Reuben's First Andre Rieu Concert - New Zealand
On the Saturday morning we left for Auckland at 11:30, arriving in Auckland early afternoon. Though my expectations were high, I don’t think I was still truly prepared for the amazing night my Dad and I would have in only just a few hours. But quickly the early evening came about, we were all dressed up in our fancy clothes and at quarter past six we were off to dinner. Before we knew it, after a lovely dinner, (which seemed to fly by quite fast) we were off in the car, Mum in the driver’s seat and Dad and I passenger-ing. We were off! Heading for the arena. André here we come!
Now you see, I hadn’t planned on coming on the Saturday night; however a family member who was planning on attending could suddenly no longer make it. So at such short notice, and after doing a bit of last minute phoning, I was put forward to go. So I was lucky enough to go both on Saturday and Sunday (yay!).
We arrived at the arena at 7:30PM, precisely half an hour before the show was due to start (we were a bit late in leaving dinner). We found our seats, and met Kathy with her Mum, then we all awaited for that all too familiar piece to begin. ‘Seventy Six Trombones’ da da da da, da, da, da da da da daaaaa and so on it went! They came down the aisles and everyone was clapping and taking their photos. Ah, very exciting!
We were treated to the tenors performing to their absolute best, and Carmen, Mirusia, and another Soprano Kalki who also sings in the Choir, performed to their absolute finest, both trios wowing the audience to standing ovations. I saved myself from reading the Australian concert reports as I knew this concert was the same one that was in Sydney(?), to keep everything a surprise. So when André started playing ‘Ben’, my Dad and I wondered in our seats whether Carmen would come out and perform ‘The Earth Song’ (which I am in love with after watching LIM3). Then André announced it, Carmen came out and gave a spectacular performance. Also, the children standing behind her were from Auckland Grammar School, so that was great to see some local input. In particular to the New Zealand concerts though, Mirusia performed Pokarekare Ana, which was well received with a full standing ovation, she sang it absolutely beautifully. She performed it just after her astounding yet effortless performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Memory’ from Cats.
New Zealand proved itself worthy dancing wise. During André’s performance of the Blue Danube, there were people up and dancing with each other all over the floor. It was absolutely great to see, and watch André tease the people dancing by pausing during the piece. Near the ‘end’ of the concert after André announced that this would be his final piece, the crowd shouted ‘more!’ and André gave us what we asked for! He gave a lot of encores in fact, I’m going to say seven maybe (someone might be able to correct me on that one), but there were a lot anyway, so it was really exciting. With the balloons coming down people (including me and Kathy) were up out of their seats and dancing in the mosh pit amongst the balloons.
Sunday in comparison was roughly the same with a few things different in André’s dialogue, we also met KiwiBarbara for the first time too, and other people through the website. So, if I have not already said, the concerts were absolutely FANTASTIC. I hope everyone goes to see at least one André concert, it is truly an unforgettable experience.
Cheers,
Reuben
Congratulations Reubens to perform their dream of attending a concert of André Rieu in your country! In September 2010, I accomplish my dream too, because he will come to Brazil!! Kisses!!!!
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Thank you Reuben for an exciting and happy report about the concerts in Auckland!!
Such a nice positive report! I loved it.
When reading it I smiled because it's interesting reading your words about particular items, are the same that we all know and love and look forward to at all of our concerts.
It's an André Rieu concert...made to make an audience happy and wanting more...always.
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Hi Reuben
I've been really looking forward to hearing how the NZ concerts went, so was very happy to see your great report today.
I wish Mirusia had sung Pokarekare Ana in Newcastle too. I love that song.
I loved your photos too.
Andre must be happy with his NZ reception because I see he's going back to you next year too. Do you already have your tickets??
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Thanks for your comments everybody! It was so exciting!
Yes! - We've booked our tickets in for next year! We've got outstanding seats too! I'm looking forward to it! However I'll have to keep myself occupied by watching André DVDs in the meantime. I hope Miriam your dream will become a reality all too soon! It is phenomenal!
Wanting more indeed.
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