Andre Rieu Returns To Wilkes-Barre
Photo . . . . . Jeanine Ann, Wilkes-Barre
June 22
In Concert: Johann Strauss Orchestra
Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
THE SHORT WORD: Dutch violinist and conductor Andre Rieu brought his 55-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra to the Mohegan Sun Arena, along with his always entertaining blend of classical music, show tunes, marches and waltzes.
Just after the musicians marched to the stage to the familiar strains of “Seventy-Six Trombones” from “The Music Man,” the maestro told the crowd this was the 10th year in a row that the orchestra has played in Pennsylvania.
Judging by the audience’s reaction to the music all evening long, Rieu and his compatriots will be playing here for many more years to come.
The highlight of the performance, both musically and emotionally, was “Earth Song,” the maestro’s tribute to Michael Jackson on which he was joined by 28 singers from the Dallas Middle School Select Chorus.
Nearly two hours later, the crowd was still calling out for more.
THE HIGHLIGHTS: Other highlights included fantastic vocal performances on “Ave Maria,” “Torna a Surriento,” and “Memory” from “Cats.” Strauss’ “Blue Danube” was a crowd pleaser as always, and Rieu played another stirring tribute to Jackson with “Ben.” One of the many encores was a touching solo-violin version of “America the Beautiful,” with the audience standing and singing along in unison.
THE SURPRISES: Nothing really surprising, except that maybe some of the show seemed awfully similar to last year’s right down to the jokes and many of the tunes.
FAST FACTS: Rieu was born in Maastricht in the Netherlands and began studying violin at the age of 5. He formed his Johann Strauss Orchestra in 1987; over the years the orchestra has grown from 12 members to its current 55. Rieu has been dubbed the “King of the Waltz” and has sold over 30 million albums worldwide. He will release the CD/DVD “Forever Vienna” on June 29; other recent titles include “I Lost My Heart in Heidelberg” and “Live in Dresden: The Wedding at the Opera.” He released “Greatest Hits” collections on both CD and DVD (with clips from his numerous PBS specials) in 2009.
THE CROWD: The attendance figure was not available at press time. It looked like a fairly sizable crowd, but far from capacity.
UP NEXT: There are only six dates left on Rieu’s North American tour, including tonight in Wallingford, Conn. The next concert at the arena is the “Troubadour Reunion” show with Carole King and James Taylor on Monday.
- Brad Patton
I'm still waiting for Suzan Erens to make an appearance with Andre Rieu
Hi John, I would suggest that you post your wish on Andre's Guestbook at andrerieu.com If he gets enough comments about Suzan he just may have her back. Being just a fan site we have no say on who Andre chooses for his concerts. Good luck and keep posting with us also.
Thank you BRAD, for giving us the details on the concert MUSIC.
Jeanine Anne, your photo of ANDRE, is one of the BEST I've ever seen.
Oh my goodnes What a fantastic picture
Even gorgeous in profile xx
LaLaLa. LaLaLaLaLaLaLaLaLaLa
Thats The Shostakovitch Waltz No2 by the way xx
Yeh Josephine, I think the same! He looks so well & healthy even on Profile. He's just gorgeous at whatever angle! Perhaps this is a bit cheeky, but glad I don't need to consider 'liposuction' on my chin before I see this wonderful man in Concert (ha, ha!!). I love that he is so natural, as well as so talented! xx
Great photo Jeanine Ann, thanks.
He looks very healthy here to me; looks like no need to worry that he's otherwise. HUGS TO ALL.
quero deixar aqui minha homanagen para o querido maestro André rieu pelo seu aniversário no dia 01/10/2010 compretando 61 anos quero desejar muita saúde e felicidades para ele e muito sucesso.