Andre Rieu in New Hampshire
VIRGINIA BAKER & ANDRE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Some things were quite funny. There was some cute interaction with a lady from Contoocook, NH and Andre. Driving home today we actually went to Contoocook and it's a lovely town. So she put her town on the map. She was in the front row; she said "take me away," and Andre said, "after the concert." Then they got into a conversation about Contoocook. (home of the longest covered railroad bridge in the world -- and it's not very long at all)!
I was disappointed in the number of people in the audience. I think I am getting the sense that a lot of the concerts have not been particularly well attended. The whole back section was empty. It must be discouraging for the orchestra to see that. Wonder if it's because of the prices? It was not a particularly responsive audience. Of course some were extremely enthusiastic but Andre was working hard to encourage people to applaud. I don't think it was necessarily that people didn't like it, but that it was an older, more quiet crowd. They applauded politely.
The sound was not great and many many people noticed it. It was when Andre talked mostly. Perhaps because the hall was not well-filled? I don't know but it was difficult at first to hear him correctly. Orchestra noticed it also -- they kept looking into the audience and squinting, like what's going on. But, we got used to it. The people around us also had been to Manchester many times and this was the first time they had noticed anything with the sound.
There was a lot of talking amongst the orchestra members throughout the performance.
Linda was not there. Carla was great as usual. They did My Fair Lady which made me miss Suzan.
There was an abundance of balloons, knee high in the aisles. Dan and Alice Lycan were there.
To see more photos visit our Featured Fans page with Virginia's concert report.
Categories: Featured Fans, 1 CONCERTS
Tags: Andre Rieu Concerts
Yes i know what you mean about Suzan not being there .Besides she was a lot softer on the eyes than Andre is. Anyone know what she's doing lately I'm waiting for her to come out with her own CD.If anyone
hears any thing drop me a line
Regards
John
I know Andre puts on a great show .I think the lack of people is just that everyone is having such a hard time right now. Every one's feeling the pinch
Regards
John
Thanks Virginia. I've never heard of sound problems myself either.Had to be a glitch somewhere. Probably the economic times will have some part in lower attendance this time. I've never see the bull in the US before. Don't remember seeing the clog dancers either, at least here.
I am so anxious to see things like the bull and the clog dance. I have watched that so many times and would like to experience some of the things I thought I would never see. I remember after the clog dance Andre and the guys would go into the "party time" thing which I loved especially to see Andre hopping around the stage and having a good time. (this was on the "Gala Concert")
Hugs
Boy, that venue looks really not filled, even worse than Montréal, there were only in the middle of the ninth row a hole lot missing. I think the enormous price hist from PBS was the reason and of course some people have fallen on hard times. about 3 days before our show here in Montréal, I got a call from PBS, the wanted to know why I have not pledged yet this year. I asked the lady who raised the prices this year, André or PBS???? She said: PBS did. So I told her, there you have my answer, she got nasty and said: I am talking about membership not André Rieu, I told her for me the same thing and I hang up. They get no more pledge from me, if they keep up those prices, but I think they must have learned their lesson, because they will feel the void. I am glad it was not André who came up with those prices.
Yes, there are hard times now, some people just cannot afford to buy tickets, not only for André but for other concerts as well. It's sad to think that because of high prices the musicians and performers cannot enjoy their full audiences.
I know it's not the music, nor the orchestra and certainly not André, as the reason these venues are not filling up. I wish that I would wave a magic wand and everyone could go who truly wishes to.
I feel there is one way to make up the lack of people attending, and that is to be as happy and supportive as possible for them. Getting "involved" with the music and being excited for the opportunity to just be there and enjoying André and the JSO as much as we possibly can is what we ALL can do.
Being happy and involved in the concert in every way, makes for happy hearts! Music is what the world needs, for health and happiness. André is the one who can and does bring this to us all.
It will be such fun to see the Bull. I have only seen that on DVD. And Yes the Clog Dance. Yes should all wear clogs and dance with them!!
I am so anxious to see that too Sally. I have seen that bull so often and I guess I will see it this time. I know what happens after the clog dance - it's Party Time!!! That is all I will say for now. You never know what will change and what will happen. I am so nervous and excited. Nan Cole from Florida will be there with us and so will Jolanta Szulc from Newark area. Nan is the lady who was sitting back further last year in Tampa and went back to take a photo of Andre when they were standing and ready to come down the aisle. Johann stopped her and she said "I didn't know" then Andre said "let her get her picture" and she took it. That was so nice of him. There should be lots of photos taken tomorrow. : ) Hugs
Have a wonderful time on Monday Jeanine Ann. Say 'hello' to my friend Jolanta for me. I wish you have loads of people at your Concert. For being my 1st Concert, I was disappointed for Andre &
the JSO for such a meager turn out, BUT, I was so super charged I carried myself as if the place was over flowing. I had my blue/white banner, we practically stood and clapped for the entire Concert, as well as the wonderful fans all around us. WE made a great showing for Andre. I wish they work out the kinks in the "sound system"
you could hardly hear the Maestro; but thanks to my Bell&Howell device, I was able to pick up his wonderful voice. You girls have a spectular time!!!!!!
I am already planning my next Concert, and it will not be in Syracuse!
Thank you so much Judith. I plan on having a great time!! Reading is usually very full unless the economy keeps people away. They are a very enthusiastic crowd also but if they are not, we will see to it that they get enthusiastic!! I will say 'hello' to Jolanta for you. I never met her but I do know Nan from being in Florida last year. They are both very nice ladies. Will take lots of photos for you and everyone here. Glad to see you are planning another concert. What about Canada next year at the Rogers Centre? I think he will be there and that would be close for you. Think about it. Big Hugs to you
Have a great time tomorrow Jeanine Ann, I know you will! I'll be anxiously waiting to see the pictures and read your comments!
You have me curious as to how much PBS is charging as the admission price. Do they control all the bookings?
Australian prices last year were $AUS300 to $AUS99. At the time our exchange rate was not much below the US dollar to give you an idea. Meet and greet tickets were about $AUS500+ I think.
This October's tickets are about $20 cheaper - maybe because he's not bringing the big set.
Anyway, no matter what you pay, it's worth it.
Hi Jill, I would guess that Andre's organization sets the bookings with the venues, PBS gets so many tickets and Ticketmaster gets their allotment. The expensive M&G were handled by Ticketmaster although I heard that Andre is not doing the expensive M&G's. This was told to us by PBS so I am completely confused now. Your M&G ticket price of $500, was that in addition to your seat? I go through PBS because I have been doing that every year except for the Toronto concert in 2007, I went through Ticketmaster, but you can get tickets through PBS in Buffalo WNED.
All of the moderators call or write to all the PBS Stations and start getting information on the dates. Some of them call us if we have been going through them for several years, like Reading for me and Wilkes-Barre, Pa. I hadn't intended to go to Wilkes-Barre but when I inquired very early about when tickets would go on sale the lady said "I have two front row seats reserved for you if you want them". Well I could not say no. : ) so I am going there this year. I was never there before so I don't know what it is like. It is upstate from us about 2 hours away. The only thing that may cut down on the attendance in Reading is the fact that they always got 5 buses from Wilkes-Barre to come to the Reading concert but it is usually a sellout in there. I will find out tomorrow night!
Our ticket price was $300.00 for each ticket and that was through PBS. So I guess your tickets are about the same. Take care Jill and big hugs to you.
Yes Jeanine Ann the M&G included the concert ticket and a cocktail party.
I don't know anyone that went to one, but I'm sure it would have been very enjoyable - to say the least.
I think different outlets also charged different prices here. I saw on Andre's website at the time that his organisation had no control over what was being charged.
Have a wonderful time tomorrow night. I'm going away for the rest of the week to visit my son and his family so will have to try and work out his computer to see what you have to tell us.
Sometimes we get too busy for our own good. I keep wanting to Thank You Virginia for your concert report!