André Rieu And His JSO Delight The Northeast


                                  
                                                                          Photo: Jeanine Ann

André Rieu and The Johann Strauss Orchestra delight the Northeast

     
Lisa Petruzzi
Hazleton Community Examiner

André Rieu, the Netherland-Born Violinist famous for his casual-classical style of music, delighted patrons on Friday night at the Wachovia Arena in Wilkes-Barre Pa. André began the night with members of his orchestra marching down the aisles playing “Seventy-Six Trombones”. His Dutch charm was evident as he spoke to the audience before each musical number. He did a general survey asking the audience where they were from. One man said he was from Mountaintop. André used the name of the tiny town throughout the evening in comparing his own homeland. The evening varied from serious classical music to playful banter. In one moment you were sitting at the Paris Opera listening to an excerpt from “Puccini" by the three tenors in another moment you were clapping along to a polka. Audience members waltzed in the aisles to “The Blue Danube” then a “bull” charged down the aisle and accosted a woman in a red dress, a sign of André’s sense of humor.


                                
                                                                       Photo:  Jeanine Ann

Members of his orchestra displayed their sense of humor as well. One of his long time members Manoe Konings stands above the rest, with her wonderful sense of humor and incredible musical talent. She can be seen during André’s concerts playing a drunk or wowing us with her incredible clarinet ability. One of the highlights for me was when Manoe played Amazing Grace on the Bagpipes with the orchestra. Another highlight was a surprise, and as usual bouncy, performance of “Marina” which can be heard on André’s “Live in Tuscany” CD or DVD. Another treat was the ever popular Ode to Joy “All Men Shall Be Brothers” a musical piece that was a joint effort between Beethoven, from his Symphony Number 9, and adorned with lyrics in 1785 by Frederich Schiller. There were twenty minutes of encores and the evening finally ended with Brahms “Lullaby”. It is a rarity that André comes our way. We hope to see him and his orchestra again soon.


Posted by Moderator Jeanine Ann at May 18, 2009
Categories: ANDRE RIEU, Articles-Interviews, 1 CONCERTS
Tags: CONCERTS
 
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  • May 18, 2009 Marlene Warren wrote:
    Thank you Lisa Petruzzi for a nice write up from the Wilkes-Barre concert! Thank you also Jeanine Ann, for the pictures! Very nice.
  • May 19, 2009 Olga wrote:
    Yesterday Andre Rieu with his famous orchestra and wonderful singers gave a performance at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. I saw them on TV and lisnted to their CDs but that cannot be compared to the real performance.
    It was excellent! It was awesome!
    Andre is 60 this year but his is as inspiring as he was always. A lot of people came to see him and his musicians and to listen to the classical masterpieces they performed. It was a wonderful combination of classical music and casual atmosphere created by Andre and orchestrants and singers.
    Public was inspired and applauded enthusiastically. The show lasted almost 3 hours.
    Tickets were expensive but it was worth paying that price.
    Big talents must be supported by public.
    Thank you Andre and everyone! Come again to Columbus!
    Olga
    1. May 19, 2009 Shirley wrote:
      You are right Olga, nothing like the REAL THING!
  • May 25, 2009 nimia aviles wrote:
    is sanne mestrom still with andre rieu and johan strauss orchestra?
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