Josephine's Review Of Andre Rieu Concert At The O2
Photo. . . . . Josephine
Josephine's Andre Rieu Concert At The O2
ANDRE RIEU CONCERT
O2 ARENA LONDON
20th APRIL 2011
Big Ben struck eight chimes. 20000 men women and children’s hearts in The O2 Arena London skipped a beat. The lights dimmed and everyone knew Andre was in the building. Then came the moment everyone had been waiting and longing for. The strains of 76 Trombones echoed around the Arena. The whole place erupted with clapping whistling and shouting. People were on their feet and cameras were clicking. Any worries I had about Andre not getting a rapturous welcome were forgotten. Andre and JSO marched waving and smiling down the aisles towards the stage. Everyone knew they were in for a night of pure fun and wonderful music.
Andre looked magnificent and handsome on stage. Blue eyes shining. Wide dazzling smile. The music and applause died down and the audience was eager to hear what Andre had to say. Every ladies heart melted at the sound of his voice. In his usual tongue in cheek manner Andre assured us that we in London were the best audience in the world.
The magical Concert began with Voices of Spring and throughout the evening we were treated to a selection of beautiful sometimes loud stirring sometimes quiet romantic music from Andre, JSO, Mirusia with Memories, Kimmy with Vilja, Platin Tenors with Chez Maxim, Tanja with The Swan and a local children’s choir with Heal the World. Each performance had a different backdrop relevant to the music.
When Kimmy sang Vilja the whole audience was spellbound. Kimmy has the most magnificent voice that cannot be appreciated unless you hear her sing live and she has such a compelling presence on stage. At the end of Vilja she received a well deserved standing ovation.
One memorable moment came during The Skaters Waltz. Although the temperature outside was sizzling in the 80’s, inside the Arena snow began to fall. Most of the audience in the two front blocks including myself and Darrell werecovered from head to foot with ‘snow’ much to the amusement of the rest of the audience. Everyone took it in good part.
Alas all too soon Andre told us that it was the end and we should go home now. But of course the people of London weren’t going to let him go that easily. Everyone was on their feet shouting ‘more more more’ Andre replied with all the facial expressions and body language that we have come to know and love. He turned to JSO and they were off again launching into their familiar finale starting with the Radetzky March whilst balloons cascaded down from the ceiling. The lovely talented Manoe had the audience enthralled with a wonderful bagpipe solo. Then Andre introduced everyone’s favourite waltz The Blue Danube. In his usual cheeky manner Andre told us that audiences just cannot sit still and remain in their seats when this is played. ‘They just have to get up and dance’ he said, and they did in their hundreds which was wonderful to see.
Well as we all know, sadly all good things must eventually come to an end. After almost three hours Andre told us he needed his bed and we HAD to go home. This time we knew he meant it. Reluctantly, buzzing with joy and happiness everyone left the Arena vowing that this would definitely not be their last Andre Concert. I felt rather smug knowing that Darrell and I have Maastricht to look forward to in July.
Thank you Andre, Marjorie, Pierre, JSO, Kimmy, Mirusia and Choir for a Wonderful Evening
Josephine,perfect! And you look absolutely ravishing.
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Dear Josephine, Thank you so much for the photo and the write up on our favorite Idol. It sounded so wonderful at the concert and I hope we here in the States can do that and so much more to let him know how much we care, love him and appreciate all he and JSO do in bringing great music and entertainment to everywhere and everyone in this World of ours. LOVE
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Wow, Wow, Wow Jose!!
Oh what a night, the best there can ever be!! Wasn't Andre just wonderful!? I too agree that Kimmy sings beautiful. She has grown so much under Andre's guidance. He worked magic with her. Thank you so much for sharing your concert with us!!
Deirdre (Proudly South African)
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Hi Josephine,
Just read your excellent report on Andre's 02 concert.Very well said - you captured the atmosphere very well.And lovely photo of yourself and Darrell.
How many days to Maastricht now??
Love from Brenda
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I heartily concur with everything that JOSEPHINE wrote about the O2 concert. Wonderful evening that no-one wanted to end.I scooped up some of the snow for a keepsake! Mind you, it fell out of some very unlikely places when I undressed for bed! Lovely to have met you & Darrell. I did put a message on a couple of days after the concert but it seems to have disappeared into the ether!
To top it all, Andre won the Classic FM Brit Award-much to the chagrin of some of the toffy-nosed classical purists.
I put in my 2 pennyworth in his defence not once but twice! I will probably get some sarcastic reply but who cares!
Anyone else who feels like making a comment in his defence please do so-lets show them how much he is thought of.
Wish I was going to Maastricht-but I am still hoping for the next best thing-for it to be broadcast to cinemas again.
Love to you all
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Main thing, you and your husband had a good time and enjoyed André and his JSO live for the first time. I think I was like you excited the first time, but I read that nothing has changed nothing new, but nevertheless it is entertaining and always fun.
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I just can´t wait for you to come to Brazil. I´d love to know when???
I have your DVDs fantastic. Hope to see you soon Kisses from a fan in Brazil.
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what a lovely report of the concert in O2.André could never doubt how much his fans think of him,Marjorie,Pierre et al.
I wonder Josephine if André will make a DVD of the concert. then you will have a forever memory of your special night
Best wishes Libby/Elizabeth
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Dear Josephine. LOved your account of Andres concert and so glad you enjoyed yourselves. The 2 Adelaide concerts wer marvelous, wished they would have gone on forever. I was in the second row and you could almost touch them. Tanja recognised me at the soundcheck and waved.... Fancy that ,,, I was really chuffed!. The after party was a bit of a fizzer though as they were all sitting behind a cordon... out of bounds. Tanja did come and speak with me as she recognised me. She is such a lovely friendly girl and I had a talk with her last concert. Also Mirusia had a chat as she was coming in from the foyer area. She is missing her rag doll cat called Blinky Bill. Bela was standing near the roped off area so had a photo with He is a darling.... those expressive eyes! For what was charged for the experience I feel we got short changed, especially as Andre refused to sign his music book which I got from his website saying he had already signed my photo with him..... so we are separated for a while! Im sure there will be a reconciliation when he gets his act together!. The second night was strange as nobody came to the front of the stage and very few danced, so different from the first night. The Australian Medley wasnt played either. There is to be no dvd made in Australia whick seems weird. Maybe they have established themselves here now and not giving us the extras, what a shame. Andre looked marvelous, rested and a bit slimmer I think He interacted with the Audience more than other concerts too. It was 2 enevings I would not havemissed for the world, there is no one like him... Such charisma charmand magnetism... wow !. I have been trying for ages to send posts but they keep vanishing from my screen and driving me crazy, so heres hoping this time. I loved your garden Josephine.. so pretty. I get my new violin in about 2 weeks so I am pretty excited about that. Love and best wishes to you and all other friends Maureen Hunter xx
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