Andre Rieu - Meeting With The Beautiful Andre Rieu by Libby
MEETING WITH THE BEAUTIFUL ANDRÉ
On 160307 I first met André on Live from Dublin. It was my
Birthday and I was feeling a little bit sorry for myself, as some important plans had been canceled. Anyway this amazing blue suited gentleman bounced across the screen and I went YUMMMM=youthful, unrivaled, magical, musical Maestro-delicious.
I loathe black and to see someone presenting classical music in other than black was delicious. The men of the orchestra look superb in black and white. They have glorious fun filled faces and look and sound perfect. I am sure they are not !!!perfect that is.
André asked the audience why everyone loved the waltz and told the audience to put their hand on their heart-your own heart please-I saw that!! This appealed to my anatomical sense of humour. Later he said Happy Birthday to You and My heart will go on. By this stage I was in love, teary and totally amazed at how relevant the performance was for me.
Many of you know my story of the loss of my beautiful, high achieving son, Benjamen, who came top of Adelaide Uni’s Health Science 3 year program, Faculty of Medicine 2000.
He was thrown from a 20 story building in downtown Jakarta, Indonesia, while at work. The Australian Govt has done absolutely nothing to help me.
I thought I was going crazy falling in love with someone who was unavailable anyway. I have never been a member of a fan club, although I admire many musicians. Cheeky Jon Bon Jovi for instance. I love Bad Medicine and Lay your Hands on Me. Ben was 10 at the time and he wanted the New Jersey album for his birthday. Jon I have not met but the long legged Maestro I have and he really is gorgeous. A very dear friend pointed out to me that the reason I admire André so much is he is like Ben or the other way around. I actually sighed a huge sigh of relief.
November 2008 Melbourne
I was given the opportunity to travel to Melbourne to meet our Maestro. We lined up for over 4 hrs to have six seconds with him. I said I am Elizabeth, could you please write my name-no response. I wished him happy birthday for 1st October and told him that we loved him, to which he said thank you very much.
November 2008 Adelaide
I was given a ticket to the concert at AAMI stadium where we saw Pierre’s rendition of Schonbrunn. It was overwhelming. I have been inside the real one but this was beautiful. After the concert Kerstin Cornelis took us to where we were to have supper and then meet our André. I had been given a ticket for this too. I am <150cm tall and Kerstin told everyone to wander around and she would find them when André appeared. She discreetly asked me to wait and someone would be my waitress. Nothing was said about my height or lack of it. As I stood in front of André he asked, "Have I met you?" I felt like a princess. I told him yes and twice. Like everyone I had my photo taken with him.
During the evening I asked him if I could dedicate the book I am writing about my beautiful Ben, called, "A Hug and a Wooden Spoon" NEVER EVER did I smack my son with a wooden spoon, in case anyone is concerned about child abuse. André said that that was special and yes I could. I told him how much he and Marjorie’s music and cheeky texts had helped me find myself again. What a gem. At the end of the evening I complained that everyone was tall and I was not. André bent his knees to be closer to my height and then said, "Now you are tall." I put my hands out to hug him and then remembered that was not allowed. I then said, "You really are gorgeous", to which Pierre responded, "You’ve said it again."
My response, "You are gorgeous, he is gorgeous and it is not my fault," to the amusement of both genius men. Never will I forget that amazing evening
I, too, fell in love with Andre after watching, Live in Dublin, in May 2007.I had never heard of him, and saw some of his DVDs at my Post Shop.After that experience, I was 'hooked' and have been fortunate too be able to attend his first concert in Adelaide in 2008, courtesy of my lovely son.What a man, and what an artist. Love him, just love him.
What a wonderful story Libby.
I cannot help but think Ben is with you as listen to Andre and talk with him and Pierre.
Andre makes many a woman's knee's buckle but you buckled his!! I bet that was cute.
I am glad you were giving the chance to meet Maestro, and to think he recalled seeing you!
I hope we can hear about your next visit with Andre. They seem to be getting better and better
What a lovely story, I did enjoy reading it, and you are so lucky to have been able to go to a live concert.
Though Andre is performing on tour in
Britain later on in the year, I am not able to attend. How I wish I was. Maybe next time.
Libby, I liked your picture with Pierre!
Libby, I like that too but I like your photo with Andre more!!! : )
thankyou so much everyone for your generous and warm comments. The man sends me and I told him I loved him but not like Marjorie.Whether he believed me or not it is true.He truly is wonderful and Pierre put his arms around my shoulder and said he was so sorry about my son.Newly married and totally thoughtful.