Lyndall Freeman's Andre Rieu Concert - Adelaide With Photos
I included a few photos of Rob and I dancing during the concert because not only is it a rare occurrence, but we have finally come full circle. We danced to "Danube"
at our wedding, at the Kursalon in Vienna on our honeymoon, André's
concerts in Toronto and Melbourne and now at long last, back home.
Prior to the concert beginning, there was a montage of André's life,
including his last 30 years on stage, on the screens at the front of
the Entertainment Centre. Black and white photos of his youth were
intermingled with coloured ones of his latter years. Pictures of him
with his first 'salon orchestra' of 5, took pride of place with those of
today's Johann Strauss Orchestra. It showed the young boy, who was to
become the King of Waltz; a lad at the keyboard of a piano who would
grow into the Master of the Strad.
The lights dimmed, cheering and clapping emanated from the back of the
stadium, "76 Trombones" began and the procession lead by the Great One,
made its way through the aisles and up onto the stage, orchestra players
taking up their instruments, until finally, Franco, beaming and waving
made his way up to the back of the orchestra pit to take up his bass
and our magical night began.
Unlike Monday night, when the audience was subdued and the first
standing ovation didn't happen until Mirusia's "Memory" in the 2nd half,
tonight's audience were much more animated, with the first standing 'O'
after "Torna a Surriento", the 5th item of the first half. Bizet,
Mascani and Rossini, took centre stage with Lehár, Lloyd Webber and of
course Strauss, just to mention a few. The Platin Tenors were warmly
greeted, with particular attention paid to our very own Tassy boy, Gary
Bennett, receiving a greeting deserving of a fellow Aussie. The boys
were in terrific voice and were given a reception worthy of any of any
of the most famous tenors of our time.
I think most of the audience were a little stunned at the extended
homage paid to Michael Jackson. We all agreed that his premature
passing was sad, but to dedicate 2 songs to him, so many months passed
his death, just didn't seem right, "Ben," most certainly should have
been put in the programme and Andre's rendition was lovely, but not the
"Earth song" sung by Carmen and the Australian Girls choir.The most
popular consensus was that it didn't suit Carmen's voice. As it is a
celebration of André's 30th Anniversary, I would have thought the most
obvious song at the concert should have been his signature tune "2nd
Waltz" After all it was the song that lifted André out of obscurity and
welded him into the man and entertainer he has become today.
Our 3 girls were also in fine voice- Mirusia, Carmen and Kalki (from the
choir), with Our Brissy Girl, getting a rousing reception, when she
beautifully sang "I Still Call Australia Home" The now expected,
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, oi oi, just about brought the house down.
A highlight for me was the beginning of the 2nd half, when the boys
came out without their female counterparts. On strode the Master,
followed by a clunking sound of clogs on wood. After a rendition of the
Clog song, the girls left the stage, to leave the men to cause havoc. As
the girls got changed, out came the bottles of grog, with them all
swilling the bottle or glass, joking, singing, dancing with Frank and
André arm and arm, swinging each other around the stage while Franco and
Cord took to front left, to cause a bit of mayhem, with Franco holding
out a banner with a - his? - phone no. emblazened. Problem was, he took
it down before I had the opportunity of getting it on film for future
contemplation and reference.
Sanity finally prevailed once the girls returned to stage, although
Manoe was happilly quoffing a glass or 2 all by herself. Notable
composers such as Puccini and Beethoven brought the concert back into
line and it was now slowly winding it's way to the end of the official
Repertoire, as Ludwig Van Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" - "Boys will be
Brothers" - brought the concert to the close and had the tears of many
flowing freely.
After the expected premature farewell, prior to the encoré beginning,
those heading for the mosh pit came forwards, myself included and the
usual fun and games began. The new friends I had made from W.A. and
myself, were arm in arm for the majority of the encoré, swinging,
swaying, singing, high kicking, laughing and crying, as was the case
with Naomi and I during "Amazing Grace". An Aussie medley with the usual
"Bananas in Pyjamas" to "Neighbours" and the National Anthem, helped us
ebb our way to the last song of the night..........."Waltzing Matilda".
We knew we were not heading home after "Adieu", but that it was farewell
after W.M. that we were dreading. With tears in eyes and heavy, but oh so happy hearts, we waved our last waves goodbyes, picked up our favourite balloons - my purple one goes with the purple ones of Toronto, Melbourne and Adelaide last year and a pink and yellow has started a new trend.
We waited with our friends until Mirusia came out from back to see us.
After 3 hugs hello, I finally got the opportunity of introducing Rob to
her (they have only corresponded in the past), introduced the W.A,.
girls to her as well, although she did remember Liz from Maastricht and
all too soon and a final hug goodbye, a see you next year and our Qld
Angel was gone.
Teary farewells to my new friends as they went one way to the meet
and greet and we the other way to our car and the Adelaide André Rieu
concerts were over for another year. 2009 has gone, bring on Oct 19 2010.
Tickets for 2010 are bought - now comes the long agonising wait until
next year.
Love to all,
Lyndall and Robert Freeman
Lyndall, I love the top you are wearing. It is perfect! The girls sparkled onstage and you sparkled while dancing to Andre Rieu!
It looks like a great concert with a lot of great people
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Hooray for Robert & Lyndall! You looked lovely dancing together, good for you. Now "Lyn" is it true you might have a bit of a 'thing" for Franco?
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Lyndall I thoroughly enjoyed reading your report. I really could feel your excitement and felt I was there. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I am so happy that you had such a great time. Maybe next year will be your turn to meet Andre - I certainly hope so. Big Hugs to you : )
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As it's my 60th next Sept, perhaps we could take up a worldwide collection of any unwanted coins and perhpas we may end up with enough money to buy Rob and my entry fee of $au3,000 for the meet and greet.
Hey if we got enough money, we may even have enough for Maastricht.
How would that be?
Concerts in Maastricht, my birthday bash which I'm already organising - I'm heading out of the dull 50's with a bang and starting the glitzy 60's disgracefully and then finally a meet and greet in Oct, meeting The Italian Stallion, getting photos with him and the Maestro and my year would be complete.:0)
Throw in my step-son's wedding on 10/10. What a few month's that would be.
Oh dear, I've just awoken. It was only a dream.
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Hi Shirley
It's a known fact that I have a real thing for the Italian Stallion and yes, Rob is well aware. When he takes photos or videos, he always does close ups for me.
Thank you for all your lovely comments. They are much appreciated.
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I was wondering whether you have any photos of Andre or Carmen with the Australian Girls Choir? My daughter was one of the little girls performing on both nights. She was holding Andre's and Carmen's hand when they took their bow. I've been kicking myself for not bringing my camera to the concert.
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