AS soprano Mirusia Louwerse floated over Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night, the capacity audidence at Andre Rieu's first Brisbane concert rose to give her a standing ovation.

REDLANDS' Mirusia Louwerse
performing with Andre Rieu at Suncorp Stadium.
Photo: Steven Hight

Wearing angel wings, Mirusia floated above the orchestra as her entrée to the show, before putting on a sparkling red dress to shine with her popular version of Wishing You Were Here Again from Phantom of the Opera.

First standing was her father Jack Louwerse of Birkdale who joined the 30,000 audience as one of her biggest fans.

"I felt very emotional to see her perform in her home town. Mirusia can sing all over the world, but singing in Brisbane is very special to her. You could see it in her face - so much love. It touched your heart," her mother Henriette said.

As part of Mirusia's introduction, Andre talked of receiving dozens of emails from singers and musicians wanting to be part of his ensemble, but being completely captivated when a similar request came to hear Mirusia sing. Mirusia joined 250 artists on stage, amongst them debutant dancers, ice skaters and members of the Vienna State Opera and Imperial Ballet. She was paired with one other Australian performer - tenor Gary Bennett from Toowoomba.

The lavish and spectacular show was staged the length of the stadium in a reproduced castle, flanked by fountains and ice skating rinks. Features included the arrival of a horse drawn carriage and the Australian Pipe Band performing Scotland the Brave.

The program included plenty of Strauss which had the audience waltzing in the aisles, Bolero and White Horse Inn extracts. Mirusia performed Botany Bay igniting the audience with the oorali-addities. More Australian songs formed part of the encore which lasted almost as long as the second half.

Andre returns to Australia in October next year with tickets on sale from December 8.

Mirusia will perform in the Lord Mayor's Carols in the City at the River Stage at 7.30pm tomorrow, December 6. This is a free event with artists including Guy Sebastian, Julie Anthony, James Morrison and Colin Buchanan.

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LINDA MULLER
4/12/2008