Al's Concerts and Fan Dinners in Australia 2008

I know that Australia is high on nearly everyone's list of places they wish to visit. This was my seventh time in Australia, and my third in a year. My first trip there was in 1985. I have a lot of friends in that marvelous country, and the circle keeps growing. I'd been in both Telstra Dome and AAMI Stadium before as well.

On the evening of the first Melbourne concert I arrived early and met Jann and her hubby at the appointed place. It was nice to meet the person who had done such an amazing job with the Aussie fans website.

This was the third location that I would attend concerts on the World Stadium Tour. The castle in Toronto was the largest, but then again, Toronto's Rogers Center is a huge stadium. Telstra Dome
would fit inside Rogers Center.

The concerts that I attended in Amsterdam in July showed me that the castle was adjustable to stadium size. The castle in Toronto had six jumbo-trons, while the version in Amsterdam had four. Missing were the two vertical screens where only the image of André were shown. In Toronto and Amsterdam the two supporting pillars to the roof section over the orchestra were quite wide-probably more than four feet to a side, and they blocked the stage view of people who were sitting off at an angle.

The pillars in Melbourne were half that width, giving much better views for people off to the sides. There were other changes at Melbourne as well. Gone was Tanja, the cellist and in her place sat a different blond girl. Tough act to follow, but I thought she did an excellent job. A few others were not there either, and I spotted a few unfamiliar faces amongst the orchestra. The choir had six girls instead of the usual eight.

The skaters had a difficult task because rather than skating on ice they were skating on plastic since the ice would melt in the heat of the Australian summer. The four skaters who performed to "My Heart Will Go On" noticeably had a tough time on the plastic. They did not do throws at all. However the Australian Stars On Ice, the groups who waltzed on the two rinks did pretty well.

Both Gary Bennett and Mirusia were heartily applauded when they were introduced. Mirusia appeared on stage in a stunning red sequined gown that was on fire under the lights. She looked simply spectacular with her golden curls, silver necklace and the flaming gown. I noticed that Andre is not using her surname at all.

There were no balloons for Radetzky March, and when I asked a crew member about that, he said that there would be balloons the next two concerts because they were to be taped.

It was a great concert and the audience was really into it. I would
certainly say that the trip from Canada was a good idea.

After the concert I again met Jann and her hubby Murray. We got into their car and drove to their home where I uploaded all of my concert photos to Jann's computer. She then drove me to my hotel before she headed home. I got to bed at 2:30 am.

The next day around noon I phoned her. She sounded tired, so I asked her if I woke her up. She told me that she hadn't been to bed yet. She'd been working on the website all night!

The Friday concert was just as enjoyable, but playing to a much
larger audience.

Saturday was the fan dinner, and to say that Lyndall and Rob did an outstanding job is to do them an injustice. The work they did in decorating the facility was nothing short of amazing. There was a very good turnout for the function which was held at "The Fix", a first-class establishment about a kilometer from the Telstra Dome which was just across the water. Lyndall and Rob thought of everything, including hiring two busses which took us to the venue for the concert.

I had never seen a technical problem occur at an André Rieu concert, but the luck didn't hold as The Empress Sisi's microphone failed. Not a sound was heard as she sang the first few bars of her featured song "I Belong To Me". André stopped the music and both Suzan and André handled the situation in a most professional manner. André finally asked a technician to give Suzan a hand-held FM microphone so that she could finish the song. I'm sure that when the DVD is released we won't see that glitch. I'll bet they'll insert her singing from the previous evening.

Now to Adelaide. The fan gathering was at an absolutely beautiful home right at the edge of salt water. This time it was pot luck and once again the turnout was terrific. Once again Lyndall and Rob had done amazing preparation, and once again busses took us to the venue. Terribly diasppointing crowds, but appreciative nonetheless.
The support pillers were different here. They were the same size as
those in Melbourne, but they did not have the panels on them, so
one could see right through with just the black ribbing showing. I doubt anyone but me would have noticed that. I noticed, of course, since I had seen the other configurations, and my verdict is that the new pillers did not look out of place.

It was interesting to see the castle in the daylight of the outdoors.
Due to local regulations which dictated that the concert must end at 10:45 pm, the concerts began at 7:30 pm. One casualty of the lack of controlled lighting was the Mozart medly "A Little Night Music" because near the end of it there is a dreamy segment where the lights dim dramatically and the screens show stars. It's really a nice segment wich was beautiful in Melbourne but not visible in Adelaide. It was dark by the intermission, so once again the controlled lighting took over.

Dancers were up waltzing in great numbers at all of the Australian concerts for "The Blue Danube". I was up front for all of the Melbourne concerts, but chose not to go up front at Adelaide. I had great seats at all five concerts and had a truly memorable trip overall.

~ Al

André Will Be Back Next October 2009 in Australia!!

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♦The Harmony Parlor With André Rieu

Aussie Friends Go To Theater Showing of André's Concert From Maastricht

Andreday, 18th July 2010
Report of their day from Val


Well, what a day we have had! Sad to think it has come and gone! Andreday, 18th July 2010, a date that seemed to take forever to arrive. A day, well worth waiting for.


Sixteen of us left our homes early this morning, with one aim in mind, to achieve “pole position” at the Cameo Theatre in Belgrave in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. (Back row status!) However, the best laid plans can go awry as ours did! Theatre Management had changed their plan of attack following the queues that had surrounded Belgrave last October, when André was screened LIVE from Sydney, and had decided to open their doors RIEU-lly early. Not to worry though, as our seats were fine, if not a fair few rows closer to the front. Thankfully Cinema Management had provided us with their best theatre so there was plenty of room for everyone and fantastic “sound”!


Thanks to our forward scout Chris M, a booking had been made at the Reel Cafe (renamed the RIEU-L Cafe for the day) next door to the theatre, for an early coffee followed by a late lunch on completion of the concert. By this time, half of the group had taken over 16 seats in the theatre and had covered the seats with anything and everything, i.e. Andre scarves, coats, bags, etc. By 10.30 a.m. everyone had arrived and we quickly moved into position. Our seats were excellent and everyone could see (most important, when one is rather short!). “André” was up in lights on the big screen, advising us of the time left before transmission commenced.


The gorgeous Sammy from LIVE Entertainment graced us with her presence and proceeded to tell us what was in store for us (as if we didn’t know!!). A wonderful tour of Maastricht set the tone for what was to follow, and only served to whet the appetite for the intrepid travellers planning their Andre adventure for July 2011!The countdown was over and there HE was, marching, whistling, waving - magnificent!
The concert was fantastic. We loved it. Everything seemed to go according to Andre’s plan. Tonight, no fire backstage, no storm to create havoc, just marvellous music, singing, colour and Andre, at his best!


Sammy again appeared during Intermission and provided us with a wonderful interview with “our” gorgeous Mirusia, and then the second half began. André kept us amused as he organised the returning crowd, most of them battling to find their correct seat.


Too soon it was all over, and true to his word, André provided a wonderful, sparkling interview with Sammy, immediately after the concert had ended. We now look forward to October when he will be Down Under to visit us and once again, fill our lives with “magic”, bring it on!!

We look forward to the return of our wandering minstrels, Mrs. Ed, Helen & Richard and Val & Graham at the end of July when they will tell us all about their wonderful time in marvellous Maastricht (very similar to “marvellous Melbourne”!).


In the meantime, we have lots to look forward to, beginning with “Christmas in July” in Woodend at a Dutch Cafe, with “André on tap” on 29th July. In August, we look forward to sharing our Get-Together with Mother Superior on 25th August at The Knox Tavern. In October, on the 1st (André’s birthday!) we will spend the day at the wonderful Tesselaar’s Tulip Farm, and then it will be “Showtime” at Rod Laver Arena !!


Before ending my report, I would like to welcome Yvonne, who is going to join us at our August Get-together, and possibly Marie and Henry & Maria will come along too. I look forward to seeing you again soon and thank you so much for your support, encouragement and wonderful company, all thanks to the Maestro, André.


CheeRIEU ... love from Your Roving Reporter, Val

Some Christmas Photos With André

(Click on Photos to See Full Size)

Sketch by "Lilly" and Painting by Her Aunt "Nada"

♫ On Wednesday, Nov. 12, many of you may have read a guestbook message from Lilly, in Australia:

Dear Friends of Andre,
My name is Lilly and I am writing this on behalf of my 84 year old aunt, a talented artist. She painted a lovely portrait of Andre, and would love to send it to him. Reason being is, she lost her only daughter in May from cancer, and Mr. Rieu and his music made my cousin’s final days easier to take. Is there some way we can send our heartfelt thanks and artwork to this dear man?
Thank you for your time reading this email.
Sincerely yours, Lilly Antoneavic

♫ We wrote back giving her the address that has been listed on André’s website. We passed along a suggestion that they try to give the artwork to Andre at the concerts, rather than mailing it. We also indicated that we would also like to see the pictures if they wouldn’t mind sharing them with the fans.The story continues …

Huge thank you for your kindness to my request. I was at Mr. Rieu’s concert last night here in Melbourne/Australia and I was in heaven all night. Of course you can have the Digital Pictures of the paintings and my small humble drawing. My aunt is going to his concert tonight Friday 14th and she is hoping to somehow hand the artwork to him. If she fails, then we will send it to Mr. Rieu by snail mail, lol. I was sitting extremely near the stage, I think my Aunt will be able to give Andre the art tonight, Friday November 14Th.

♫ She then sent us digital copies of the artwork, and wrote:

I am glad you like the artwork. Yes, I used a small picture of Andre my friend emailed to me so I can Draw and Paint him. Now that I have discovered the websites, I will have lots of samples from where I can draw and paint this handsome dear man, of course I will ask permission if I wish to paint from YOUR SITE. I also bought a BOOK about Andre and there are lots of nice photos from which I can indulge my passion for portraiture. Both my aunt and I are Portrait Artists.

♫ We told her we would wait until after the Friday concert to post the pictures at the slight chance they would be successful in their presentation. After all, André should be the first to see it, before the public. The next morning, here is her gleeful message!

I AM SO EXCITED! WE HANDED ANDRE OUR ARTWORK OF HIM, HE PERSONALLY TOOK IT FROM OUR HANDS AS WE SURGED THE STAGE AT INTERVAL ETC. I CAN’T BELIEVE IT I AM SO HAPPY I CAN DIE HAPPY NOW, LOL. I HOPE HE LOOKS AT THE ART MY AUNT AND I DID FOR HIM WE LOVE HIM SO MUCH AND BESIDES HIS MUSIC GAVE OUR LOVED ONE SO MUCH JOY DAYS BEFORE SHE DIED IN MAY 28TH 2008 OF CANCER. SHE WAS MY LOVING COUSIN RACHEL, AND SHE WAS ABOUT SAME AGE AS I AM. AGAIN HUGE THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING AND PLEASE YES UPLOAD OUR ART ON THE WEBSITE. HUGS TO YOU AND ALL ANDRE FANS FROM, LILLY AND CATS AND MRS DANON MY DEAR AUNT.

If you would like to see some of the other work Lilly has done, you can go to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/siamesecat


Thank You to Chris T. for the work she did to bring this little story to us!