre Rieu - Promises & Delivers
I had seen the listing in a local newspaper that said "Andre Rieu, the Danish conductor", and had to shake my head. After all this time it is sad to see a report who doesn't do the background check for their article. So to see Susan Stein's write up was a nice surprise.
‘King of the Waltz’ promises —
and delivers
By Susan Stein - Reading Eagle
Photography: Krissy Krummenacker
Andre Rieu — "King of the Waltz" — couldn’t wait to come to Reading, he told a sold-out crowd Monday night at the Sovereign Center.
In fact, he said he’s been waiting for a year since his last Reading performance to wow the crowd with his waltzes, marches and classical showstoppers.The whole evening, he promised, would be filled with music that gives so much joy to the world.
From the moment the orchestra marched down the aisles to the tune of "76 Trombones" lead by the charismatic Rieu, the audience members were on their feet singing, clapping, swaying and smiling. Later on, couples took to the aisles to dance to several of the waltzes.
Dressed in a dark tuxedo, with his long and wavy hair, the Netherlands native led his over 40-piece orchestra on a night of glitz and glamour.
Forget the stuffy dark suits and the straight-laced classical performances. Rieu, who has been compared to the flamboyant Liberace with the handsome looks of Fabio, brought his music to Reading with the showmanship of a pop entertainer.
Female members of his orchestra were dressed in floor-length pastel-colored dresses. Colorful backdrops and lights, two large-screen projectors and the "Reader’s Digest" version of well-known classical pieces completed the picture.
And the audience of mostly seniors couldn’t get enough of the showman, giving almost every performance a standing ovation.
Throughout the evening of Lawrence Welk-like Strauss waltzes and polkas, dancing and singing, there were several pieces that were beautifully done.
Outstanding performances by three tenors — from Australia, Hungary and Germany — were showstoppers throughout the evening. Their first performance of the famous aria "Nessun Dorma" was a tribute to Luciano Pavarotti and brought the audience to its feet.
Also, Australian soprano Mirusia Louwerse gave a strong rendition of "Ave Maria" during the first half of the show, followed by "Memories" after the break.
Rieu introduced the lovely Louwerse as a soprano who looks like an angel and sings like an angel. She did look beautiful in a shimmering gown and gave impressive performances.
Rieu played along on his 1667 Stradavarius violin for most of the concert facing the audience, performing solos in a few songs.
And between each number, he gave his philosophies of life and music — and lived up to his reputation as the Waltz King.
Categories: ANDRE RIEU, Featured Fans, Articles-Interviews
Thank you for sending this wonderful article. As usual Andre and his JSO and performers did an outstanding concert. I am glad you receive the standing ovations. Thanks to Susan Stein for the article and to Krissy Krummenaker for lovely pics. I laughed when Susan wrote "Reader's Digest", because Andre was performing in "Reading", PA! I am pretty sure everyone who attended had a wonderful, unforgettable time.
Keep up the great entertainment!
As for that Danish thing, well it reminds me of a Danish pastry. I guess Andre could be as yummy as one! Just laugh it off. (Sigh) I guess they need to get out their atlas and take a course on European Geography. When I last looked, the Netherlands were not a part of Denmark!
Love To All
Grace
xxoo
Hi Sally,
What a great article by Susan Stein, thank you. It really caught my attention. I threw a bbq this weekend, and was trying to explain Andre Rieu to a friend. She came up with the name Victor Borga, I came up with Liberace, and someone else said Lawrence Welk. So,to my amazement, Susan Stein was thinking Welk and Liberace as well.
I have to say that Rieu is on to something here if he was inspired by any of these entertainers. And, why not? Howwever, his music is far, far more interesting to me.
Regards,
Carol
Hi CArol. My grandmother took me to see Liberace many years ago when I was a kid. He was at his height of popularity then and boy could he play the piano. He was fabulous.
Marilyn I would have loved to see Liberace. He sure put on a show! And I agree, he could play the piano.
I don't think the glamor would have worked for anyone else, but Liberace used it and made it fun.
I think that some people get "Dutch" and "Danish" mixed up because they both start with the letter "D". I don't know any other reason for the mix-up. ha
Susan Stein gave a nice report of the concert. And the pictures by Krissy Krummenacker were great.
I so enjoy that this write-up was ALL positive with no added verbaige to sort through.
Thank you Sally for this nice write-up of the Reading concert.
I guess André has left our shores again and it will be a long time before he comes back
Anyway, I hope that all of you who have been able to see him this time, will write and tell us all about it!
Thanks, and take care everyone.
Hi Marlene and everyone. I will send you the photos of the Florida concerts (in fact they are already made and they may include some blurred photos but it is easier just to put all of them on the CD) sometime this week. I may as well add the Atlantic City and Reading photos. Some are real good. In A.C. we were dead center in the first row and Reading was not bad considering I had to take the $250.00 seats rather than the $450.00, we were in F3, second row but we had aisle seats and yes I got that HIGH FIVE again!!! Oh what a thrill. I swear that Andre must be taking good looking pills because he looked so great!! His jacket caught the sleeve of my dress and I thought he was going to take me along with him!! I will write a report in a few days because two interesting things happened in the concerts, one cute thing with the baby and one not so cute thing.
WONDERFUL PHOTOS!
WE OF COURSE WANT MORE.. MORE.. MORE..
(are you caught up on your sleep yet?)
1969 Liberace Show plaing Tchaikovsky
And we MUST include........
Liberace playing Strauss
Thanks for these videos, Sally. They bring back memories. When I saw him, he hadn't quite reached his "glitzy" stage. He had a weekly TV show, and my grandmother took me a few times to see it filmed. And then one other time, we saw him at the Hollywood Bowl. These videos are fun and I enjoyed them. Hugs.
Thanks Sally for these wonderful YouTube sequences of "Lee". Wasn't he just a great performer? The world is really missing a wonderful entertainer. For those who had the opportunity to see Liberace in concert, my envy. For those who, like me, did not, well thank goodness for YouTube and other media avenues.
Thanks again Sally,
Love Ya Much
Grace
xxoo
I was just thinking of tickets/seats/artists. So many artists have passed without my being able to see them in concert, in a show, on stage or just plain ol in person.
I was however, directly in front of a mall, when it was announced Paul McCartney & Wings tickets would go on sale at 10am. It had been kept hush, not like Andre's leaking pre-sales. And it was 15 minutes before 10.
I rushed into Sears, which housed ticketmaster and I got 4 tickets. I could not believe it. There I was in the very front. I liked The Beatles, but had not followed them to closely on their own.
I tell you.. Paul ROCKED.
The con was they over sold the Cow Palace, and it was far...FAR.. too packed. But hey...for Sir Paul...I'd do that again.
Good morning, Sally. What a fun thing to do. There is a lesson here for sure. His would sure be a great concert to go to.
Hi Sally:
I read your item regarding the concert for Sir Paul McCartney and Wings. Thank goodness you were not injured. If there had have been an emergency evacuation of the Cow Palace, who knows what might have happened.
I am glad you enjoyed the concert and I am sure Wings put on an amazing musical show.
It just goes to show you that one can learn to be more keen and decisive when thinking about attending a show or concert. Thanks for the great advice, I know I really appreciate it.
You are right about Andre's concerts. People are given a great deal of information ahead of time. That to me shows concern and courtesy for the audience.
Thanks Again
Love Ya Much
Grace
xxoo
Grace, it's a different world now. If we never knew about Andre's concerts until the day the tickets went on sale, I think we would miss out completely. I would be at work, and boom...tickets all sold out. I like how we know where he will be and went sales start. I agree with you, it's considerate.
Re: Crowded Oversold Cow Palace
I took a childhood friend (Julie) with me to the concert. We got up to go to the front of the 'open floor' area, and we were pressed like sardines. Julie was not able to breathe and fainted. So over the railing and to the First Aid station she went. It took me 4 or so songs to make it back to my seat. No crowd surfing for me. I like the reserved seating!
One of the nicer things of the concert: When the band took a break, Paul sat at the edge of the stage with an acoustic guitar, the crowd went silent ... he started playing and singing. Unplugged (before there was such a thing).
I guess today, my car will have Beatles, Paul, and as always... ANDRE !