Andre Rieu - South Australia Friendship Group - July, 2010
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ANDRÉ RIEU FRIENDSHIP GROUP
On Monday, July 26, The South Australian André Rieu Friendship Group met, as usual, for lunch at the Director's Hotel.
We had the pleasure in welcoming back Lyla and welcoming to our club for their first time, Judy and Malcolm.
Judy, until this week, has been unable to join us on Mondays, but did join us last October,when we held the 60th Birthday part for the Great One. It was lovely she was able to be with us this month, but due to business time constraints, won't be able to join us again until October.
It was so lovely to have the company of Lyla once again. If her situation isn't the epitome of a true and loyal André fan, then I don't know what is. Last November she had a knee operation, which wasn't successful, therefore she had to have it done again earlier this year. Feeling a little better, she wanted to join us on Monday, leaving home at 8.30to catch 3 buses to get to the city by 12.30. After Rob picked her up from the bus stop, got her to the hotel and up the steep stairs, she was one very tired lady. Getting her back to the bus stop at 4p.m. for her round trip home, I doubt she would have made it to her front door by the time nighttime had fallen. What separates this lovely lady from we mere mortals is that Lyla is nearly 90 years young. So from us all Lyla, a very big thank you and hopefully in the not too distant future you will once again be with us.
Malcolm joined us for the very first time and we would like to think that he enjoyed our company and we see him regularly. It would be nice to have another male present out our little gatherings. Therefore Malcolm, a very warm welcome.
Due to family commitments in Qld, Margaret couldn't be with us and Ann is away. Apologies were also received from Terry and I believe Beth is preparing for the invasion of overseas family
It was decided that, as I was showing a new DVD, which had been sent to me earlier in the week - the Gala Amsterdam concert 2009 - that they would quickly skim through the handouts and whilst doing that talk about the cinema experience, which turned into a pretty lengthy debate, which was good, whilst awaiting our lunches and then the DVD was set running, whilst we ate. I hadn't had a chance to watch it prior to this showing, so we had no idea whether it was even going to play and with a DVD malfunction at the beginning, our fears where not without validity, but with the help of the hotel staff, we were soon off and running.
I had intended to play half this month and the other half next month, but as it turned out, apart from Lyla who had a bus to catch, everyone else stayed on to its conclusion. Even though there were no subtitles, it made no difference to the usual high standards of the DVD and it was most thoroughly enjoyed.
I have found that there is so much comradeship amongst our group, that we are able to eat, talk, watch the DVD,sing, clap and sway, without causing any discomfort to the others. Whether the conversation is on something that's been in the paper, AR news, old or new or even comments on the DVD playing, for some odd reason it helps to make the day all that much more enjoyable, the camaraderie pleasant and most certainly is never intrusive.
Obviously, the main source of discussion was the Cinema Live feed on the previous Sunday a week ago. It appears that the cinema we attended was the lucky one. I know two others who attended two different cinemas around Adelaide and at one, half was just about lost, as the link kept fading out and at the other, the last part of the final half and well as the interview with André was lost. Apparently, one of the ushers went up to the front of the cinema and said that the link had been lost due to the wild winter weather, they couldn't get it back, so they might as well pack up there things and go home. Most disappointing for all those who were at either of these establishments.
Another point was that it was being promoted as 'live' and when we had a full length interval, we all thought that we were going to get the full concert, but as it turned out, that wasn't the case. I believe DJ Otzi was in the show, but we never saw him perform and when packing up their instruments, Manoe picked up her bagpipes, which, throughout the duration of what we saw never played them. Now whether that was due to not feeling well or whether it was cut from the feed, we'll never know I guess. Our only real criticism is that it shouldn't be promised as 'live' and if they are going to cut and paste and edit the programme for cinema or t.v. coverage, then wouldn't it be better to cut down the length, or all of intermission, so as not to miss all the last half including the encores. Other than that, we all loved the concert, with us all pretty much of the same opinion as to it being one of his best.
I've had a couple of inquiries from friends as to firstly - is Frank and Sanne still together and has anyone noticed Pierre not wearing his wedding ring.? None of our group had any guess on that either. Can anyone else help please?
The next meeting is on Monday 31st August, 12.30 -2.30 at the Director's Hotel, 247 Gouger Street Adelaide
Inquiries to Robert0412802301 or robert_s_freeman@yahoo.com, or Lyndall 0412572301 or lyndall.freeman@bigpond.com
Regards
Lyndal land Robert Freeman
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