FEBRUARY 2010 GUESTBOOK - ANDRE RIEU FANS
WELCOME TO THE FEBRUARY 2010 GUESTBOOK
ANDRE RIEU FANS AND FRIENDS
UNITING FANS AROUND THE WORLD
Posted by Moderator Jeanine Ann at Monday, February 01, 2010 4:10 AM 
Categories: Guestbook
Tags: Andre Rieu Guestbook
Categories: Guestbook
Tags: Andre Rieu Guestbook
Hey guys!
Happy February! Only 5 more months until andre come to the USA!! WHaaa WHOOOOO! I cant wait to see him in boston...anyone else going to that show?
Thanks!
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
I'm jealous, never mind as you already know you'll have the time of your life. You'll have to let us know all about it.
cheRIEU
JILL AUSTRALIA
Happy Valentine's day, happy every day.
Love you Andre.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Everyone involved in choir debate: Wasn't that more fun than talking about
winter blues?
Quiz: DVD The Homecoming bonus track -
My Father's Favorite - shows four girls
kissing Andre. Who were they? [Linda,
Nicolle,Lin and Kalki?]
If you haven't checked Andre's boutique
lately, I LOST MY HEART IN HEIDELBERG
and LIVE IN MAASTRICHT III are now
available in NTSC format for $34.71 USD
which includes shipping.
Hi Gary, thanks for the information. I did notice that finally the DVD's are available in NTSC format. I have had them for so long and I am so glad that now everyone can have them. I invested in an all-region player several years ago just because of that reason. Hugs
Photo Of The Day!
prachtig! (beautiful!)
Fabulous!! Just a thought to all loyal Andre followers. I hope you are all voting for Andre to be person of the year 2010. At present he is in 3rd place behind Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley Lets make him number one as we all know he is. Vote Vote Vote x
REMINDER!
Thank you Josephine. I think we have been a little remiss this year in voting for Andre, at least I know I have.
Here is the address to vote for Andre for Person Of The Year. It is in Dutch.
http://www.persoonvanhetjaar.nl/?sellang=de
Andre is number 3 at the moment. The word STEM is Dutch for VOTE. You must enter your email and then vote. You will receive an email and you must click the link in the email to register. This is a MUST in order for your vote to count. I think the fans who have been on the blog for a long time will remember all this so for the newcomers - please vote every day. You may only vote once every day and it must be 24 hours since your last vote. Thanks much. Let's make Andre "Person Of The Year" (persoon van het jaar)
REMINDER Please everyone watch The Alan Titchmarsh show tomorrow 4th Feb ITV1 5pm. When you will see the one and only, the fantastic, Andre and JSO x
Wow, what a fantastic photo!!! Mmmmm
Update on concert page. . .
The concert in Wilkes-Barre, Pa is now being held in the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza - formerly known as Wachovia Center. (Same building, different name)
Thanks
Just got my first gold Award in the UK. Catch me on Alan Tischmarsh on Thursday on IT V
Congratulations André!! You deserve it so much!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JEANNIE ANN AND EVERYONE WHO HAS A BIRTHDAY IN FEBUARY. THE BEST TO ALL. ROSES ARE MY FAVOURITE FLOWER. LOVE TO ALL. ELAINE BURCH.
Thank you so much Elaine for your nice wishes. I put some roses on here just for you. Big hugs
Happy February everyone.
What happened to January? I feel like I blinked and missed it.
I'm a little groundhog, it's my day.
Wake and stretch, go out and play.
Down in my burrow, down so deep,
Time to wake, from my long winter's sleep. yep, I saw my shadow.
We just had a phone call from our son, we are going to be grand parents for the first time and guess what? TWINS, but only in September. Better late than never!
Congratulations Inge, that is wonderful news!! I am very happy for you and for your son and his wife. You are right, better late than never! Hugs
I am so happy for you Inge, and your son & his wife too. Now you will have 2 real life "mini's".
Congratulations. As first time grandparents last November, I know the excitement you are experiencing. It is the most wonderful feeling when you hold your grandchild, or in your case, grandchildren, in your arms for the first time. It's a memory you'll never forget.
Hope everything goes well for you all
Lyndall
Adelaide Sth Australia
Hi Everyone just testing
jill
Just testing
Jill
Photo Of The Day!
A "photo a day" keeps the DR away.
We can't help but be happy when we are treated with these wonderful pictures of André each and every day!
Yeah and what a photo.
Hi All Andre friends,
Greetings from Te Awamutu, New Zealand.
I am a relative newbie to the world of Andre, but this year will attend three concerts, Melbourne (Australia), A Day With Andre in Auckland (NZ) and Christchurch (NZ).I have made a lot of Andre friends through the various websites and am even meeting up with some in Melbourne and Christchurch.My next major goal is to attend Maastricht in 2011, as the start of my planned 60th birthday Grand tour of Europe , culminating in me being on Santorini (Greek Island) for the actual day in late August.
Like Inge, this will be a special year for me also,as, I will also become a Nana for the first time. My son Steven and Daughter in law Belinda, have undergone IVF and are now awaiting baby on May 3. Very exciting.
Hugs to all my Andre friends.
Kathy XXX
Welcome to the wonderful world of André Rieu Kathy! You say you are a relative newbie, but by the sound of it you will be very involved soon. It's a wonderful world with lots of friends and happy times. It's fun sharing all our experiences and seeing and hearing the latest of André and his musical world. So come back real often and share with us your experiences at the concerts and whatever else you wish to share. Sounds like you have a huge year ahead of you. Congratulations on your soon- to-be new addition to your family!!
Love and Hugs back to you!
Thank you Marlene for your kind words. Last year I attended the 2 Auckland concerts, and the year before that - the second Melbourne concert, and I have a collection of DVD's, but not all of them, so still something to aspire to.
I have not made an Andre friend yet who is not a thoroughly nice person, and I am so looking forward to meeting more of you in person as the years go by.
Hugs from me to you, Marlene. XXX
Congratulations to you also Kathy and welcome to the Andre family. Your granchild will be born on the birthday of my late Mother. If it grows up to be a person like my beloved Mum, he'll/she'll be a wonderful person.
I'd love to be planning a Grand tour of Europe for my 60th this year, but will have to do with a plain old party, with plenty of Andre friends to help me celebrate.
Lyndall
Adelaide Sth Australia
Lyndall, Thank you for your welcome and your kind words about the grandchild. I envy you your many Andre friends with whom you will celebrate your birthday this year - It is my dearest wish to see friendship groups for Andre in NZ, but it seems we can fill the venues, but no one wants to talk about Andre. Thank goodness for other websites.XXX
Hi Kathy
If I hadn't gotten up of my butt and started doing thing to promote AR in the country and overseas, there more than likely wouldn't have been any friendship groups in Aust.
After getting the ball rolling, particularly in Adelaide, running a number of functions, I have put the brakes on and now just run the friendship group, which is very fulfilling,
Jill wanted to start one in Geelong and asked for pointers which I was happy to give and I'm delighted to see the announcement on the website about the first meeting tomorrow, for which I wish her well.
It needs people like yourself, who'd like to see friendship groups in your country/state, to take the bull by the horns and consider starting one yourself. I'd be more than happy to give you pointers and I know you'd get a good amount of coverage on both this and Reuben's NZ site.
All it takes is one person to bite the bullet. Work out in you head what you'd like in a group, find a venue and send out feelers. We started out slow and are building nicely. Even if you only get 2 or 3 to start with, that's fine. You've suddenly made 2 AR friends. From there it grows.
Believe me. I didn't have a clue what I was doing or getting myself into when I made my first big decision at Easter time 2007. I did the, for me, the unthinkable and now, as they say, the rest is history.
Think about it. Jeanine will give you my email address if you are interested.
Warmest Regards
Lyndall
Lyndall,
Thank you for this. I live in a very small town in NZ, and work fulltime, so although I have the passion, I don't think I could devote the right amount of time to this, but the idea sits there and one day, when I can make more time I will make it happen. Thank you for writing.
Just watched Andre on Alan Titchmarsh Show. As usual FABULOUS and those lucky people in the audience got to see him for free. I am sooooo envious x
Hi Josephine,
I was just wondering if I can watch the Alan Titchmarsh Show on the net. As you say how lucky those people in the audience were to see him live free of charge.
cheRIEU
JILL GEELONG AUSTRALIA
Andre On Alan Titchmarsh This link can only be viewed in GB. Thanks Josephine
Hi Jill This is the itvi player link to the Alan Titchmarsh Show with Andre. Hope you enjoy. Wish he had been on longer I love him and his music. Hope he tours UK soon
Kind regards
Good News Fans. . .
Andre Rieu Fans is now on Facebook! Please check us out at:
Andre Rieu Fans On Facebook
KATHY PRATER, CONGRATS TO BECOME A FUTURE GRANDMA. YOU KNOW, MY DAUGHTER SABINE IS MARRIED FOR 18 YEARS, BOTH ARE TEACHERS AND DO NOT WANT CHILDREN. OUR YOUNGEST DAUGHTER JUTTA IS MARRIED 1 1/2 YEARS NOW, PERHAPS THERE IS SOME HOPE????? BUT OUR SON YVES WHO WILL BE MARRIED ONLY A YEAR WHEN THE TWINS COME, MADE AN EFFORT RIGHT AWAY, BUT HE IS 45 AND IT IS ABOUT TIME, HAAAAAAAAAA!
Dear Inge,
I only have the one child, so was starting to despair after 5 years of nothing happening, and Steven getting older all the time, however, he is not yet 40, and Belinda a couple of years younger.All is going well, so far. Maybe the love of Andre will skip a generation and I can convince my grandchild to love Andre's music.XXX
Attention all fans...
For those going to Air Canada Centre in Toronto the pre-sale offer for concert tickets:
Ticketmaster Pre-Sale Code
Hi Janine,I've just caught up with the December Guestbook & found all the
u-tube videos.
THANK YOU for putting them on the site.
I can see Andre & hear Andre while I watch Pakistan & Australia playing 20/20 cricket without sound. We have finally had some rain, so it's cooler at last.
HI SHIRLEY,
TO A VERY, VERY SPECIAL LADY!!! I SEND YOU MY VERY BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON THE 5th. MAY ALL YOUR BIRTHDAY WISHES AND DREAMS COME TRUE.
BIRTHDAY HUGS AND KISSES
JILL AUSTRALIA
Thank you Jill, and to all who have sent me birthday greetings.
Gary,was the Homecoming DVD released under another title? I can recall being excited when I saw what I thought was a new release, but soon realised I already had it under another title. This was quite some time ago, and I can`t remember what they were.
I'm not Gary, but I believe the "other" title was SONGS FROM MY HEART.
Yes, I have it as Songs From My Heart, and it's still my favoutite of all Andre's DVDs. Maybe because it's the first one I saw. What a 'wow' moment that was.
My 2006 DVD has The Homecoming as main
title plus small title Songs from my
Heart. Noticed the newer DVD Wedding at
the Opera also has title Dancing through
the Skies on it. Causes a bit of confusion and sometimes double ordering
DVD's unless you can check the tracks
somehow.
WHEN IS THE TOUR IN THE U K
Hi everyone,
Today marks the first anniversary of the Black Saturday Fires in Victoria Australia. 173 Victorians tragically lost their lives that day. Today (Feb 7) has been declared a national day of rememberance. Our flags will fly at half. mast and there will be a minutes silence at 12pm. We will pause to reflect on those who lost there lives and those families who lost their loved ones. To all of you who were affected you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.
BIG HUGS TO ALL WHO WERE AFFECTED
JILL GEELONG AUSTRALIA
Hi Jill, yes we remember. That was surely a terrible time. I still have the pictures branded into my mind & I don't even live there.
Jill, I have to tell you, I was reading the Herald Sunday news & they had a video & stories about "out of the ashes". It is very interesting how some things can come back but so sad that many never can. those firefighters were heroes in my book. I hope this never happens again!
Shirley, are you a Kiwi still living in NZ,because we could majorly do with some Kiwi's on Reuben's website NZFansofAndreRieu.com. Seems like we can fill the seats in NZ, but we can't get a fanbase working here.Would love a reply.
Kathy XXX
Hi Kathy, no, I'm not a Kiwi, actually I live in thr United States, but I do know Reuben's web site. He is such a nice young man & he has the talent to be a great jazz singer or crooner too. I haven't been to his site for awhile & only commented a couple of times when he first started but I was impressed with his site. I was looking forward to it really taking off.Also I just assumed it was for the NZ fans too. I like the name "Kiwi", how did that come about? All I know about a kiwi is a fruit I like to eat with strawberries.
Hi Shirley, sorry for the mistake. I met Reuben at last years Auckland concerts and he is an amazing young man. Met his Mum Dad, sister and gran, and they are a lovely family.He is an amazing singer and has done a great job with the NZfans website.
Kiwi the fruit was originally called Chinese Gooseberry, and I'm not sure when or why it changed, And Kiwis the people I think is because the Kiwi is our native bird and it's probably quicker to say than New Zealanders.XXX
Hi Kathy
I think Reuben is amazing for such a young person too.
I live in Australia and I think marketing Chinese Gooseberries as Kiwi Fruit here was a stroke of genius. No-one used to buy chinese gooseberries, they had a reputation for being sour and were 'just for Chinese people's taste', then the big marketing campaign began, in the 60's I think, and they became indispensible to our fruit platters and pavlovas. i have a penfriend from childhood days who owns a kiwi fruit farm at Te Puke.
The first time I tasted them was in 1964 while sitting in the beautiful restaurant looking through the huge glass windows at the Mt Cook Glacier.
Both the view and the colour and taste of the kiwi fruit left an indelible impression. I'd never seen inside a 'chinese gooseberry'.
Thanks for that Jill B, and thanks for saying where tou live - it's an amazing thing to be talking to people all around the world without really knowing where they actually are - not that it matters. What a lovely memory of Chinese gooseberries for you, and what a beautiful part of our country. I was born in Christchurch in the South Island and now live in a small town in the North island, and I am very happy here, but wish there were more people who liked Andre in NZ, and wanted to share their thoughts.XXX
Hi everyone,
Just testing
Regards Jill
Hi Inge,
I was so pleased to hear your news about your upcoming grandparent hood. Congratulations to you and your family.
JILL GEELONG AUSTRALIA
Hi everyone,
Just testing again.
Sorry am experiencing problems.
Jill
Hi Shirley,
Watched one of my favorite Andre specials on tv last night New Years Eve Punch. I absolutely love it. Andre certainly seemed to be enjoying himself with the girls from 'Bond' hmmm!! Not too mention Franco and co chasing after them when they had finished their performance. How much can a fan girl take in the envy stakes!
HUGS
JILL GEELONG AUSTRALIA
hahahaha, Jill, you are such a tragic!Yes, I remember that one too. I think Bond is quite popular with the male species huh?
Hi Shirley,
Come on Shirley aren't we all Andre and JSO tragics! You know me by now I can never get enough of Andre and Franco. As for the gals from Bond do you think they need another member for their next performance with Andre? I could always take some lessons hahaha.
JILL GEELONG AUSTRALIA
Oh Jill, there is another one of us tragics who would like to audition too! Trouble is I am older than what they would want. : )
Well girls, you two can audition if ya want. Not me.Even if i wasn't too old I'd be like a lost ball in high weeds!
New Year's Punch is one of my favorites, too. Andre and everyone is in such a great mood and it is very fun to watch.
Can you identify all of the musicians, by their FIRST name, on this DVD?
Hi Marilyn,
I'm with you New Year's Eve Punch is my very favorite. It was fantastic to see them letting their hair down like that. Looks like they were having as much fun as we do watching them!!
Take Care
JILL GEELONG AUSTRALIA
Come on Jeanine Anne dust off your short leather skirt complete with metal chains hanging of it. Grab your violin and your set. I'm sure if you did that Andre would just love to have you audition for him. Just remember if you need a manager well I'm always available.
JILL GEELONG AUSTRALIA
Come on Shirley I could just see you, me and Jeanine Anne up on stage jamming with the man himself. How great would that be it could be our 15 minutes of fame.
JILL GEELONG AUSTRALIA
Jill m'love, my get up & go got up & left a long time ago! Not even in my wildest dreams!
Haaaaaaaaa, Shirley, I am with you, on a stage I would be totally useless, would die of stage fright, but you guys can always dream of being a member!
By the way , the only free concert of André I ever saw, and that twice, the special in Cortona, the tickets were free, a gift from André and it was my nicest concert ever.
Inge, Cortona is a beautiful concert, but how did you get free tickets. Another friend has spoken of being invited to Cortona by Andre and being very close to him - unlike today's concerts and the security. Would love to know more.
Kathy XXX
Kathy, the Cortona concert in 2OO3 was the anniversary of his 25 year on stage and ZDF in Germany produced that program. André wrote on his web that everybody is invited and can get tickets for 2 for each concert. He had a main rehearsal and 2 concerts, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I got the tickets from André´s web and my daughter and I made holidays in the Tuscany. We did not attend the main rehearsal, but the two concerts. Fans were hanging around that town square and the hotel where André stayed all day. My daughter who is no André fan, booked us in a hotel 4 km outside and we visited Siena, Florence and other nice places around Cortona, so we were not there all the time, but we saw André coming out of the hotel once in the afternoon, when we checked out where we had to park that night for the concert. My daughter took my camera, because she knew I would never do that, she pointed to André and asked if she could take a picture from him, he noted and she took 2 , handed me the camera back and said:"here mother now you got your pictures, lets go to Siena," It was super nice in that little medieval town. The members of the JSO were everywhere and also Pierre and Phillip. We ate in one of the street Café´s outside and they constantly marched by. We never talked to anyone. We just enjoyed watching them.
YOU DID NOT CALL US, WE WOULD HAVE GONE ALONG!! MAYBE NEXT TIME! PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN ANY TIME SOON!
KATI
Kati, I think , too, that was one time only. I assume that ZDF paid for it, because he was unknown in Italy, most people came from other countries, the TV did not want to shoot in a super nice area without any audience. He went back the following year, but not the same success, it was not free.
Hi Inge, that was quick thinking by your daughter. I would have stood there with my mouth open, not thinking to get the camera and take a nice photo. That little town sounds so nice. I like when you can sit and just watch them walking around and just enjoy that. I don't like to bother anyone because I know they like their time off.
In one of your posts you said you saw Marjorie in the audience and I forget which concert. I just watched Trier, 2004 over the weekend but only thought of it at the end. Was that the DVD you were talking about? Thanks and hugs to you.
Hi Jeanine Ann,
Yes I am finally here,at long last. A friend in Perth has told me to try ang get the Trier concert from 2004, and she said it is Die Grosse Silvester Gala 2004 put out by ZDF - are we talking the same concert, and is it still available - I have been asking around, but to no avail, so far.
So glad I am finally able to participate on this website and must say I love the FB page as well.
Big hugs my friend,
Kathy XXX
Wow Inge,
What an experience many memories to treasure. Thanks for sharing them with us.
A concert in such a beautiful place and seeing JSO wander around at their leisure what more could one ask for. Well done to your daughter for remaining sane and cool headed enough to get the photos. It sounds like what my daughter would do. She would just want to get it done so she could move on to what she wanted to do.
JILL GEELONG AUSTRALIA
Oh Inge, I am such a super soppy person- I was reading your reply and had tears running down my cheeks.What a wonderful thing Andre did for his fans - that will probably never happen again - he is now too big. Oh, such wonderful memories for you. Where in the world do you live, my friend, my guess is somewhere in Europe??
Thank you so much for your detailed reply - are you visible on the DVD, I have found Mireille from France on the DVD.It would be nice to say I saw two Andre friends at Cortona.
Hugs from me to you,
Kathy XXX
Gary, always check the sound track first, almost on all DVDs are the same ones over and over again, some are all the same and only the title is different for different countries. At the beginning I fell for it, not anymore, that one from Vienna that is sold in England are all repetitions from other DVDs, nothing new. When he made the CD Walzertraum, that came out in 8 different versions, with a different title for the different countries and on some was one different song. I did not fall for it.
Inge: Absolutely have to check sound-
tracks. FYI my ancestors came from St.
Ours PQ - 1814 Swiss DeMeuron Regt.
soldier who mustered out in 1816. He
enlisted at Malta I believe and listed
Liege, Belgium as home [Maastricht is
close across the border]. That regt. was
for hire to British as mercenaries.
Guess some of that rubbed off since I
spent 20 yrs in USAF Personnel NCO,Intell officer & Minuteman II launch
officer. Have cousins around Montreal
but all are french speaking and only
dad was in contact until he passed to
greener pastures.
Jeanine Ann, I watched over the Xmas holidays the two DVDs from New years show in Hanover , I think in 2OO3 and the one from Vienna in 2OO2 or 2OO1, have to look again. I think I found Marjorie in the stands from Hanover. I mail you the picture, you can see for yourself it was her. I froze the frame and clicked it with my camera, my technique, haaaaaaaaaa!
I WILL LOOK AGAIN, I TRIED AND TRIED, DID NOT SEE HER!!?? KATI
Kathy, I am German, married to a Franco-Canadian and live in Montréal. Our 3 children live now in Germany, they all found good jobs there, one married to a Canadian, both teachers in an International school near Munich, the youngest married in 2OO8 a German and our Son married last year also a German girl, so they most likely stay all there. As our kids are living in Germany, Vic and I go visit and they come here to visit us.
Yes, Jutta and I are on the DVD from Cortona, but you would not find us. We sat in the 7th row and are filmed from behind. As I knew where we sat, I froze the frame and photographed it, haaaaaaaa! We are zoomed in right after the Triumph march from Aida, perhaps I will search for it again.
Dear Inge,Thank you for your lovely reply - I am so lucky my only child Steven and daughter in law Belinda live about one and a half hours drive south from my place,so I get to see them quite often, and hopefully more regularly once the baby is born. Re Cortona, at least when you watch it, you will know where you were sat. Thank you my friend.XXX
Cher André, chère et merveilleuse famille de JSO, un chaleureux bonjour de Roumanie! Je m’appelle Manuela et je suis professeur des universités à Bucarest.
Il y a 3-4 années j’ai suivi un reportage sur Mezzo et j’ai connu ainsi votre grandiose entreprise artistique. Puis, l’Internet et les boutiques de DVD ont fait le reste. Maintenant je pense que je suis une fane presque parfaite. Je possède 17 DVDs contenant vos concerts et je n’ai pas du tout l’intention de m’arrêter! Plus le temps passe, plus j’ai l’impression de faire partie (au moins avec le coeur) de votre fantastique famille artistique dont les succès me font grand plaisir.
Dès la première émission sur Mezzo j’ai entrevu l’ampleur de cette “usine itinérante”. Car il ne s’agit pas seulement de l’acte artistique proprement dit, mais du fait de parcourir le monde - artistes, techniciens, décors, etc., etc.- et cela est un véritable exploit dont la réussite est due au professionnalisme, discipline et un management hors du commun. Et avant tout, le talent et le charme d’André, l’intelligence et l’efficacité de son épouse et la passion et le dévouement de toute l’équipe.
J’ai une ancienne collègue de lycée et bonne amie, Anca, établie au NY, USA. Elle a participé déjà à un concert à NY et l’impression sur place a été indescriptible. Donc, nous avons décidé de visiter votre belle Maastricht cette année pour 5 jours et d’assister au concert du 16 juillet. Nous avons les billets et toutes les réservations. Je pense que moi et Anca nous avons une belle chance d’entrer dans le livre des records de JSO pour voler simultanément de NY et de Bucarest jusqu’à Maastricht juste pour un seul concert!
Hi Garry, I see now, too, that you have a French sure name. St. Ours is not far from us. The world is actual small and USA, Canada , Australia and New Zealand are all made of immigrants. It is sometimes very interesting to go back to our ancestors. I found out too, that my fathers great grandfather was an immigrant from Palestine, a Jew that converted to Christianity and married a Catholic girl from the Black Forrest. In my fathers ancestral pass he had to go back 3 generations to prove he was ARISH, if he would have gone back 4 generations he would have not been permitted to marry my mother,haaaaaa. So I have some Jewish blood. -- My husband´s family is pure French since 36O years when the first one immigrated from France he married a fille de Roi . I am the first intruder, haaaaaaaaaaa! Our kids have dual Citizenship: German and Canadian. I taught them my language and look were that got me, they all live in Germany now. But with the flying we get there fast, only have to worry about terrorist bombs.
Kathy, you are lucky your son and daughter-in law live near you. I will most likely not see my grandchildren very often, but my parents had to put up with it as well. I was only lucky to get free flights with the Airforce, so I could pack up my kids and fly home, any time I wanted until Vic retired in l985 then we had to pay and I went only once a year to see my mother,my father had passed away, he only knew my two oldest kids. But that is life, we move around the Globe and our kids do the same.
I have been getting a lot of snow pictures from my friends on the East coast & I really am amazed & glad I don't live there now. One scientist said that if all the snow on the East coast were melted, it would fill 12 million Olympic swimming pools. And that was before this last wave coming in.I've heard 55-65" in some places. That's too much snow for anybody, even if you love snow.
Yes Shirley I know! Just think how bad it is when you hate snow. : ) Hugs to all from snowy Pa.
Still snowing here. We are under a state of emergency so no roads, not even the interstates are open. They said Phila. would get the snow award with 23" and we are just about 60 to 70 miles Northwest of them so I would say we will get the same. Clyde has plowed the drive for the second time. We had about 12" this morning and it has been coming down ever since and it looks like another 6 or 7 on top of that as I eyeball it from the house. Oh to be in Florida! Hugs to all dear friends
I'm trying to picture this Jeanine Ann. How amazing it must be. How do you plow the drive? Is it a motorised tool or do you do it by hand?
Hi Jill, I will explain what a snow blower is. It is a gasoline powered machine which has an auger which picks up the snow and throws it through a chute and you can turn the chute to throw the snow in any direction. I will look for a photo and put it on for you. Hugs
Okay here is a photo I found from a small snow we had in December right before Christmas. It shows my husband using the snow blower. I know it is hard to see but you can get the idea Jill. Hugs
It all looks very beautiful....and cold. The snow blower looks like a very handy gadget!
Is that a Christmas decoration growing up the pole Jeanine Ann?
We are so hot and humid here today, I feel like I'd love to jump into your photo and cool off.
And here we are in Maine, where I am always getting teased by friends from other states with comments like, "how can you live there, it gets so much snow?" In the last two storms we have gotten 0 inches!!! Beautiful sunny sky, not a cloud in the in the sky. A little cold especially if it's windy, but cats still like to go out. When we had snow a few weeks ago we had huge mounds plowed up. My kitten, Hercules, would run up and slide down trying to catch the little balls of snow that he dislodged. Then he would run back and do it all over again. He and Joey chase each other through it. I love one big storm a year, I love it when it's coming down and blowing. But I don't like the mess afterward. Hope everyone affected still has power.
Twice in my career I was stationed in the far north - Goose Air Base, Labrador
1965 and final assignment Eielson AFB
Alaska [30 below & dark most of winter
then hordes of mosquitoes in summer].
Actually lived near Santa village with
mail address of North Pole, AK. Retired
from there in 1987. Loved my many asgmts
in Montana, Idaho and Colorado but you
can have the northern extremity of the
Rocky Mountains.
Boy, now you know what we have to put up with every winter, but this year so far we have been lucky, we dodged the 2nd major Blizzard, it ended all up further south in the US or moved on to our Maritime provinces, we had only one big Blizzard in December. I hope that will be it, but I doubt it, we can still get it in March. I wish nothing more than spring is coming soon, when the sun shines, I can feel it in the air. I can surly feel for you all berried under the snow. Stay home and don´t drive!!!
Photo Of The Day - thanks to Hanne Jager (concert in Germany)
PRECIOUS!
THE GEELONG ANDRE RIEU FRIENDSHIP GROUP
AT LAST WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR VERY FIRST MEETING!!!
COME AND JOIN US! ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE IS MOST WELCOME YOUNG, OLD, MALE OR FEMALE
THE VENUE: 'THE DECK'
HIGHTON SHOPPING VILLAGE
CNR BELVUE AVE & TAYLOR CRT
(UPSTAIRS)
ENTRANCE VIA TAYLOR CRT
DATE: SATURDAY MARCH 13th
TIME: 11.30am ONWARDS
LUNCH OR COFFEE & SNACKS ARE AVAILABLE
PLEASE CONTACT:
JILL - day61break@hotmail.com
JENNI - terrycullen@optusnet.com.au
JILL GEELONG AUSTRALIA
Good Luck Jill! Will be waiting for your report. Hugs
I know you all will have fun. Enjoy!
You remember the portrait of Andre which was painted by Australian artist Graeme Wilkinson - well he has done another one for us of Carmen Monarcha.
Let us have your honest comments please! Thanks everyone.
I think the artist has captured that little flirty look that Carmen does so well.Very good likeness I would say. Reminds me of a look she gives to Morshi Franz in the "wedding" dvd.Also this just fits an actual CARMEN. well done, Graeme. oh yeh, my husband went nuts over this one!
I think it's very good likeness too.
I'm not sure what Carmen would think of the dress though.
That was my only concern also Jill. Thanks
a real Gypsy, well done! Inge
tonight I watched with Vic my husband the tape: the North America I love from l997 and i realized that I made a mistake to tell you it was filmed in Philadelphia, it was filmed in Detroit and what a difference to today, he just was himself and Frank was fat, Mireille was slim , Marc was there, so was Jo and Renate, the stage was just like I made it in my miniatures. André had long and full hair and he was slim, boy how the time passes. everybody was happy and no Dan the banner man yet. We had a good time!!
Could you do aloso Carla??????????? Inge
I think the hair, face & shoulders is a remarkable likeness.
Everything lower, I think is the artists overactive imagination
Yes I agree. We have seen her enough times to know her shape and that's not it. No offense but it's not a true likeness.
Bill, you are right. After looking at many pictures of her it's obvious. I would like to see an adjustment of the dress,this may look like the Carmen in the opera, but this is not our Carmen.It just doesn't fit her style.If the artist wants an honest opinion, I think most of us agree about the dress.
START VOTING, Andre has slipped to 4th!!!
You will not believe that, Carla wrote me a mail, my husband called me to the computer and he said:" Carla wrote to you", I said : "I do not know a Carla", he:"Carla Maffioletti?" I thought he was pulling my leg. But it was her. She wants me to make her a doll from herself for her Godmother in Brazil, she goes home in July. I will sent her the Olympia.
Hi Inge, I saw on Facebook that she was going to contact you but didn't want to say anything. Isn't it great that you sent your photos for us to put on the blog? This is wonderful. Hugs
WHAT A GREAT IDEA INGE, THAT IS ONE OF HER MOST FAMOUS PART, SHE IS WONDERFUL INIT. KATI
Carla is really stepping up to the plate with us.
She gave me permission to added a photo of Carla that appeared on facebook. It is now part of the photo website, I think the photo is the most flattering photo of Carla, that I've seen.
I think this is wonderful! Olympia would be perfect.
She actually wrote, that Ellen Weber wrote to her about my dolls. But how do you get into that Facebook??? I have never been in there, only my daughter Jutta sent us her Wedding pictures as a slide show over Facebook, no idea how that works.
I will sent the doll tomorrow. - Yes Kati I agree with you, the Olympia is also my favorite role from her.
Yes Inge, Ellen Weber was the name but I don't know her. She answered Carla and said she knew you but didn't mention your name, and she would give your information to Carla. Facebook is a social site on the internet. You can join if you want by going to facebook.com In fact we have a page there for our blog. When you get to Facebook.com just search for Andrerieufans and you will get our page. Carla is a friend of our page. You may get pretty busy!!
Ellen Weber wrote in the blog, too. She even sent a concert report with pictures to Sally, I believe it is under featured friends. I met her in the GB from André because she loves figure skating and she skated herself as an adult. We are in constant e-mail contact.- Maybe one day I will check that Facebook out, but I think I spend already tooooooo much time on the computer.
INGE, ARE YOU GOING TO SHOW HER TO US ALSO?? SEND A PICTURE!!YOU HAVE TO CALL UP FACE BOOK AND SIGN UP! KATI
Kati I sent the doll already today, but she looked like the one that I sent to Australia. If you give me your email address, I sent you pictures from the 3 different Carla dolls I made. I also made André a few times different, my favorite is in the Cortona outfit.
THANKS INGE, HERE IT IS katalin_kri@msn.com
I AM VERY ANXIOUS TO SEE THEM!
THE CORTONA DVD IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE ALSO!
THE SQUARE, THE CLOSENESS WITH THE PEOPLE, AND ITALIANS ARE SO MUSICAL, NO WONDER YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE FREE CONCERT SO MUCH!!
KATI
HI INGE! THANKS, WROTE EARLIER, BUT DOES NOT SHOW.
HERE IT IS katalin_kri@msn.com
KATI
Good morning Kati, just mailed you all kinds of pics, had seen your entry. By the way, the Cortona concert was each time 4 hours in a beautiful summer night, but the TV cut it together in 2 hours, so on the DVD you do not see everything. Carla also did the Olympia, which is not on the DVD.
Inge, do you remember which dress it was that Carla called her "dream dress"?You do have it in your minis.I like the costume she wears while singing the laughing song. But then I really like all the costumes & dresses the girls wear. And the jewelry, oh my!
Shirley, the dream dress is the white gold dress as the countess Mariza, it has that Hungarian Hussar look, my absolute favorite. The one from Adele in the bat, I have not made yet.
Hi Inge,
I have only just started to use Facebook recently. I didn't know how to use it but with a bit of playing around with it and even assistance from those on it I'm slowly improving. You really should join up it's an amazing place. You'd be surprised who you can chat with. Last night I had the huge pleasure of chatting with Celine Selah she was in Andre's Choir. She was so lovely and genuine. She said something to me that will stick in my head it sounded like something Andre would say. When I told her that I would love to sing like all of them but unfortunately I can't sing to save myself. She said that it didn't matter everyone should sing that it's a joyous thing to be experienced. You just have to start Inge you'll be amazed at who you can meet and chat with!!
JILL GEELONG AUSTRALIA
Hi Jill
I have posted a link on this page further back on Feb 7th of the Alan Titchmarsh show with Andre. Hope you can find it
Kind regards
Josephine
Andre will be performing on the Classical BRIT Awards to honor Dame Kiri Je Kanawa on Lifetime Achievement Award. The date is Thursday, May 13, 2010. It will be telecast on ITV1. More details later.
Hi Jill, thanks for the advice. I have been looking a bit tonight in Facebook, I could not believe my eyes, my own two daughters are in it and my goddaughter, but then I got a phone call from my sister-in-law and it is her birthday today, so I quit, perhaps I try tomorrow again.
Hi Inge,
See Inge you never know who's on facebook. What a great surprise for you to find your daughter and goddaughter there. Just keep persevering and practicing and you'll find out how much fun you can have on there.
Finally got my copies of 'Live in Sydney" and "I Lost my Heart in Heidelberg", which has taken over no. 1 position on my favourite DVD list. It was so nice to see and hear some new songs and acts.
Have to admit to being green with envy, when my dear Mirusia and the Italian Stallion, started being just a bit too friendly for my liking.
Surely only Andre could think of a skit like that. The Bass looked bigger than the car. What a scream!
Then there was the duet of Marcel on the xylophone and Frank on the the carillion. (Hope the spelling isn't too far off). Incredible!!!
I think the one song that left me with goosebumps was "In mir klingt ein Lied". Mirusia sang so beautifully and the blue gown she wore was stunning.
The Heidelberg scenery was a bit of alright too.
Congratulations Andre, Marjorie and Pierre. A concert of which to be proud.
Lyndall
Adelaide St Aust
From Andre on Twitter. . .
together with Horst looking for possibilities to give an open air here in Bremen.....in summer!!!!
Every night we play Michaels Earth song with a different childern choir. They are all fantastic!
It's sooooooooo cold!!! On our way to our last concert before CARNAVAl.. Alaaf
Flying home! We have a week off! Carnaval...
Hi Jeanine Anne,
Thanks for posting those wonderful photos.Can you just imagine being on a flight with them. I don't know if I could control myself, the excitement would be too much. My fear of flying would be non-existent with all of them aboard. My only problem is I couldn't see Franco oh no!!
Thank you Terezie - link does not work. I removed it. Can you find another link?
All Fans carnival onto maastrich carnival 2010. Good and festivity entertainment Terezie
From Andre on Twitter. . .
Still winter.
I hope everyone has a fantastic, romantic and peaceful Valentine's Day tomorrow!
Romance, romance, romance...can't get any better than that!
Happy Valentine's Day
Hi everyone, just a note to let you know that Sally has been busy with personal business and misses everyone! She hopes to be back next week sometime. In the meantime your moderators will keep you up to date!!
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO ALL FANS!!
Photo Of The Day!
André R., riant sympathe grandfather. When the to us proves photos his grandchildren?
Brr! And even in Sunny Central Florida! Looking forward to Andre & JSO in Dec of 2010. Can we get any pictures or videos of the performance in Stuttgart?
Hi Bill,
Loved your photo gallery of all the JSO members and thanks to all concerned who provided the photos. Could you please tell me Bill if individual members of JSO have their own friendship groups or fan clubs.
JILL GEELONG AUSTRALIA
Hi Josephine,
I tried your link for the Alan Titchmarsh Show however it wouldn't give me access. It said that it can only be played within Britain. Thanks anyway for your help Josephine.
JILL GEELONG AUSTRALIA
Photo Of The Day!! This one is on my desktop : )
Photo by. . . Per Hauberg, in Denmark (Koln, 2010)
How do you get anything else done, but sit there & stare?
That is the problem Shirley, I don't get anything else done but it inspires me to sit at the computer and work on the blog. My housework is almost non existent. : )
Very nice!
I am always watching for the possible upcoming for tours in the United States in 2010. I want to go to there event again as it was so great and super when I went to the event in Milwaukee, Wi on 5/22/09. I hope it is in the area there or maybe in Green Bay, WI too hopefully.
Terry: We were at May 09 concert. What a
beautiful Milwaukee theater. We hoped
Andre would repeat there but 2010 looks
doubtful. Chicago Allstate Arena is the
closest June 28, 2010. I did get to speak to Kalki at reception for several
minutes and that was fun at May 09 concert. Nice Hyatt hotel right across
the street. Chicago driving doesn't thrill me.
Hello, I would love to be on the Andre mailing list. Really love his music & concerts.
My mum borrowed me her Xmas DVD of Andre's & I just feel in love with the music&
Andre! My husband & I are having fiancial problems at the moment, so I put on one of many Andrea DVD's I have & listen to it, with laughter & with tears.
Iam hoping to see him in concert. Will he be coming to Perth, Western Australia? Really hope so.
I will look forward to my mail from the fan club.
FionaAgredezco cualquier información sobre actividad de Andreu Rieu.
Muchas gracias.
i love like plays the violin Andre i hope to learn and plays as him
Geachte heer, mevrouw,
Ik heb een vraag. Mijn (onze) collega gaat per april 2010 van zijn pensioen genieten. Wij willen hem verrassen bij zijn afscheid. Misschien kan u onze helpen. Hij heeft namelijk een grote wens. Deze wens is om bij de opbouw van een concert van Andre Rieu mee te lopen bij de opbouw van de geluidinstallatie. Geluid en geluid installeren is een grote hobby van hem. Hij verzorgt regelmatig het geluid bij evenementen in zijn woonplaats. Hoe of via wie kan ik dit regelen?
Met vriendelijke groet,
Lian Damen (Enexis)
ANDRE FOR PERSON OF THE YEAR !!!
As it stands at the moment Michael Jackson is on 687 votes, Elvis Presley on 452, Cliff Richard on 287 and our Andre on 273 votes. If we all got behind Andre he would be on top in no time. You can vote once per day every day. Just think your vote may very well be the one to change the outcome. Just go to this address it only takes a minute to vote. http://www.persoonvanhetjaar.nl/?sellang=en
JILL GEELONG AUSTRALIA
Yes come on all you lovely Andre Fans Vote Vote Vote. Our gorgeous Andre has a lot of catching up to do to overtake Michael Jackson . Lets make him number1 as we all know he is x
From Andre on Twitter. . .
# Espero los conciertos en Mexico con ilusión. ¡ Ya estoy aprendiendo español tambien con mucha dedicación !
# 2011 will be the year for south America! Looking forward to it already so much. How about you dear fans? I'm still learning my portugese!
From Andre On Twitter. . .
We are about to fly to Münich. We play in the Olympiahalle. The sun is shining after all this month!
There we are Münich.
My new sound check vehicle: my segway. You should see me racing through the hall
Wow I like this!!!
Dear fans,
The following story about Andre was received two days ago and is rather long. I am posting the Dutch version and just want you to know that it will take a little while to put it through Google but the problem is putting it into good readable English. It is a good story and one I am sure you will want to read. Thanks
AMSTERDAM - André Rieu is bijna aan een droom ten onder gegaan. Zijn tournee door Australië in 2008 heeft hem en zijn orkest bijna de kop gekost. 'Ik vind het niet erg om arm te sterven', zegt de 60-jarige vioolvirtuoos. 'Maar het was bijna zover dat ik al mijn orkestleden moest ontslaan. Het was echt té spannen
Gehuld in een lange chique jas, een paraplu boven het hoofd, staat André Rieu in een sneeuwbui op me te wachten voor het station van Maastricht. De op en top gentleman valt op in de stad die nog vol is van het carnaval. 'Mijn financiële man voorspelde al, de jaarcijfers komen nu naar buiten. Dat zal wel een storm van reacties geven.'
Galant houdt André de deur van zijn Mercedes open. Hij zwaait naar een verdwaalde dansmarieke in een dikke panty die wordt ondersteund door een tamboer met een feestmuts. Ze kijken hem vol sympathie aan. Maastricht voelt mee met de stadgenoot, die dit jaar maar liefst acht keer het Vrijthof op zijn kop gaat zetten.
Dit is het enige interview dat hij over het gelukkig inmiddels gepasseerde dramatische dieptepunt in zijn financiële situatie geeft. 'Het gekke is. Ik heb alles al verwerkt. Het is alweer zestien maanden later. We zijn bijna quitte. Ik ben er ook een beetje trots op. We waren zo diep in de ellende dat we een krediet van 23 miljoen euro nodig hadden van de Rabobank. Nu is bijna alles weggewerkt. In stilte zijn we langs de rand van de afgrond gegaan… Het had een drama kunnen worden, maar het is uitstekend afgelopen.'
Op weg naar zijn statige werkkasteel vertelt hij ontspannen sturend door de stad: 'Als we voor 23 miljoen euro in de hele wereld affiches hadden opgehangen, hadden we niet zo’n fantastisch marketingeffect gehad als nu. Ik geef toe: het was heel extreem. En ik heb Majorie en de heren van de bank moeten beloven dat ik het nooit meer zal doen. Maar de hele wereld ligt nu wel aan onze voeten. We zijn zelfs aan het onderhandelen over een grote tournee door Amerika. De manager van Michael Jackson en de man van de platenmaatschappij zijn deze week hier geweest.
Mijn zoon Pierre heeft alles geregeld. Hij zei: ze komen hier, wij hoeven niet daar op audiëntie. Dan hebben ze echt belangstelling. Pierre is het zakelijk talent, ik ben de dromer. Het is de bedoeling dat we gaan optreden in de veertig stadions in Amerika waar we met de Schönbrunn-kastelen terechtkunnen.'
Die kastelen waren toch juist de oorzaak van de financiële ellende?
'Klopt, maar ze zijn nu al gebouwd, hè. Ik heb hier vlakbij voor zeven miljoen euro staal opgeslagen liggen. We hebben nu zelfs drie kastelen. Een prototype en twee die meer geautomatiseerd zijn en minder menskracht nodig hebben om op te bouwen. De miljoenen vlogen hier de deur uit. Er was geen houden aan. We moesten op het laatst nog een extra kasteel bouwen omdat we de boel niet snel genoeg van de ene kant van Australië naar de andere konden brengen. Hup, weer drie miljoen euro nodig. En toen hadden we al moeten slikken omdat een prachtig kasteel van piepschuim door de brandweer was afgekeurd. Wij hadden intussen wel een piepschuimpers van een ton gekocht. Tja. Dat was nog maar het begin.'
In zijn eigen kasteel, zittend bij het knapperend haardvuur op sierlijk Frans meubilair, denkt André Rieu even na. Wijst op een ovale tafel met een stuk of acht stoelen eromheen. 'Daar zaten de bankiers. Ze waren uit Utrecht gekomen, de lokale mannen uit Maastricht konden het niet meer aan. Een hele dag hebben we gepraat. Het was vlak voor de tournee naar Australië begon. Ik had veel meer geld nodig om te kunnen vertrekken. Het moest, we hadden 270.000 kaartjes verkocht. Alles stond klaar. Ja, het was allemaal perfect. We vlogen het ballet uit Wenen over, zes witte lippizaner paarden, we hadden een gouden koets, er waren fonteinen gebouwd zoals ze in het echt voor het kasteel Schönbrunn ook staan. Er waren mensen die me vroegen: heb je dat ballet uit Wenen nou echt nodig? Er zijn in Australië toch ook dansers? En Ivo Niehe, die meeging naar Melbourne, was verbijsterd dat ik in de show perfecte tenoren had staan. Maar ik ben een perfectionist. Ik wil dromen verwezenlijken en mensen ademloos achterlaten. Dat is weer gelukt.'
Vervolgt: 'Pierre wil zijn vader gelukkig maken. En alles doen wat mogelijk is om de sprookjes uit mijn hoofd te realiseren. Maar met dit project ben ik wellicht toch te ver gegaan. Hij is een beetje overspannen geweest van al het werk. Ik voelde intuïtief ook wel aan dat ik over de grens ging. Toen we de bankiers moesten laten komen, zei ik tegen Majorie: ik hoef niet rijk te sterven. Maar ik zie nu wel in dat het aardig is om straks wat geld te hebben voor onze verzorging als we oud zijn. Dat ik niet in een verzorgingstehuis hoef, waar een lieve verpleegster bepaalt wanneer ik naar de wc mag.'
André Rieu peinst: 'Een van de bankiers opperde dat we de tournee naar Australië dan maar niet door moesten laten gaan. Maar dat kon niet. Er was al zo veel geld geïnvesteerd, de kaartjes waren verkocht. Als we niet waren gegaan, waren we echt met z’n allen failliet gegaan en had ik iedereen moeten ontslaan. En dan had ik ook geen mankracht meer gehad om alles terug te verdienen en was ik gewoon terug bij af geweest. Twintig jaar geleden had ik een baan bij het Limburgs Symfonieorkest en een gewoon huisje, zoiets was het voorland. Ik heb dus alles wat ik bezit in onderpand gegeven, het onroerend goed, de auto’s, de spullen, de Stradivarius… Ik werd helemaal uitgekleed. Maar toen was er nog zes miljoen euro tekort.'
Hij glimlacht triomfantelijk: 'De bankiers kreunden en ik dacht: nu komt het eropaan. Ik heb toen in een half uur zes miljoen bij elkaar getelefoneerd. Bij mijn platenmaatschappij kreeg ik drie miljoen los omdat ik de rechten van een aantal dvd’s nog bij hen kon onderbrengen. En ik belde met mijn Duitse promotor. Ik zei: is het je nu drie miljoen euro waard als ik voor drie jaar bijteken? Ik kreeg meteen volmondig ja. De bankiers kregen daar wel rode koontjes van. Maar ze zeiden niet meteen dat het dan goed was. Ze hebben ons een dag of vier laten zweten.'
Heb je in die dagen kunnen slapen?
'Ik slaap altijd. Ik kan mijn gedachten heel goed uitzetten. Ook vlak voor concerten doe ik een dutje, omdat ik voel dat ik het orkest de energie moet geven. Dat we allemaal weer een nieuwe topprestatie kunnen neerzetten. Je gaat wel raar denken. Ik concludeerde dat geld en spullen verliezen niet het ergste kon zijn. Majorie en de jongens waren er nog. Maar ik geef toe, het was eigenlijk wel te spannend. Toen er vanuit Utrecht een ja kwam, hebben we er het glas op geheven. Niks overdrevens, want toen moest het grote terugverdienen gaan beginnen. Ze zeiden streng tegen me: nu moet u wel een paar jaartjes langer blijven spelen, meneer Rieu. Maar dat was ik toch al van plan. En toen kregen we dus meevaller op meevaller. We verkochten meer kaartjes dan verwacht, de dvd’s deden het geweldig. We konden constant 11 miljoen boven de limiet van 23 miljoen blijven. En nu, dank zij een topomzet vorig jaar, ben ik bijna helemaal van de schuld af.'
De orkestleden hebben niets gevoeld van hoe spannend de financiële situatie was: 'Ik heb alles verteld, maar ik heb het hele risico zelf genomen. Ik heb niet gevraagd of ze voor minder wilden spelen of zo. Het was mijn verantwoordelijkheid en ze hebben me vertrouwd. Dat heeft onze band nog hechter gemaakt.'
André Rieu gaf zelfs zijn Stradivarius in onderpand: 'Ik ben positief. Ik rekende erop dat ik hem eventueel over een paar jaar weer terug zou kopen. En hoe lief ik die viool ook heb, het blijft toch maar een ding. Het is trouwens een van de laatste violen die vioolmeester Stradivarius maakte. Hij is gebouwd in 1732 en het is dus een grote viool. Ik had al eerder een Stradivarius, maar die is veel kleiner, uit de begintijd. In de loop van zijn carrière maakte Stradivarius zijn instrumenten steeds groter omdat de zalen groter werden en dus grote klankkasten nodig waren. Ik bracht mijn viool weer terug naar de handelaar in Wenen en hij ging voor drie miljoen euro in de verkoop. Ik had er stiekem wel een miljoen opgelegd, want voor de bank was-ie twee miljoen waard en ik wilde hem eigenlijk niet kwijt natuurlijk. En ik heb hem behouden.'
Hij haalt zijn schouders op: 'Toen het ons goed begon te gaan, vijftien jaar geleden, vlogen de violen me om mijn oren. Een week na zijn dood had ik hier de viool van Yehudi Menuhin al in huis. Maar dat instrument vond ik te klassiek, te ernstig, te kil. Mijn viool is zangerig en warm, meer geschikt voor de wals.'
André Rieu grinnikt: 'Het was trouwens niet voor het eerst dat ik alles in onderpand aan de bank moest geven. Helemaal in het begin ging het om tachtigduizend gulden. Dat was voor mijn eerste geluidsinstallatie, toen ik nog alleen met het salonorkest was en allerlei feestjes afging. Het duurde maar een maand, maar zelfs de vogeltjes in de volière waren toen van de bank.'
Wat is het verschil tussen jouw ellende en die van Marco Borsato?
'Ik heb me bijna vergaloppeerd aan kastelen die ik heb gebouwd. Maar die excentrieke decors hebben nog voor zo veel publiciteit gezorgd dat ik nu op de Amerikaanse lijsten sta als de bestverkopende mannelijke artiest ter wereld. Marco’s bedrijf heeft andere bedrijven gekocht die het niet goed deden. Ik ben bij mijn kern gebleven, bij dat wat ik goed kan. Nu Marco dat ook doet, gaat het hem ook weer beter.'
Nooit meer, heeft André Rieu beloofd, zal hij kastelen bouwen. Maar zoon Pierre is nu wel bezig te kijken of hij het hele Vrijthof kan namaken. André Rieu schatert: 'Klopt. Ik sta dit jaar acht keer in de open lucht op het Vrijthof. Majorie zei terecht dat ik natuurlijk niet altijd geluk kan hebben met het weer. In Brisbane verloren we bijna nog 3 miljoen doordat we op een haar na door een storm moesten afgelasten. Maar het hield op met waaien. Maar goed. We kijken nu naar wat we binnen in het Maastrichtse congrescentrum de MECC kunnen doen. Pierre heeft een stukje Vrijthof laten bouwen, het zou op 1 miljoen euro uitkomen. Maar dat is natuurlijk veel te veel. Pierre is nu met sponsors bezig. Hij wil zijn vader behoeden voor een nieuw financieel drama.'
De vioolvirtuoos glimlacht: 'De vader van Majorie is een gevluchte Jood. Hij is twee keer in zijn leven zijn hele vermogen kwijtgeraakt. In de Eerste Wereldoorlog en in de Tweede Wereldoorlog. En zijn leven is in gevaar geweest. Daar is wat wij hebben meegemaakt toch niks bij
Here I am in Münich with my new friends from the UK! We are preparing a tour in Sept.let you know asap
The today's choir for the earthsong was the intenational schoolchoir in Münich. They are Fantastic!
From Andre On Twitter
New Tweet from Andre. . . .
By By Münich, see you next year. The Comedian Harmenistst sang in the bar last night. Fantastic guys!
Wow, nice photo!!
Hello Dear Fans & Friends!
After working on a project for a while .. taking up a good deal of my time ...
And.. of course my body is not fully healed from my Quad Paralysis ...
NOTHING could stop me from thinking about and loving my Friends.
I am back here to share the joy of Andre Rieu Fans & Friends Around The World
While I was busy, Moderator Jeanine Ann & Moderator Prudence really stepped up and kept us all informed. They work very hard for everyone ... and all because they Love Andre Rieu & his JSO. Please give them a big round of applause.
Moderator Bill has been missing in action, but he has a good reason .. he has been very busy setting up his site .. www.AttachNamesToFaces.com . We haven't let him off the hook and look forward to another Entry from him soon.
Moderator Adagio has been busy writing for us as well. Her detailed reports take time.
Hugs & Kisses to All . . . .
I have been informed there is an ugly fan site making insults aimed at us and telling lies about us on their site and via email and phone. Shame on them, behaving like jealous old hag thugs. We do not apologize for having a site that is Happy, Fun, Informative or for having so many Fans & Friends visiting & taking part in our fun. Fans have reported they feel bullied to receive hateful emails (we have header copies) from the other site's owner just for posting and enjoying our site. Shame Shame!! We will no longer tolerate this, and have sought council for action against any one who insists on lying, harassing and attempting to harm us or our friends. Anyone doing such things needs to immediately cease and desist. This applies to the site, and to each individual engaging in such action. Slander, Libel and Harassment are illegal.
Cease & Desist with any Slander, Libel & Harassment against this site and any and all Fans & Friends who enjoy and comment here. Illegal activity will not be tolerated.
Hello My Friends. I have good news. The doctors have told me I do not have cancer. I will have to have surgery, but thank God, no cancer. Thank you for caring and wishing me well.
CONSTANCE XXOO
Hi Constance, this is such good news! I wish you all the best with the surgery but now you do not need to worry about cancer. Thanks for letting us know and good luck. Big hugs to you
From Andre on Twitter. . . .
Sanne and Nadia have birthday today! Aren't they cute? Hiep hiep hoera
Happy Happy Birthday to Sanne and Nadia! I hope your day is beautiful and that you will both have many more happy days.
Happy birthday, anything you want Sanne and Nadi. February greeting you to all to German Republik Terezie
At the moment I am in the Olympics, last night skated our Joanie Rochette, I judged her still as a Novice skater, the brave girl skated so good last night, even so her mother died in Vancouver of a heart infarct , only 55 years old, she came to see her daughter skate. What a stress to skate under such circumstances. I cross my fingers for her, that she can keep that 3rd place!
In dance Marina Zueva , my former Coach , had the first two couples win Gold and Silver. My daughter was also very exited about that. Jutta was the first to introduce her to the National Team of Canada, when she took her as Choreographer. She came from Russia.
Oh the poor girl. I am wishing only the best for her. All the pressure that you normally have and with this on top of it. Big hugs
Inge, I watched that performance. That she was able to skate at all, during her time of sadness,and skate so well, was very touching. I think she won the hearts of everyone, not just the Canadians. I also hope she can hang on for the bronze. The results were right on. Virtue & Moir were very impressive. The coach, Zueva, is an excellent choregrapher, and I think she always picks the best music. I remember Gordeeva & Grinkov, who I believe she also coached. One thing about the skating this year, that I don't like, is the way NBC is covering the games. I like to watch the skating all at once & NBC breaks everything up, it's a little of this & some of that & then back to skating. When the time says 8:00 & you don't actually see any skating til 9 or so it's very discouraging. I don't remember it being this way before. Anyway, that's my only gripe. haha
Shirley, not only NBC does that, also our network, I could kill them because it made me stay up last night again past midnight, I switch back and forth from NBC to ours.
Yes Marina taught Gordeeva and Grinkov since they were kids, she designed their very first program. I send you a picture from them with Marina and my daughter.
Inge: Did you see the Canadian Tenors
perform during Olympic opening ceremony?
I didn't but ran across them on Oprah
while waiting for 5PM news and WOW! They
are right up there with Andre & JSO on
my Hit Parade. Am lobbying Andre to
check them out and/or include some of
Canadian Tenor songs in future Andre
concerts. CT music samples are on youtube. Some favorites - LaCaliffa,
Hallelujah, Home I'll Be & Always There.
Hello Gary
Was it Leonard Cohen's version of Hallelujah the tenors sang? I just love that tune. Am sure Andre could play it to perfection.
Yes it was the Leonard Cohen version.
And, recently received NTSC versions of
Lost My Heart in Heidelberg & Maastricht
III. The first looked like a truck ran over it but disk was okay. Ha! Returned
the region-free player. Didn't work
properly.
Hi, KD Lang say Leonard Cohen's version of Hallelujah. Regards Helen.
Yes Helen, she does it wonderfully too. I've heard a lot of people sing it, I haven't heard anyone ruin it yet. It's just the most beautiful tune - I have no idea what the song's about though. Anyway, hopefully I'll hear Andre and the JSO play it one day.
I WATCHED THE SHOW, AND THEY WERE NOT ON THE OPENING! KATI
Kati: The Canadian Tenors did sing at
Olympic opening ceremonies. Sang Your
Moment is Here. The athletes were not
present yet so this performance must have been cut from what the TV viewers
actually saw. I checked Twitter and
youtube to make sure I didn't dream this.
Sorry Gary , did not see the Canadian Tenors, I must say to my shame, I fell asleep during the Opening Ceremony and then I went to bed. So I missed them.
I didn't catch the opening ceremonies either, but I did hear the Canadian Tenors on a Dr Phil's valentine show. He presented them as a "gift" to his wife, Robin, who is a big fan of theirs. They sang The Prayer and gave a stuffed Max the Moose to Robin. The singers are very good.All of the audience were given one of their cds. They kind of remind me of Il Divo.
From Andre on Twitter. . .
Leaving for the last 3 concerts in Germany. The sun is shining
Hello all.I need a hug please.I have just 72hs ago taken delivery of a 800gram ragdoll kitten,named Elizabeth Andrée.One André Maestro,the other miniature maniac.I came home to shredded paper,towels on the floor, where else one would ask?I have scratch marks on my legs from where she jumped and missed, skiing on bare skin.Lovely if you are a masochist and I am not.All of this to the beautiful Blue Danube.She has blue eyes like a certain other we all know but a fiend she is.
Hi Libby, consider yourself hugged! I beg she is so cute. She will settle down in time. Send a photo to me and I will see that it gets on the blog so everyone can see it. I think you have my email. Hugs, Jeanine Ann
Elizabeth, I always wanted a Ragdoll, Siamese or Persian cat, but melted down for the strays, but kittens destroy a lot, you have to get her a scratch post and spray it with catnip, it worked with my Poubelle, she leaves now my wall paper alone that she shredded.
Here is Elizabeth Andrée! Isn't she a sweetheart!!
Beautiful! look at those eyes. Libby, she will soon have you wrapped around her little paw. My daughter & husband have a ragdoll named Cici. They are very lovable kitties, she will make you laugh as she goes through her antics, that is if you survive the claws.
what a sweetie, she makes my heart melt.
From Andre on Twitter. . .
And this was the Earth song choir yesterday in Frankfurt. They where the youngest off all and great!
Tomorrow will be the last concert in the German tour with the Berlin Comedian Harmonists..we are all sad
From Andre On Twitter. . .
Preparing myself for the sound check for the last concert of this tour. But there will be lots more!
The people of Maastricht gave Gerd Leers a very warm goodby tonight.We are in Zürich tonight and where there by video. Good by my friend...
First gold medal in the snow ever by Nicolien Sauerbreij! I watched the race live from my dressing room in Zürich. Congratulations!
From Andre on Twitter. . .
A journalist of the Daily Mail was here tonight.I had a chat with him this afternoon. Nice guy!
Look who was in the concert? Cecilia Bartoli! What a great honour for us! She is sooo nice
This was the Swiss choir for the earth song. They sung like swiss angels!
Hi Constance,
Just read your post from the 23rd. I was so happy to hear of your wonderful news. I'm sure your surgery will go well if you haven't had it as yet. You're in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
JILL GEELONG AUSTRALIA
hi there i am looking for inormation on susan erins, i miss her can you give me some info on what she is doing and can she be contacted, cheers pam
From Andre on Twitter. . . .
Leaving home from Zürich.next week South Africa, then recording new CD !!