KING OF THE CASTLE
King
Of The
Castle
By Jane Wheatley
Violinist Andre Rieu is currently engaged on a world tour possessed of more hubris than the Rolling Stones and the Moscow State Circus rolled into one. There is a full-size replica of a Viennese palace complete with ballroom and ice rink; there are ballerinas, skaters and waltzing dancers; there is a golden coach drawn by six white horses, a Highland marching pipe band and a fountain that spurts in time to the music, there is a soprano flying over the heads of the orchestra and a thousand balloons descending from the sky and there is Rieu: centre stage, his image magnified on two giant screens to either side, bowing, beaming, applauding, urging his audience to sing along, to get up and dance in the aisles.
Later this year the whole prodigal caravan is coming to Australia (80 shipping containers, 36 horses, 100 set builders, 250 performers); several dates are sold out already and that’s before the Dutchman has played a single live note here. National sales of his recordings have topped the one million mark, DVD’s of his concert performances occupy 15 of the top 40 slots in the ARIA charts. The nation, it seems, has taken the maestro of classical-lite to its heart.
If there is a secret to Rieu’s extraordinary popular success, it is this: he knows what he likes - nothing better than a good old-fashioned waltz with plenty of lush orchestration - and he knows an awful lot of other people like it too. They may not know they do - “Classical music is not for us” he has heard countless times - but once they’ve watched Rieu up there on the podium conducting with one hand, waving his violin around in the other, applauding his orchestra and his dancers in their pretty dresses, chatting and joking in between numbers, they relax and begin to enjoy music they thought was only for silvertails. When the Ovation Channel started playing Rieu’s concert DVD’s viewing figures tripled; during pledge drives on PBS in America, when viewers show their appreciation of performers by donating money to charity, Rieu hauls in the punters like nobody else: “Now waltz to the phone and make your pledge,” he says, and they do.
There are novelists you may never have heard of but who are very Big Cheeses indeed, turning out a book every year and boasting worldwide sales that make Peter Carey look like a mini Babybel. They steam along under the literary radar, translated into 15 languages and adored millions. Andre Rieu achieves the same thing in the classical music world, where the elite shudder at his populist tastes. If critics deign to review his work at all, they are generally scathing, grudgingly acknowledging his charm, his wardrobe, and his colorful sets before sticking the knife in: he plays violin “adequately” but without “technique, style or sparkle”, his version of Chopin is an “offense against music”; the electronically generated reverb is “piled on like whipped cream”. But the audience has fun, they concede, and the “Schmaltz King” laughs all the way to the bank.” Rieu is the Liberace of the Violin”, the “Pied Piper of light classical music”; he is like a middle-aged version of Fabio, the hunk who adorns the cover of many a Mills and Boon romance. But he is also the Pauline Hanson of the concert hall, communing with middle Australia, understanding them, while Melbourne Symphony Orchestra season ticket holders put on solemn faces and gaze rapturously at a conductor with his back to them.
“It is a real pity classical music is shrouded in earnestness and elitism” laments Rieu in his self-published autobiography, “My Music, My Life”. “There is so much wonderful music that many more people would be able to enjoy if only it were presented to them in the right way.” And presentation comes first with Rieu: never one to shun the limelight, when he first started using ballet dancers at his concerts he invented a platform on wheels that trundled his orchestra to the front of the stage in between dances. Otherwise, how could he have that all-important “contact” with his audience?
On a chilly spring morning in Maastricht, principal city of Holland’s southern flatlands, I am chauffeur-driven to meet Rieu at his castle. Sitting on a high bluff overlooking the broad Maas River, the highway running south to Belgium, it is an elegantly proportioned building of butter cream Sandstone, with tall shuttered windows and a gray pitched roof - more French chateau than medieval keep. High walls and security gates enclose formal courtyards of pale gravel, clipped box hedges and beds of winter pansies. I wait in an antiroom on a tan leather sofa and contemplate the glass-fronted trophy cabinet containing a selection of Rieu’s awards while young women trip up and down the dark oak stairs leading to a suite of offices, hub of the Andre Rieu empire.
Shortly, one of them comes to usher me into The Presence - or at least into the very formal “Armour Rooms” where I am to sit on a silk covered Regency chair and await His pleasure, this may be what it feels like to have an audience with the Pope. Then he is here, big hair, dark blue suit with velvet cuffs and collar, black velvet slip on shoes. We sit at a round polished table beneath very large twin portraits of Rieu and his wife, Marjorie. The one of him was presented by a fan, he says, “but I could not hang there all by myself, so I asked him to paint her, too - from a photograph;they are both from photographs”.
The castle is his headquarters and his “public” home, but he lives next door in a more modest house: “That is where I have breakfast and do walking in pajamas” He and Marjorie moved there from the suburbs where they had brought up their two sons - “We have had only three homes, always in Maastricht; roots are very important to me” - and walked along the river one day looking up at the castle. “I said I would like to buy it; Marjorie said, ‘you will need to sell a lot of records’, and soon we did. My money people advised the purchase of a bigger house because we were paying too much tax”.
Rieu has not always endured the tax problems of the very rich, or employed people to deal with them (he has 60 permanent staff). For many years Marjorie handled promotions and finances - “She has a business brain, as a child she ran a penny library and gave ballet lessons to earn money” - while Rieu knocked on the doors of theatre owners, concert promoters and recording companies seeking exposure for his music. It was repeatedly rejected as “corny” and “old-fashioned”: nobody listens that sort of thing any more, he was told.
Educated in classical violin- his father was conductor of the Limburg Symphony Orchestra -Rieu and his five siblings grew up in a household where music was the centre of their lives. “The swinging 60’s passed us by,” he says. “In the hall next to the bathroom was a record player with the ‘record of the month’ on it. For a long time it was Carmina Burana, , played so loud you could hear it with your head under the bathwater.”
At 18 he went to Brussels to study music at the conservatorium, got work as a model but lost the job when he refused to pose in the nude. He was lonely and unhappy and fed up with the relentless slog of practice: “I escaped by falling in love”, he says. He and Marjorie had met some years before - she was a classmate of his older sister. “Then she came to visit me in Brussels. Yes! She came for me - I have not told anyone this before. She had vowed not to stay the night, but she did, of course, and we were together ever since.”
After what Rieu calls his brief “hippie period when he packed away his violin and caught up with the Beatles, he and Marjorie settled down, “and we both started working on my personal career.” By now a full-time member of the Limburg Symphony Orchestra, He also joined the Maastricht Salon Orchestra, a group of five young musicians who gave informal concerts around town, mainly for their own enjoyment. But the new recruit was more ambitious: “I had an irresistible urge to be the boss,” he says. When I ask Marjorie about it later she tells me: “Oh yes, there were difficulties. Andre would quit and then go back; eventually he got his own way.” The ensemble were soon playing music “from the good old days”, gleaned from a collection of old shellac recordings inherited from Rieu’s father-in-law and their early gigs were in nursing homes. “It was there that I realized how much music can mean to people,” says Rieu. “You an drive away their sorrow, pain and loneliness for a while.” Slowly the Salon Orchestra expanded its audience and its repertoire, Rieu instigated his chatty little talks in between numbers and added food to the format, offering pickled herring and hot chocolate along with Toselli’s Serenade - the ensemble’s “super romantic” signature tune. They borrowed money to cut their first record and Rieu badgered radio stations to give it airplay. One producer made a mix of the Serenade with a recording of a nightingale singing and broadcast it nightly; audiences loved it, a record company agreed to put it out as a single and the Salon Orchestra received its first gold record.
Rieu describes the long path to his “current overwhelming success” as a steady uphill climb. But the big breakthrough came in 1994 when his Johann Strauss Orchestra, formed seven years earlier, released The Second Waltz by Shostakovich, which became an overnight hit, followed a month later by an album From Holland With Love. Interviewed on the country’s premier pop station, Rieu introduced a track from the album with a slogan coined by his son Marc - “not house, but Strauss” - and within weeks the CD was in the Top 10 where it stayed for a year. “Only Michael Jackson’s Thriller sold more”, Rieu tells me. Suddenly he was a household name, playing a solo before a capacity crowd at half time at AFC Ajax - Amsterdam’s soccer team, inundated with fan mail and invitations to chat shows. When the orchestra’s debut television concert was broadcast it broke ratings records and was picked up by PBS in the U.S. where Rieu acquired an instant following. Two years later the orchestra set off on its first North American tour. “So you see,” says Rieu smiling, “hard work can make dreams come true.”
A young woman brings us coffee (the custom-made “Andre Rieu” blend: and plates of torte - sour cherry on pastry with a topping meringue and whipped cream. All his HQ staff are women: “I prefer working with them,” he says. “They are quick and straightforward.” He has legions of female fans and the occasional trouble with a stalker: “The rule is, never speak to her, otherwise she will say, “You love me, you just don’t admit it”. I am generous after a performance: I give thousands of autographs, but I can’t stand it when they stake out the bar at the hotel. People think they own me!”
He is on tour a great deal; is he never bouleverse by a beautiful woman? “Of course! I am a healthy man. Renoir was 80 when he got a new kitchen maid and he started painting again. “The two most beautiful things in life are women and music.”
His arrangements of classical pieces are lush, romantic - some would say sentimental. “I often get the strings to play an octave higher - it is more romantic - and I use rubato a lot (changing the tempo of a piece with ‘stolen’ time). I take what I like: for example the third movement of Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 has a fantastic melody but then Brahms goes off all over the place.” He waves his arms around. “So I have the idea to take the melody alone, maybe a five minute piece. People say you can’t do that, but why not?” So he just takes the easy bits? “Yes, but why shouldn’t you make it easier for people to listen to classical music? You make the introduction, then they may go on to listen to a whole concert of Bruch”. He doesn’t seem to play austere music. “What do you mean?” Well perhaps some sacred vespers - Mozart’s Laudate Dominum, for example. He brightens: “Oh yes? That is wonderful. I am going to do that, I promise.” He picks up his mobile phone: “I am making a reminder to myself.”
It is hard not to warm to Rieu, he is such an enthusiast. He recently designed and commissioned a beautiful orangey - tall slender windows framed in gothic, iron arches - which stands opposite the house. “Come I will show you.” We cross the courtyard, with its topiaried peacocks and reproduction stone fountain from Florence, and enter the moist microclimate of the glass house. It is filled with tropical plants - hibiscus, papaya, gardenias and orchids; tiny golden birds flit about through the foliage. “I like them,” he says. “They don’t make much noise, just a low tweeting. I also have quail but they are hiding.” He can spend hours in here, he says. “Other people buy Ferraris; I like this.”
It is time to leave - Rieu has to be at the studio to rehearse his soloists: “Jane will come with me.” he instructs his hovering PA. We walk down the path from the castle between banks of massed rhododendrons, another of Rieu’s designs--”The soil is not right for them,” he concedes, “but we are fixing it.” In the world of Andre Rieu, pH balance is just another inconvenience to be swept aside. At the foot of the steps, under his pretty house with its yellow walls and white shutters, is the garage -- doors operated by remote control, CCTV, a wall of mirrors so it seems there are four cars instead of two and, in front of the mirrors, an array of gym equipment. His wife Marjorie appears through an internal door from the house, a small, composed woman with a frizz of dark hair and owlish spectacles. She settles herself in the front passenger seat and the V12 Mercedes purrs out onto the highway. “Does Jane have good life insurance?” she asks demurely. Rieu has already told me that the studio is a 10 minute car journey from the castle, but only four if he is driving. The car has TV screens, walnut trim and all the other accouterments of high end motoring, but Rieu isn’t interested in those: “I like what is under the bonnet.” he says. I am a big fan of Jeremy Clarkson and his Top Gear TV program. That guy has so much fun.” He negotiates a roundabout with one hand on the wheel, pressing buttons on a mobile phone with the other. Why doesn’t he have a hands-free set? “It’s my new iPhone,” he says, holding it up. “The car kit is not available yet.” So he is a gadget freak as well? “Oh yes,” he agrees happily.
There are two large buses outside the studio, each in blue Andre Rieu livery. There is also a traveling kitchen and a fitness bus fitted out with exercise bikes, running machines and yoga mats. Rieu waves a hand; “fitness, health, good diet - all very important when you are doing 120 concerts a year.” Inside the studio building - designed by Rieu himself, of course - there is a spacious foyer and a big light-filled room with a bar, colorful canteen-style furniture and a wall of windows opening onto a terrace. Rieu greets a vivacious, blonde young woman, exchanging the ritual three kisses and introducing her with old-fashioned courtesy. This is Mirusia Louwerse, known simply as Mirusia, a 23 year old soprano from Brisbane, and Rieu’s latest discovery. “She is a talent fresh from the bush,” he told me earlier. “ Her aunt wrote recommending her - people are always writing to me about child prodigies - so I went on her website, heard and saw her, was impressed, so I rang her up.”Rieu disappears into the studio and Mirusia takes up the tale: “I was at home and my dad said, ‘it’s someone called Andre for you.’ I couldn’t believe it was him! He said, ‘can you come and sing for me tomorrow?’ and I said, ‘yes’ and then, ‘Well, perhaps the next day, because it is a long way’” She had seen a Rieu DVD at home; “everyone looked so happy; he never plays sad dreary things. I wanted to do the same as him!” She joined the Rieu entourage a year ago, plays starring roles in the Stadium concerts - including a turn as a flying angel - and performs duets with Rieu on his new album, an unashamedly crowd-pleasing tribute to his Australian fans which includes Waltzing Matilda, (twice), Home Among the Grumtrees, Botany Bay and I Still Call Australia Home.
“You enjoy yourself all the time with Andre.” she says with a dazzling smile and a little shake of the blonde curls that tumble around her shoulders. She is dressed in a peacock-blue satin blouse, wide cinched belt and short denim skirt above long black boots, and I am wondering if she is in some sort of costume, but she says no, she just likes clothes. “I love performing,” she confides, “always have, They had to drag me off the stage at kindergarten” so floating six meters above the ballroom of a replica Viennese palace, dressed as an angel singing in front of 25,000 must feel pretty good? “I love it” she beams. (I know there is a lot of beaming in this story, but that’s how it is on Planet Rieu).
Mirusia is called for rehearsal and we walk through the control room with its banks of computers and audio equipment and into the studio the size of a small concert hall, minus the audience, rows of ornate metal music stands and 12 vast chandeliers suspended from the ceiling. A young Dutch soloist sings Vilia from Lehar’s The Merry Widow while Rieu conducts from the other side of the piano, his face a pantomime of expressions. At a particularly poignant phrase, he wants her voice to catch on a little sob, he says, burying his head in his hands to demonstrate, shoulders shaking. Restraint is not a feature of the Rieu repertoire. Then the two girls stand together to sing a duet and Marjorie suggests that for their performance they could be dressed as Meissen porcelain figurines, pirouetting on a rotating musical box. “Perfect” exclaims Rieu, smiling broadly at his wife. “We are always discussing music and ideas”, she tells me “we do everything together.” But she doesn’t accompany him on overseas tours because she hates flying, does she worry about female fans? She shrugs, “no, that is not a problem”. She shuns publicity and it was a condition of our interview that she would not appear in any photographs. Rieu once missed out on a Paris Match cover story because he would not let them photograph him with Marjorie; at the height of his fame in the Netherlands, paparazzi flew in helicopters over their home and pushed their lenses through the front gates, hoping for a shot of the elusive wife. “We don’t sell any more tickets if Marjorie is involved.” Rieu told me. “it’s only fodder for the gossip press - and she doesn’t want to be recognized when she goes to the supermarket.” But I think - uncharitably perhaps - (editors note: uncharitable indeed) that it’s also because this perfectly pleasant but ordinary-looking little Jewish woman doesn’t fit the image of her husband with his mane of hair and glamorous, slightly ageing roue (pronounced roo-A) looks.
Andre Rieu Productions is a family affair: his son Pierre is his production manager - “His predecessors stole a lot of money from me” - marketing and promotion is done largely in house. “In the UK and the US, record companies don’t promote me properly, he says. His only UK concert filled the Albert Hall but lost money once the promoter and expenses were paid. “Now I arrange and market all my own concerts; in Dublin I sat down in a little radio studio, played The Blue Danube and the concert sold out.” His secret weapon in Australia, he says, is Cyrus Meher-Homji at Universal Music, who has energetically promoted the Rieu brand, stoking such a head of steam that when the violinist visited in September last year, thousands turned up to his record-store signings. The following week his DVD’s occupied nine out of the top 10 placed in the ARIA chart. Since then, Andre Rieu at Schoenbrunn, Vienna has gone seven times platinum. “I am so moved, he said. “I love Australia and feel something within me has changed.” (in fact, Rieu will be visiting the eastern states next month on a promotional tour.)
When he was a little boy, Rieu watched the well-known violinist Herman Krebber playing: “I thought, I want to be as famous as him; in my dreams I stood on the stage in the spotlight, playing to a full house.” He didn’t say, “I wanted to play the violin as beautifully as Mr. Krebber.” He could have chosen the life of a soloist, he says, “But this life is better.” His wife nods; “he is living his dreams,” she says.
WOW O WOW O WOW
Jeanine, this is one of the best articles I have read. Thank you so much for putting this up.
Thank you to Jane for the time & work (if you call meeting with Andre work) you put into this article.
I have not seen anything better!
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Hey, Jeanine, what a great article. The pictures are great, too, particularly the top one ! Yum !
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I must say, this article says it all and truthfully, I am impressed!
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Thanks to you Jeanine Ann for placing this article so lovely; and to Jane Wheatley for writing a great article. You both deserve a warm and loving hug and kiss.
It was very informative and descriptive. There were a few things about Andre I did not know before. I never knew he had a few "stalkers". Now I understand why he has said in the past he has bodyguards.
I just do not get that part I guess. Who would want to hurt or literally think Andre Rieu would personally be part of their life?
See Andre in concert, purchase his DVD's and CD's and maybe, if you can, get an autograph but that is where I think the line is drawn.
To me, go home with a lovely memory of a lovely evening and share it with your friends and family. Better even, go onto wonderful sites like this one to read about the musical life of the JSO and how it is ever changing and growing.
I also never knew that Andre and Marjorie live in a modest home next to the castle. I never knew too that Andre walk around in his PJ's! That is so cute!
I always love to read about how Marjorie has done so much to create this business and to promote Andre's dream. I also loved to read about how they met and that they have been together ever since! Now that is a love story to remember!
Last but not least thanks to Pierre and Marc and for Marjorie and Andre letting them have a chance to be a part of a wonderful, lovely, creative musical business venture.
Also, thanks to all of you on Fans and Friends who want to uphold Andre and his wonderful music. I just received in the mail today, while I was writing this, a package for Maastricht with the CD's I have ordered! How exciting!
Well I would love to stay and write but I have to open my parcel, put on some of my new Andre CD's and do some work!
It truly is a wonderful world. Love to you all and thanks again Jeanine Ann and Jane!
Much Love
Grace
xxoo
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Thanks Jeanine Ann for posting this. This is a very good article from Jane Wheatley. I assume she's Austrailian? I have seen, on our own PBS station, some of the hosts who have been invited to Andre's castle for an interview, they usually show a bit of it but I've never seen them do an article about it.Not many get to meet with Marjorie either.
Frankly, I can understand the need and wish for privacy. The paparazzi can be very rude & overbearing & not always flattering. They like to see someone at their most embarrasing & worst times too. I think most fans understand & respect Marjorie's wish. I am wondering about the comment "doesn't fit the image of her husband" though. I remember when I first read "the book" & saw her picture, thinking I can understand why he would fall in love with this lady, those big beautiful brown eyes and equally beautiful smile, all that and smart too. I don't know about "image" but I think she's the perfect wife for Andre( not that he needs or wants my approval) but that's just my thoughts on the matter. I always think well, who would anyone think would "fit his image". I can think of no one better than Marjorie. She's a lady of class & I think she fits perfectly.
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I agree Shirley, that is why I put the Ed. note on the page. It was uncharitable but it was part of the article so I had to include it. I think Marjorie is perfect for Andre. Hugs
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I just learned that the dates for Maastricht are confirmed for 2009, July 10, 11, 12 but no word on when tickets will be sold.
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Hi Shirley, you have indeed a great point about fitting the image.
To me, Marjorie does not certainly fit the image of concerts that are seen by many many people from all over the world. The parties afterwards that are held for the JSO, etc. Even the photography taken for Andre to increase his popularity and to get his musical work out to many many more who may not know of it.
Marjorie certainly does fit Andre's personality personally when they are at home in Maastricht, going for walks, talking, etc. In other words, in their private life together as a family including Marc and Pierre and other close knit friends and relatives.
That is just a notion I have when I think of it.
Love Ya Much Shirley
Grace
xxoo
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I think Marjorie is a very smart lady. And it is wonderful that fans give her -- her own space and privacy.
I'm with you Jeanine Ann, I didn't think Marjorie 'unglamorous' at all. I think she is pretty, with a bright smile and expressive eyes.
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You make an excellent point Sally. Marjorie is beautiful in her own way, just as you or I are. She does have lovely eyes and and beautiful smile. From the pic that Andre carries around with him, I see a classy, demure, intelligent looking person who deserves much respect for all her hard work and belief in Andre.
Love Much
Grace
xxoo
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What a wonderful posting Jeanine Ann, I
enjoyed every single word. I read and re
read this very special article. I was so drawn into the words, that as I read each word it was as if I was somewhere in that room and picturing these talks, and sneaking a peak of Andre in his PJ's
this was such a warm and human look into
Andre's private life, which he most gracioulsy let the inter-viewer also share. What a beautiful relationship both Andre and Marjorie share, the trust
that speaks for itself. No wonder this
absolute love has made "Andre's Come True"; Marjorie stood by her man from the very beginning. Be it a pizza business they had contemplated during the lull period, up until love, family,
companionship all working together made
this "One In A Million Man" become OUR
idol who has such a faithful following, which keeps on growing in numbers. I need not add any more, this moving article says it all and much more.I do not know how to convey the love I got from this. Many thanks Jeanine Ann. :}
OH-WOW-OH-WOW, WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY TO BE ALIVE!
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""I am generous after a performance: I give thousands of autographs, but I can’t stand it when they stake out the bar at the hotel. People think they own me!”"
Just a note, I have been to concerts with people who do just this. In Sacramento, Vernice, Marilyn and I, stood back, and watched as Andre & the JSO were bombarded by intrusive 'fans'. The orchestra was trying to relax after playing for hours on stage, under hot lights, after they had rehearsed during the day...and here were intrusive fans pestering them.
Reading André's own words, I am so thankful that although I have met them all at various times, I have also not intruded on their personal time. André clearly does not like it.
I think that's something most of us Fans are aware and respectful of...personal time for André Rieu and the JSO. We love them enough to respect their 'off' time.
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Yes Sally, that is exacty what happened in Florida. We were sitting having a drink and two other women were pesting Johann because they wanted something but don't know what and he was trying to tell them in a nice way - no. They got mad at him and even said something to us when we left. I tried to tell them that this is their private time but they didn't understand that. They called the whole group rude. I would not dream of going near him (okay I may dream of it) on his down time nor the JSO. I really would be afraid to approach Andre. I know he doesn't want bothered even though I would give a million dollars to have a photo with him. I just cannot bother him. Now if he was giving autographs I would ask for a photo, a real quick one, but that is the only time. Hugs
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Jeanine Ann you did the right thing. You are one of Andre and JSO's biggest fans and you still know what is proper.
Never mind about things like that happening. Just know that there are plenty of people here on this site and elsewhere who respect your words and admire you for being a loving, respectful fan of Andre.
Keep putting up pics and sending the information. I myself and I am sure many more here on Fans and Friends just love to read and see what you have to put up on the site.
Thanks for Everything
You are GREAT!!
Love Much
Grace
xxoo
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Grace, everything you say is true. I hope Jeanine Ann knows how much we all appreciate her. I know of no one who deserves more to have their picture taken with Andre.
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I second, third and fourth.....
that!
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That's what makes us different I think. We'd all like his photograph with us, perhaps an autograph, but at the appropriate time.
I've debated with a woman who called Andre 'rude' and said he needed to be 'nicer' to his fans, when what really bothered her, was he didn't stop his concert preparations in Maastricht to say hello, wave, pose for her camera. I tried to explain for him to do this for every fan, would take up all his time, and we'd never have a concert. She disagrees, feeling she is special and he 'owes' it to his fans to do this for them. So we agreed to disagree.
André and in fact, all of the JSO gives us so much. I do not think it wrong of them to want some personal time.
This article clearly shows he values his personal space and time. (as he should)
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Sally, when I was with my daughter in Cortona, we knew where André was staying but we stayed in a hotel 3 km away from Cortona, we were the only fans there and had our peace. I saw all the stalkers there and I stayed away from them, we did not even hang around in Cortona in the daytime when they had their sound checks, only the first day we checked out how to park there and saw André coming out of the hotel. Jutta, my daughter took my camera and she pointed to André and asked silently, if she could take a picture and he just knotted and she took 2 pictures came back to me and said: "You got your pictures mum, lets go to Siena now!" I hate to ask anybody for an autograph it is for me humiliating, that I leave to others, I did not even want to take a picture. I do never understand how some people can be so persistent and follow a star, if possible to his bed room.
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Inge, I know you are a woman of class, and the way you show respect to others, proves it.
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I very much enjoyed reading this article, thank you Jeanine Ann for sharing it. I also thank Jane Wheatley for writing it.
I agree with Sally and Jeanine Ann about the "down time" and not bothering André and the JSO. I can only imagine what it would be like to want to sit down and relax after a concert, or, during personal time, only to have to deal with fans who don't respect a moment of peace.
I figure that the "time" I get with André and the JSO is "concert time"...their off time, is their own, and I shall always respect that.
I enjoyed the backtracking into André's life, although I have read much of it in the book "My Music, My Life". I so appreciate any comments that André gives us in regards to his life...as that IS his personal life. When he shares it, I feel appreciative and thankful for the honesty and any information, not from a personal standpoint, but that André felt comfortable enough to share a portion of his life with his fans.
Marjorie has my total respect, not only does she stand beside André in all that he does, she contributes in so many ways. I respect her and her family's wishes for privacy.
If I were Jane Wheatley, I probably would have chosen another way of describing Marjorie, ("doesn’t fit the image of her husband") I believe that she is selling Marjorie far short. She is an intelligent lady and beautiful in a million ways.
I was thinking today about what André said, in reference to Brahms' Symphony No. 3, about "taking the melody alone, maybe a five minute piece. People say you can't do that, but why not?" He says.
André doesn't conform to the ABC's of Classical music, or any other music for that matter. It's close enough to know which piece of music it is, of course, but André puts his personal touch on a song. I laugh, when a while back someone said that André doesn't play classical music as it was orginally played, or words to that affect. I say...if he had to do that...then it wouldn't be André Rieu! André gives André's touch to André's music...that's what I love so much about his music. It's André's style...not how everyone thinks it should be.
I happen to love André's style, that's what I enjoy so much. His beautiful music and his choice of what he plays, his expressions, the way he plays the violin, his humor and his obvious respect for his fans...providing they leave him alone in his off time
I am truly happy that André is able to live his dreams...he certainly worked hard enough to do just that!
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Marlene Warren, have you ever heard: opposites attract???? I believe Jane Wheatley, after all she came closer to Marjorie than any of the fans ever will, if she sees her like that, I think she is right, I have no clue how Marjorie is, because she never talked to me and she stays in the background, André likes the lamp light ,so that makes them already opposites, does it not???????? I often wonder where people know from how Marjorie is or even André, we see André on stage and in interviews that is not the real André, we just have to take the reporters word for it, that is how the people want to be seen.
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Hi everyone, since we all seem to be on this page I just want to alert you that the pre-sale for Reading, Pa. concert has started. I just got a call from my contact and in a moment of extreme weakness I took two tickets in first row center for $600 a pr. Includes a meet and greet and Wonderland DVD, like I need another one but I thought next year may be our last for first row. My husband calls it insanity and he is probably right. This man has me hooked and in my extreme weekness I took the bait. Well we may be eating cat food one of these years like I said. The concert is April 27, 2009 at the Sovereign Center. Will be on the concert page later today. Hugs
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Ha ha, Jeanine Ann, I knew you couldn't resist! Well I've heard that Kibbles & Bits are quite tasty!
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Hello everyone and special thanks for this alert.How do i get the tickets in a front row center???? I called the PBS and was told to come back in middle of September. But by then all good tickets will be sold. I've been to few of Andre's concerts and no matter how much I pay and how fast I buy, I always get seating either totally to the side or far from stage. I almost gave up on the concerts as it is not worth to pay so much and only watch the big screen.
My dream is to ( if I'm lucky ) catch the eye contact, or have the balloons or snow or whatever falls down to rain on me.
Please help me out in getting good tickets. Who do I call and how to go about it? Any help from you ( if you could ) would be greatly appreciated.
You can contact me via my email if more appropriate.
I am an avid reader of this site for almost a year ( so you have one more admiring friend you did not know about )but I've never dared to write ( troubles with my English ) until now. I am desperate and beg for your help.
My best wishes to all
Jolanta
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Hello
I really enjoy you site
Jolanta
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Inge, you make an excellent point.
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Yes, Inge, I have heard of "opposites attract".
Although I know there are many reasons for a relationship, not only that someone is "opposite", but they also find many common areas of interest in their lives.
There are obvious similarities in many areas, and whatever the reason, I believe that André and Marjorie found it long ago.
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I agree with you Inge, we do not know Andre only the persona that is portrayed on stage. As many actors and musicians, we see what they want us to see. Well I too agree with Jane Wheatley's description of Marjorie, why should she not give the public the true straight story? I do not know Marjorie nor do I feel the need, I only know of her and what I have seen of her. My husband and I have seen Marjorie and Andre both several times together and her alone when we visited Maastricht in different casual settings before he became popular in the US and I think Jane Wheatly is right on how she portrays Marjorie from what we have seen. We do enjoy Andre's music and we have attended his open-air concerts many times in Europe. To me it is about him the musician, not her and I do not feel any obligation to her whatsoever in any way. Marjorie and or Andre do not take up any time or space in my mind in any way other than we attend his concerts occasionaly when we are in Europe. We pay the ticket, enjoy his music, we go home and live our life, our teenage years are behind us for swooning!
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Hi Peggy, so nice to hear from you again. Here are my thoughts, rather different from yours but that is fine. I don't know Marjorie either but I expect I will see her next year in Maastricht but I would be honored to meet her although that will never happen. Andre and his music occupy a great deal of my life and my time. I spend many hours a day searching for ways to help advance his career or bring some other person to come to know him. Sometimes I act like a teenager and if you want to call it swooning that is good because it is accurate and that is what keeps me and probably others going. I need Andre's music in my daily life, not because I don't have anything else but because it enhances what I already have. I look forward to the concert like a teenager looks forward to a date or the prom. This is what keeps me young. Others need his music in their daily lives because of illness or infirmity. His music heals the body and the soul.
I feel Marjorie is partly responsible for what Andre has become because she is part of what he does, she is his ideas, his support and his no. one cheerleader. So I feel I owe her a big thank you for all she has done to stand beside Andre through all the years which must have been difficult at times until he was established.
I believe we see Andre on stage as he really is. Sure he is a performer but you cannot perform that feeling he has when he plays the beautiful music and you cannot perform that look in his eyes.
Stay tuned to the blog. I will be writing something on this very subject. Thanks so much for writing Peggy. Hugs
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This conversation has certainly gotten interesting.I understand all viewpoints, but I'm thinking to each his own. Jeanine, I was 65 when I first heard & saw Andre on TV, first thing I told my friend is "I think I'm in love". Know what she told me? She said "hey, that just shows you ain't dead yet"!
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Well I am 63 and not dead yet either, but jumping in the bed with Andre is the furthest from my thoughts,not that I would get a chance, but that does not say I do not enjoy his music because I do.
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On this we agree Peggy. I think there are only a few fans, none of them here, who have silly thoughts about Andre.
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Oh my gosh Peggy, I don't think anyone is talking about "jumping into bed" with with anybody.
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I certainly wasn't.
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Not me! : )
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Hi Jeanine Anne, Thanks! Absolutely, everyone has a different opinion and we are all different and that is good! I do believe on being straight forward and up front too. I love classicial music as well as a variety of music depending on my moods and days. I think Andre does enjoy his music and the feeling he gets from performing certainly seems genuine. I also think he enjoys going to the bank with the results as well, so there is a trade off!! However, I do think it is over the top when you charge $600. and $700. for tickets, this does not happen in Europe!! That pretty much says a lot to me in terms of who can afford to attend these concerts and certainly not all seniors can indulge this amount! I am sure Andre is aware of this, if he is not then Marjorie certainly is. We could afford it, but I would rather put that on a ticket for Europe, and/or shopping in Europe, then again everyone is different. At the same time, we would never think of invading their privacy or "get in their face" sort of thing when we meet them, or stalk them either. We just nod, say "good evening" and pass on.
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Peggy, I agree, I think 6 & $700 is way too much for my husband & I but many will pay it. Since PBS is involved maybe they get part of the proceeds, I don't really know how much. I've heard that ticket prices in Europe are less expensive, maybe when he crosses an ocean it is more expensive too. As for me, I guess I'll have to buy the dvds, much cheaper seats, right in my own living room.
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Hi Shirley, yes it is too much for anyone I would think eventhough some pay it. I know many people who would love to go to his concert, but they don't want to pay that price. We never paid anymore than $85. in Europe for tickets and we sat up front each time and we have seen in in Germany several times, in Austria twice, In Netherlands once, in Copenhagen once. Once we sat 3 rows back the most distance, but he would not get that price in Europe anywhere,people will not pay that price. I noticed he started that meet and greet in the US and then the price went up from there, but it is in the US. Once I said that in response to an Andre GB question, and I was sensored, it did not go through. Have a good rest of the day Shirley!
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Hi Inge, we agree again! Imagine my surprise after all we have only been writing each other now for nine years! Maybe see you in Germany this year!
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Bonne appetite Jeanine Ann with the cat food, I agree with your husband, haaaaaaa! I rather buy miniatures for that money, there stops my insanity for André, here they ask even 7OO.-- for that and I will not dish it out.
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I am thinking perhaps Jane, in writing this article was surprised to find Marjorie not plastered in make up, having gone through 17 surgeries, and wearing skirts far too short, even for a teenager. You know the type, I call them HollyWeird. No, Marjorie isn't fake and put-on, she is a real woman, beautiful in her own right. That's my take on it.
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I agree Sally.
That is kind of what I was trying to say...I think a woman should be assessed on her own abilities, personality and quality, rather than on looks, or whether or not she does or "doesn't fit the image of her husband".
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Shirley, by the way for Front and Center tickets in Brussels on Sept 13th, for US exchange it is $216. US, 146 Euros. I just checked on tickets for that concert.
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Hi Peggy, we met through the GB from André, but that is not what it used to be anymore, I do not go in there anymore, but I met a few nice people and still converse with them a lot. By the way I will fly to Germany August 26, my daughter gets married August 29 and I will visit a Miniature show in Giessen Sept. 6, the only André concert in the vicinity is Belgium, but I do not go, most likely the tickets are gone, the best ones anyway, so I just enjoy the Alps and Vienna for sure.
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Inge, is this Jutta that is getting married? It must be an exciting time for her! And for you too. I wish her all the best
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Yes, Sally it is Jutta, the one flying through the air in skating and who was with me in Maastricht last year. Thanks for your good wishes, I will tell her.
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Helen, have you ever met any of the JSO? I've met most all of them and not just at meet & greets. They are always nice and kind. That should be inspiring to you.
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Wouldn't it be nice if people would read the above article and pay attention to where André himself says he does not like to be Stalked, and Bothered when he is on personal time?
André is always polite, but he clearly says he likes his personal time to be personal. Whatever must he think of stalkers who block the path to the buses, refuse to allow time for sports or recreation, stalk their hotels and so on? tsk tsk. I'd never behave so poorly, and thankfully most of us Fans would not do such things.
I do appreciate how Andre gave the author time for this interview. This man works so much, practicing, producing, developing, performing and promoting. Whew. I do not know where he finds the time.
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ALL people are entitled to their private time, including André and the JSO. I,too, believe that most fans respect André and the JSO enough to allow them their peace and quiet, which is their right and a necessity of life.
I really think this was a good interview.
I believe that André was able to say things that he needed, and wanted, to say, including what he said about people thinking they own him.
If everyone would take themselves away from the moment and respect André's (and JSO's) private life, without being selfish, it would be only right.
I don't know where he finds the time for all he does either. It's humbling to know that André works so hard and long all his life, to bring such beautiful music and happiness to everyone in the world.
I totally respect him for that. Thank you André for ALL you do, you have no idea how much it's appreciated!
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Hello everybody.
It is so nice to finally meet you.
Jolanta
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Hello Jolanta, it is so nice to have you here with us. I did email some information to you regarding the Newark concert. I hope you get great seats.
I am sure everyone here will welcome you to the site. There are a lot of nice fans here. Hugs
WELCOME TO JOLANTA!
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Hi Jolanta. Glad you finally stepped in the door.I hope you get good seats for your concert. Let us know all about it.Seems like a long time now, but it will be here before you know it.By the way, it's nice meeting you too.
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WELCOME TO OUR SITE 'JOLANTA', I can tell you honestly theses are the "BEST" bunch of fans you will ever find. I had so many questions when I first started, and you'd be surprised how many wonderful fans just jumped in and helped me out. And they will attest, I am still asking questions. By the way, Jeanine Ann, my comment on "The Fairy Tale"?, after I sent it out, I answered my own question. Again, good to have you at our site Jolanta. Smiles & Cheers
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Thank you everyone for a very warm welcome.
But first things first: HUGE THANKS to Jeanine Ann for ALL her help and to Sally for squeezing me in ( even though the computer would not let me register ).
I feel like I already know everyone because I'm reading this blog for almost a year. Just never dared to write - you guys write so beautifully. I know there are only friends here with the same goal in mind: to help each other to know Andre and enjoy his talent to the fullest.
Once more: great to finally be here and thanks for your welcome.
Jolanta
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Hi!
I'm so glad to find this place. You all are so friendly that I feel one more of you righ now.
And after reading a lot, I think this is THE place for exchanging comments about our favorite artist, Andre Rieu.
Let me introduce myself.
My name is Patricia and I'm from Buenos Aires, Argentina but I'm living in Spain now, since last year.
Well, I'm a big fan of Andre since I watched an interview on TV when he was in Argentina for a few days many years ago, but I think it was a like a promo tour or something like that, because he was alone and didn't give any concert.
I must confess that the first thing I thought while I was watching the interview was that I liked him very much because he was a very handsome man, with his beautiful eyes and his shining smile.
After, I noticed he was a very nice person too, very kind, full of sense of humor and I liked him even more.
I didn't know anything about Andre until that moment, not a clue about he or his orchestra or his music.
At the end of the brief interview, he played his violin a little, I don't remember what piece of music. But I loved it.
2 or 3 days later I was in a music store, spending some time there, not looking for anything special. Just killing time. And suddenly, an Andre Rieu CD was in front of me ...! It was the only one and the cover picture of his face inmmediately remind me of him and the interview and everything.
I bought it without a doubt.
I think I listened that music millions of times.
Then I discover that Amazon had a lot of CDs and DVDs and I started my collection buying almost everything I found. And after that I discovered the official Andre Rieu site, so I bought there some items I didn't knew.
When I watch the first DVD I couldn't believe what this man was able to do in a concert. Until that moment I've just enjoyed his music but I haven't idea about his live performances, his JSO and the singers and the stages so beautifully decorated. It was amazing, drove me crazy more and more.
And to make the story short, when I came to Spain to live, in some corner of my mind I though "I'm nearest to Andre now, here in Europe. Maybe he'll come to Madrid someday or I'll travel to attend one of his shows".
Well, friends, my first surprise was to see through his website that the tickets for his concerts are sold out since the first day ... more or less.
The second surprise was that on the second semester of 2007 he would tour not in Europe but in US and Japan!
So I waited patiently and at last, I could attend my first Andre concert LIVE in Frankfurt last February. I went with my mother, 83 years old, and she became more fan than myself after saw him there!
On January I bought the ticket to go to France on August 29 and see his show "A romantic night in Vienna". My God! I can't describe this superbe concert ...
And Andre spoke a lot in a perfect french! What a gifted man in every way!
I hope not to have bored you and sorry if I made many mistakes with my English.
Love you!
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Welcome Patricia.Thank you for stopping by.There is nothing wrong with your English and certainly your words are not boring! I am so happy you were finally able to attend a concert. Since you are from Argentina, have you heard Suzan sining "Don't Cry For Me Argentina"? If you can find the cd or dvd of New York Memories, it will be on there. Ever since I heard and saw Evita I became enraptured over the story of Eva Peron and Argentina. Well, so now you are in Spain. Maybe you will get a chance to see more concerts, just keep an eye on Andre's agenda on his web site.I truly hope you will visit us often. Thank you so much for your comments. As Jeanine Ann would say, "love & hugs" to you too.
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Welcome from me also Patricia. So glad you could join us. This is a great group of fans and friends run by Webmaster Sally who is without her computer at this moment but she will return soon. We talk about many things here, our favorite being conversations about our Maestro Andre Rieu. I would suggest you check around the site for all the different pages and articles, photos and special items that will keep you occupied for a long time.
Please come back and post again. We will be delighted to hear from you.
Love and hugs,
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Thanks to you too for your welcome, Jeanine Ann.
I found many information here and read a lot about our favorite Maestro. There's a bunch of pictures, videos, articles, everything very interesting.
But after reading the posts above you made me curious about Marjorie. I know she's Andre's wife, the mother of his 2 sons and a very important person in the entire creation and organization of the concerts.
Where can I find a picture of her? I know she wishes privacy but I also think there must be a pic somewhere around because reading the comments someone commented about her eyes, her hair, etc.
Can you satisfy my curiosity?
Thanks in advance.
Love & hugs,
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Hi Patricia, we have a policy on this web site not to publish photos of Marjorie because it is her wish not to have photos of herself on the internet. What I will do for you is to send you a photo via email. If you have Marjorie's book whick she wrote about Andre (they are really his words) you can find several photos of Marjorie. It is called "My Music, My Life" and can be bought on Andre's Boutique at www.andrerieu.com (Andre's official site). But in the meantime I will email you. I believe Marjorie is a very nice lady who loves Andre very much. Glad you like our web site. Love and hugs back to you.
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Hi again and thank you for your answer.
I understand and respect very much Marjorie's wishes for her privacy.
I do not follow the people I admire or ask for an autograph or a picture with them except very special ocasions when I notice that I can do it without causing any trouble. I respect their right to privacy and having their private life like anyone else.
I'll buy the book, I'm very interested in reading the whole story.
And I´ll be very glad if until the book arrives you can send me the picture by email. You must have it because it was required when I posted here. If not, let me know and I'll send it to you.
Thanks again. You're very very nice.
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Thanks for your warm welcome, Shirley!
I have the New York Memories DVD -one of my favorites- and I listened Suzan singing "Don't cry for me Argentina". She has a wonderful voice and I like very much her interpretation of this song.
Evita, the musical, is not very representative of the real story of Eva Peron and her short life but I recognize she's worldwide known and even more after the musical created by Lloyd Webber.
On the other hand, yes, here in Europe I'll have the chance to see more concerts of Andre. Lucky me!
My next "date" with him is on October 12 in Toulouse, France. I´ll take my mother again or she´ll never forget me.
It's wonderful because I can do two things I love at the same time: traveling and visiting new places, like Frankfurt and Toulouse and as a real big and great bonus see one of Andre's concerts too.
I never thought that I could see Andre's live performances 3 times in a year!
About this, I'd like to ask something.
Maybe you or one of the other fans can give me an answer: I check regularly Andre's agenda on his website and I found the shows scheduled until February 2009.
But I read here, somewhere, that there are dates for a US tour next year and 1 or 2 concerts in Maastricht next summer. Is that true?
Which is the source for the information about his concerts in 2009?
Because I'd love to go to Maastricht, visit the city and of course, see Andre's show there.
Thanks again for your words and "love & hugs" to you too.
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Hi again Patricia,yes you are right about Eva Peron, I'd really not known anything about her at all til I first bought a album of the Evita musical. And I realize most movies etc. romanticize a lot, but I became curious about this lady & read all I could about her.
About Andre's agenda & the dates of concerts, of course his are the official dates, but sometimes by the time they appear on his site, the "best" tickets are already sold,so to get ahead of the game someone needs to contact all the PBS stations or past venues, where he's appeared before, it's a lot of work, but this year it was made easier because Denon records released his possible concert schedule. We have a list of all the stations to contact, I only found a few numbers & someone else calls or e-mails the different venues or stations to verify. There are probably negotiations going on, even now, so some have not yet been verified. As for Maastricht, Jeanine Ann knows more about that than I. In fact, I'm only just learning a lot about how everything works.
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Thank you, Shirley.
It's true all the "tickets affair" you explain in your message. It was happened to me: when I decided to buy the first ones after checking the official website, the cities and the dates, the best places are already taken.
And they published the agenda the same day I was trying to find the tickets and didn't understand how was possible that the best places were already sold! I´m beginning to learn more about this now.
If you or Jeanine Ann need some help to email to the stations to verify the possible concerts schedule, let me know. I'd be more than glad to help if you need people for doing this.
Thanks again and more love and hugs for you!
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Well Sally & Jeanine Ann have done a lot of contacting, with a little help from some others. As soon as Sally gets her computer back she will probably be able to let you know more, should be soon now. Do you know there are about 354 PBS stations just in the US? Of course not all apply, but they may at some point in the future. Just never know where Andre will pop up!
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My God! I didn't have idea about the 354 PBS stations just in the US ...
I'm really learning a lot of things here and I'm glad because I like to know about everything ... Anyway, if you need anything, here I am, more than happy to help.
Love,
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Hi Patricia, actually you can learn a lot just by surfing the internet. Try sometime just searching for PBS and you'll learn a lot.The information is available to anyone.
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I forgot to say that the article "King of the Castle" is really interesting. Like taking a look inside Andre's life without the stage in between.
It made me laugh the comment about the way he drives the car when the author says "the studio is a 10 minute car journey from the castle, but only 4 if he is driving". I don't know him but it seems to be typical of his personality. On some other site I read he likes speed in everything: working, going to somewhere, etc. Things must be quick. He just can't wait!
And about the curiosity I said I felt about Marjorie because I never saw a picture of her before, I found 2: an old one, when she was very young and the other one from last year, taken during a concert.
It's really hard not to find something on the Internet nowadays and she did a good job trying to stay in the shadows.
I respect that and her privacy.
But, you know, such amount of comments about her made me curious. It's understandable, I think.
Her looks made me think about this: she was and is the "brain" behind everything and she seems to be a very very smart and creative woman, who decided to put her own talent at the service of developing Andre's career.
And, oh God, she did it!
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TICKETS FOR AIR CANADA CENTRE:
Anyone interested in tickets for Air Canada Centre for April 17, 2009, please call 1-800 678-1873 WNED PBS.
I just now heard from them. The concert page has been update with this information. Thanks
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Hi Patricia, I agree with you. Marjorie did put her life and her career into helping André and that is why she is so special and sweet. I think I said I would send you a photo and I don't remember if I did that. If not I am sorry. I have been so busy with this new computer and trying to get everything else done that I could have forgotten. I will do that now. Hugs and love
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Hi again Jeanine Ann,
Take it easy. I've just receive the photos and I thank you very much for that.
I sent you an email too.
By the way, any news about Andre concerts in Europe next year?
I was trying to put together little pieces of information taken from here and there, and I know he'll make a tour until March visiting a lot of cities in Germany and some in Switzerland and Austria. That's easy because there's an official schedule on his website.
After that I think he goes to the US and Canada (April & May), and if I'm not wrong, they'll come back and perform in Maastricht on July, 10, 11 & 12. Maybe they'll add some other concerts on June.
And I guess they're still negotiating and arranging what they will do after Summer ...
If someone knows anything else about next year maybe we can make a list of his 2009 concerts ... at least until now.
Hugs and Love
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Hi Patricia, no new concerts to report but take a look at our concert page for the latest update information. Go to www.andrerieu.com and take a look at his international schedule. We really need to put that on the web site also. Talk to you later. Love and hugs
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VOTE FOR ANDRE
Sorry if this is already in here, somewhere, but just in case check this out, please:
http://www.persoonvanhetjaar.nl/
Although I honestly have no idea if the voting is still going on due to the fact that I can't read/speak Dutch, but I'm gonna guess that "Stem!" is vote... So go "Stem!"
Let's put Andre in his rightful spot!
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Thank you Patricia. Yes we do know about this vote for "person of the year". Andre won this title in 2007 but this year he is behind. Yes Stem is Vote.
Now speaking of voting, here is the vote for your songs for André's Greatest DVD Hits in 2009.
These are your songs and mine so lets hope he picks some of them. These songs were sent to Denon Records today. I told the gentleman I wrote to that I only put Meditation on because there were so many requests for the song even though it was not on a Denon Classics DVD. Who knows, maybe they will use it!
Serenata and Meditation (most popular) (Serenata from The Homecoming)
My Heart Will Go On - Live In Dublin
Adagio (from Romantic Moments)
Song of the Volga (Live In Dublin)
Nuns Chorus (Live In New York)
My Way (Live In New York)
Music Of The Night (Live In New York)
Amazing Grace (Live In New York)
Song To The Moon (Romantic Moments)
Ode To Maastricht (The Homecoming)
Heia In Den Bergen (La Vie Est Belle)
Eine Kleine Nachmusik (Live In Vienna)
Red Rose Cafe (Live In Dublin)
Spartacus (Dreaming)
Kumm Zigany (New Years In Vienna)
Concierto de Aranjuez (The Homecoming)
O Mio Bambino Caro (Tuscany)
A Child's World (The Flying Dutchman)
Hor ich Zimbaklange (Live In Dublin)
Evening Prayer (In Wonderland)
Lippen Schweigen (Live In Vienna)
Vienna City Of My Dreams (Live In Vienna)
You Are My Heart's Delight (La vie Est Belle)
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The list is wonderful, Jeanine Ann.
All beautiful pieces of music. I hope they use it!
And the 100 Greatest DVD Moments ...Ahh!
I'll go to France in a few days and I'll try to find out the DVD set on Fnac or some music store like that. Of course, I decided to buy it. I'd like to know if the DVDs have subtitles in English and/or Spanish.
And I pre-ordered the Live in Vienna DVD from Amazon too. I can't wait to see that concert.
Oh, what a glorious moments of beautiful music and images are waiting for us! How we'll enjoy all these material! I'm so glad!
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