Ed in Australia Andre Rieu Fans
I am back in the USA after two weeks Down Under and have attached some photos from Sydney when I attended the Andre Rieu Concert at Olympic Park. From Sydney Harbor, it's about 8 kilometers to Olympic Park and the ANZ Stadium which has an open top. This was noted on my pre-concert recon and fortunately, it did not rain on (11/27) this first Sydney concert when I attended.
The Sydney Times said that 90,000 people were expected at the Sydney concerts but I have not seen actual attendance numbers. From Sydney Harbor, it was a pleasant trip up the Paramatta River by RiverCat (catamaran boat) which appropriately went right past the Sydney Opera House (see photo). As you (Webmaster Sally) suggested, I arrived very early to check out the venue and did see some cast members still in street clothes. The gold carriage and horses were kept a block from the stadium at the former Olympic stables.
Before the concert, I purchased a concert program to review the anticipated repertoire which did not list any Australian songs but later found they were nice surprises (encore) for the audience (Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!). The "On Tour" program also had a lot of great photos including some from past concerts (ex. photos of Suzan's Over the Rainbow and Carla's Die Fledermaus). Glad I have the program since night-flash-photography has limitations but as I said, there are a few attached.
The concert started exactly on time with the JSO marching into stadium to the tune of 76 Trombones. To the audience's surprise, Andre & JSO came from the right of center aisle and when I turned, I found Linda Custers with Viola standing next to us (see photo).
Suzan Erens looks much lighter and her hair shorter (photo with Bela). Even in the immense stadium, the sound was terrific. Late into the second set, Andre introduced "Empress Sissi" arriving in her gold carriage which was visible on the large screens. But it wasn't until she started to sing ‘I Belong to Me’ that I recognized her: Suzan Erens. Then, the "surprise" encore numbers had the Aussies on their feet: Advance Australia Fair, Tie Me Kangaroo, Waltzing Matilda, etc.
As always, enjoy the Music! Cheers, Ed
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Featured Fans page on www.AndreRieuFans.com
Thanks for sharing this with us Ed. I wish I could have been in Australia to see the concert. I like the harbor tours as well.
Also meant to ask you Ed...did you pilot a plane there from Texas, or like the rest of us go as a passenger? (not sure, are you a pilot?...your icon makes me ask)
Yes Sally, I am a pilot but this was part of a three-week trip and I went to Australia as a passenger this time. The icon that you saw is a completely restored (in Texas) P-38 Lockheed Lightning that will soon go to special museum at the Mozart Airport in Salzburg, Austria. Cheers !
Thank you Ed! The pictures were great and your story was too! I know it was a fun time in Australia, wished I could have been there, but when people share their experiences, then it's the next best thing!
When Andre came to Australia
Andre Rieu to Australia came
With his JSO and his flowing mane
He raised the Strad to his shoulder high
And with rosined bow brought tears to the eye.
As this Dutchman crossed our wide brown land
From east to west with his magic band
The fans poured in to his concert nights
And had a fantastic time under mystical lights.
We gazed in awe at the amazing sight
Of a castle grand bathed in wondrous light
Fountains playing and ballet dancing
And a carriage with white horses prancing.
Ice skaters gliding across the floor
In perfect time to the musical score.
We clapped our hands in sheer delight
And cheered and cheered with all our might.
Oh, what joyfulness this man does bring
Making music is such a wonderful thing.
For just a few hours to be transported away
To a magical world where an angel played.
The excitement rose as he played each song
Radetzky March & Bolero are never too long
Some waltzed to The Danube in a bluish light
While others just sat and absorbed the night.
A standing ovation after every song
We rose as one to applaud loud and long
To think one man’s dream could bring so much joy
To every little girl and boy.
(For as Andre says, music keeps you young!)
Denise, a thousand gold stars to you.This is quite beautiful, a poem from your heart, you have captured the essence of this concert & I thank you for sharing with us.
That is BEAUTIFUL
Beautiful poem Denise. I love it. Thank you and hugs to you.
Sally, I think this poem needs immortilising somewhere on the site so it does not slip into oblivion. !!!
Thanks to you all for your comments. I am glad you enjoyed my poem.
Very nice Denise! This is fantastic.
What a clever girl you are Denise - that is brilliant.!!
Excellent report Ed, love the pictures too. I'm wishing I was there, but I can watch my dvd & pretend. This will have to be one of my top of the list concerts to watch.Wish we could have seen the Sydney one too. I'm just glad that Andre could be there in your beautiful country & is now coming back.You all waited so long and I'm assuming the wait was well worth it.