ANDRE RIEU at the Nationwide Arena
With an assist from several singers, Andre Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra put on an entertaining concert last night in Nationwide Arena.
One typically doesn't hear classical music in a sports arena, but then Rieu isn't your typical conductor-violinist. He's also a shameless showman, and a schmaltzy spokesman. Let's put it this way: At one point during the show, Rieu told a lady dressed in red in the front row that bulls react to red. The orchestra played bullfighting music as two people in a bull costume chased the lady (who it seems was part of Rieu's organization) down the aisle.
Is it any wonder then that the modern-day "Waltz King" would say his heart beats in three-quarters time? But seriously, the Dutch-born Rieu, 59, said he's been making music with this orchestra for 30 years. He started with five musicians and now has more than 50.
The concert began to the strains of 76 Trombones, as the orchestra, led by Rieu, walked on the floor of the arena to the stage. Many of the nearly 2,800 people in attendance stood and clapped as the orchestra took their places, the men in tuxedos, the women in colorful gowns. Then the orchestra launched into the Carmen Overture.
Rieu's arrangements stress the melody, giving everyone from the harpist to the female chorus something to do on nearly every tune. These highly competent musicians are often smiling, and they all act to some extent, with all the women starting the second half of the show wearing Dutch costumes and dancing in wooden shoes. When the women left the stage to change into their gowns, the men acted rowdy, to the point of drinking.
Some fans of symphonic music may not like this approach, but it's proved to be a popular formula for Public Broadcasting System audiences.
Rieu is a charismatic leader, given to uttering platitudes such as: "Music is the most beautiful thing we have in life." Or, "Without love, there would be no music." He asked audience members where they were from. One man said Ashland, and Rieu thought he meant Iceland at first. Ashland then became a running joke.
Yet what made the concert noteworthy were the songs, including the Ode to Joy and selections from My Fair Lady. Mirusia Louwerse, a lyric soprano from Australia, was exceptional on Time to Say Goodbye.
A deadline kept me from hearing the encores, but the orchestra played Lehar's Gold and Silver and Strauss' Blue Danube waltzes.
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Categories: Articles-Interviews, 1 CONCERTS
Tags: Andre Rieu Concerts
yes, music is a nice thing in life, but not the best in my life, thanks heaven there are other things that make my world go round. Those jokes about where people are from, happen in every arena, nothing new and not funny anymore, of course for some who have never seen him or heard his old jokes, it is funny. I am getting tired of it. I will not take any pictures anymore either because they look all the same.
I totally disagree about his question of where people are from. In Baltimore there were people on the front row from Brazil, second row were from Germany & others from many other countries, Andre said "I thought I was in the U.S." It was interesting to us to hear there were so many there from other countries. We were surprised there were so few actually from Baltimore, Which told me that we need to get the word out to the people from the U.S. about Andre & his websites. I love every picture no matter how many are the same & new viewers haven't seen
them. We loved Arthur Fiedler of the Boston Pops & John Williams who took over the Pops after Fiedler passed away & went to many of their concerts and they basically used the same mateial over & over as that is what the public wants to hear & I think the same goes for Andre. I do think his back stage package is over priced in this economy but there were many who bought them. Sorry you are getting bored with him. We (my husband & I married 52 years) have many interest but I don't think we would ever get bored with his performances. Kind Regards
I like the question of where are people from. Each concert has people from different places, and sometimes things like the above...something funny.. does happen in exchange of the question.
In Dallas someone said they were from Cow Town. Andre did his best John Wayne walk & talk, come to the front of the stage and said, "Y'all from Cow Town" in his best texas twang. The house roared with laughter.
Yes, I enjoy this portion of the concert as well. It gets quite humorous when you personally know a some little town in your area that has a strange or unusual name...you really don't think too much about it until André gets ahold of the name...then it truly becomes humorous. Not only because of his pronunciations, but everytime he does mention the name of this "unusual" town, it's always at the perfect moment, where it always gets a laugh.
I believe that it makes the person who called out the name, feel good...don't you?
I think that humor is a personal experience to each individual. Just like music. Some like it, some don't, some likes certain kinds, others don't.
We should never lose our sense of humor or our ability to laugh and have a good time.
I've always wanted to mention the name of the city where I grew up..."Battleground"...I would love to see what André would make of it. The reason I don't, is because I no longer live there and haven't for many, many years. But, I still would love to hear André's humor on this one.
How could anyone get bored with such beautiful music and happiness?
I love Andre's humor! When he was talking about Wilkes-Barre he was so funny and I laughed so much as did the audience. He kept saying Wil kes bar. It took a few minutes until I knew what he meant. I don't know if you know how it is pronounced but Wilkes is a one syllable word and Barre is like Barry. So he asked a few people where they are from, one was a town I did not recognize but another said Mountain Top which is a small town nearby. Then Andre gave that quizzical look and said like the top of a mountain? But then he used that name during the concert since he did not like saying Wilkes-Barre. We have a small town in Lancaster County called "Intercourse" and I would love to have seen what Andre would do with that name : ) He did say that Pennsylvania is now his second home, yeah right! I am sure he says that to everyone but he sure does have a way of making you feel special. Big hug to all
Hi Inge, I could not live without music. No matter what kind of mood I am in music will bring me up if I am down and soothe me when I am tired. I love it so much that I try to make music with my violin but I have a long way to go because I started too late. I took over 275 photos in Wilkes-Barre in case you would like a few : ) I know a lot of them are the same but I love taking them because I never know when I will get that once in a lifetime shot of Andre doing something different : ) You never know! This time I got one of him just as he looked over at me and arched his eyebrow as if he was saying "go ahead take another one". Hugs to you
My Husband & I flew to Cleveland from Portland, Maine to see Andre. My Husband is a big fan of his, I just went along for the ride, but before the concert was over I was his biggest fan. I have never enjoyed a concert more and I am already making plans for next year.
Marguerite, you do not have to feel sorry for me, it is my own fault, when you have seen him as many times as I, it is bound to happen, everything, even the very best, if it is too much, it will get boring. But I should have known better, when something negative is said about celestial André, that gets the" VENTILATOR´S " attention, haaaaaaaaaa, sorry I like André but not for 3OOO.-- $ back stage passes.
HA, there you are again Inge.
I never heard of that piece Shirley. I would love to hear Andre play that also. There are so many wonderful songs that I would love to hear him play. I think his latest CD is a good start to playing more songs that we have not heard him play. We all have several copies of every waltz that he plays and that is ok but I am glad he brought this new CD out. I really love it. Hugs
Hi Inge, how could Andre ever get boring? I just saw my 10th concert and I could go every week. I would have to resort to eating cat food but I would do it. The M&G was such a wonderful thing but I agree that financially one cannot do that often. I think that may be a once in a lifetime thing. You must have seen him many times Inge and you are so lucky because I think you can see him in many different places, am I right? I must have missed something, what is with the Ventilator comments? Sometimes I don't get to read all the comments and I cannot figure out what it means. Thanks. I know I did thank you for the "gift" you sent to me but I would like to display this gift for all to see if you don't mind. You are so kind and I want all the fans to know about it. Big Hug
Shirley, you are my kind of girl, I know you understand me. I always have to laugh, too, about the ventilators, a machine is a machine that does not understand what we mean.
Jeanine Ann, I did not know that you got my gift. You can exhibit it, I never managed to get a good picture of the dolls.
I am sorry Inge that you did not get my email. I just resent it to you. It was sent on the 12th. I got a photo but I don't know how good it is. Hugs
Jeanine Ann, the VENTILATORS are the FANS a translation for Shirley in Portuguese and for Sally in French by Fish babble, got it?