ANDRE RIEU ~ RED CARPET :SYDNEY 2009

André Rieu's Evening on the Red Carpet ...


May10 : 2009
By Jann T.
Photographs property of Jann T.



It's really been a busy day, a quick flight up to Sydney and straight out to the Entertainment Quarter for the showing of "Live in Australia" on the big screen along with the Meet & Greet in the Premier Lounge, followed by the "Red Carpet" interviews downstairs.

The telecast started off with Richard Wilkins interviewing Pierre who had just finished phoning his Mother to wish her Happy Mother's Day, now I must add this interview was happening down at the very end of the red carpet - a fair distance from where I was at the tail end of the "gung-ho" paparazzi when an unexpected visitor appeared on the red carpet ... a tiny terrier dog who simply appeared from nowhere !!!

I was so UTTERLY amused with the little doggie and busy laughing I forgot to take a pic, he walked that red carpet as if it had been laid out there just for him - it was sensational, of course now I regret not taking that pic. Seriously there is no way in the world you could get any producer or director to replicate the incident. He made his entrance just behind Richard and Pierre, calmly trotted the length of the carpet, right through the front door of the cinema complex, into the lobby as if he were the star of the day - IT WAS JUST THE BEST.


Next it was Mirusia's turn on the red carpet with Richard - and how lucky does a girl get ... the interviews were now being held right in front of me - I had "poll position". Mirusia was dressed for her red carpet debut in a low cut silver floor length evening gown and looked stunning, only to be outdone by her twinkling eyes.

And now it was André's turn, he was obviously enjoying himself and the rapport between him and Richard was evident as they fed off each other with the questions and answers. A competition had been run asking people to send in questions they would like to ask André and a handful were selected for the evening. The ONE question I remember clearly is when was his grandchild due !!! Andre answered that Marc's baby is due around the 5th July and he will definitely be home for the occasion. And - yes André had phoned Marjorie for Mother's Day. The interviews were great and Richard again displayed the aplomb he is well known for.

Now for the Premier Lounge, the Meet & Greet and Champagne. I was allowed up there as long as I remained discreet, not a problem I promised. Discretion disappeared out the window, the Lounge was filled with the NSW Friendship Group and several other readers from the website, it was more like turning up at a surprise party. Everyone was in great spirits and looking forward to meeting André and Mirusia, they were not disappointed.

Everyone attending the evening received a CD "The Andre Experience" with 12 tracks that was the single CD "Masterpieces" put out overseas in 2007 accompanied with a 20 page souvenir program.

Another sprint up the stairs to say goodbye to everyone settled comfortably into their seats for the rest of the show and another round of hugs. Reports have come in saying "You could clearly see André's face relax & delight in the audience response 5 minutes into the movie when he asked for a standing ovation for Pierre's achievement ... there goes one very proud Father and who can blame him !!!

Mercy dash back to the airport and home to Melbourne, it's been a long weekend with a lot of WOW factor. My thanks to Universal and Hoyts for the experience.

There are several more pic's to come and will be made available over the next few days.

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Click here to see Photo's from "The Count"

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ANDRE RIEU ~ PERFECT MOTHER'S DAY

The Perfect Mother's Day with André Rieu ...


May 11` : 2009
By Angela Quy


This would have to be by far the best evening so far this year. The red carpet was rolled out and Richard Wilkins was being Richard Wilkins and interviewing amongst the crowd of early gatherers. Everyone was so obviously excited and anxious awaiting André’s arrival. Mother Superior’s flock was now in a good spot in the awaiting queue (thanks Margaret) and our camera flashes went off like fireworks as we captured that moment on each and everybody’s camera in turn. Good thing we were then called into the theatre before we all got lock jaw from our smiling poses. We collected our CDs and programs and entered the meet & greet room where champagne was flowing and canapés were graciously served.

Lo and behold, the first celebrity arrived and surprised us all. It was none other than our own lovely Jann. Once again, the camera flashes took a beating as we captured yet another unforgettable moment. Loads of chatting and laughing later, the Maestro himself arrived (Johann in tow) and the stunning Mirusia not far behind. André very obligingly signed each and every CD cover put in front of him. That right arm is “unstoppable”.

Several champagnes later, we entered La Premiere and made ourselves comfortable on the plush seats. Richard and André were at centre stage/screen and an opening speech was made. The film started and being shown on such a large screen made it feel like were back in the Stadium at the concert. Needless to say, it was a fantastic experience and it would be great to watch all of André’s DVDs in this way. The only thing missing was the mosh pit, but I’m sure they’ll think of it next time around.

At the end, André, Mirusia and Pierre came back out and André made a short farewell/thankyou speech. To summise, it was a most unforgettable evening and we were so lucky to have been there, but what made it even more special was to have shared it with our GB friends. I’m sure all members of the flock took some awesome photos and if you’d all please send them to our dear Jann, we can share with everyone.



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ANDRE RIEU BLITZES EASTLAND

André Rieu Blitzes Eastland ...


May 9 : 2009
By Jann T.
Photographs property of Jann T.

André Waltzes with Security Guard !!!

Eastland filled quickly this morning as everyone turned up for the much anticipated appearance of André and Mirusia. It was fascinating to watch the comings and goings in the "media mosh pit" ... being on that side of the fence certainly gives you a different perspective !!! Although running half an hour late, he more than made up for it once he arrived. He made a striking figure in his suit and Mirusia was stunning in a short black fitted dress with hot pink strings to form short sleeves.

André paid tribute to Victoria's bushfire victims and with feeling made this comment - "When we heard about these terrible fires in Australia, the only thing I wanted to do was jump on a plane and come and help you, but I am not much of a fireman." André went on to add "only when we're together, we can help each other, and we can go into the future." Mirusia gave us "Aussie Aussie ...Oy Oy and the crowd loved it. André performed Oh What A Beautiful Morning and then with Mirusia, they performed You'll Never Walk Alone - it was a beautiful performance. Then it was down to some elbow-grease for the two as they sat down and greeted everyone there as they autographed one CD/DVD after another, as I stood behind them, I could only marvel how much of themselves they gave to each person. And, it was great to meet up with Pierre again - what a gorgeous young well mannered man.

The highlight came at the very end when André spontaneously from behind the table, grabbed the closest security guard and started waltzing !!!! ... this was an absolute treat.

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ARIE'S CONCERT WITH SUZAN ERENS

Arie's Concert With Suzan Erens ...

June 9 : 2009

Arie and Suzan Erens

BLAOSMEZIEK ”Music All Inclusive”
We, Ned and I are fans of Suzan Erens. We agreed to meet each other in front of the Theatre in Sittard. At 8:30 PM we entered the theatre to find our tickets. The orchestra was a big brass band “Harmonie St. Joseph from Sittard, director Björn Bus.

We thought this is not an orchestra that suites Suzan Erens. But we were wrong, it was fantastic. Also the voice of Marc Clear who sang together with Suzan was beautiful.


The Music Program
Oil Barrel Beat ~ Brass band Harmonie St. Joseph
Rise of The Firebird ~ Brass band Harmonie St. Joseph
Saga Candida ~ Brass band Harmonie St. Joseph


With Suzan Erens
Don’t cry for me Argentina ~ from Evita Suzan Erens soprano
Cabaret ~ Marc Clear tenor
Doina ~ Koen Cuijpers clarinet
The Phantom of the Opera ~ Suzan Erens soprano, Marc Clear tenor. Many songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber


*** Intermezzo ***


Rock March ~ Rhythm group
76 Trombones ~ Rhythm group
Una Noche en Granada ~ Brass band Harmonie St. Joseph
Over the rainbow ~ from The Wizard of Oz Suzan Erens soprano
Clapping Hands ~ Brass band Harmonie St. Joseph
“I Only Want To Say” ~ from Jesus Christ Superstar Marc Clear tenor
Anthem from Chess ~ Suzan Erens soprano, Marc Clear tenor


"The Concert Was in Every Aspect Outstanding"


In the Lobby with Suzan ...

After the concert we met Suzan in the lobby. We, Ned and me, could talk for a long time with Suzan. I asked her about “Where in Norway she will live?” She explained to me, near the Pole circle (Mosjøen) in the Municipality of Vefsn. 320 Km north of Trondheim.

From their house they have a beautiful view. And she can ski nearly the whole year through. Her boyfriend Mitch is from Sittard and is a Dutchman. They went there a few months ago and they liked it a lot. Now they want to emigrate to Norway. Mitch is a young man and bolt.
He was very busy at that moment and walking back and forth. Suzan said to me: “That’s Mitch. I saw him, but I was not presented to him. My impression is he is a nice guy.
I asked her about the CD. She thinks the CD will be finished after a while, but yes will be released. I asked her about her singing in Norway. She answered me, that’s not yet determined.

But concerning André specials, “If André invites me, I am available.”
So let’s start asking André to invite Suzan!!! ~ Arie

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MRS ED. WITH ANDRE RIEU & FRIENDS IN VANCOUVER

Mrs Ed. with André and Friends in Vancouver ...


June : 2009


WOW !! What a night we had. Before the concert started, we took to our seats, which were up on the side looking down to the stage, we could see everything, including Alice handing out her flags to everyone down on the floor.

I waved my Aussie flag and Alice spotted us, and made a mad dash up to our seats and handed Jeff and I our own little flags. At that moment, André & the JSO made their entrance to 76 Trombones, so she made another mad dash down the stairs to her seat. Always a stirring moment when that music starts, I had goose bumps and a tear in my eye. I was in my element.

It was the start of a fantastic concert as usual, but I became so mesmerized, I can't remember half of the pieces, but there were a lot of the ones we all know and love, such as Gold & Silver, Blue Danube, Clog dance and the party piece, Espana Cani [bull], Doll song [Carla], Song of Volga,which made me cry. There where lot's of others including the encores which gets everyone going.

André was fantastic and very relaxed, but I thought he looked tired as they only arrived that morning or late the night before. What a great entertainer he is, his facial expressions were fantastic, just gorgeous and a lot more than usual, he really teased the dancers in the Blue Danube. I thought the audience were very quiet to start with, but once they got into the swing of things they really let go. All in all it was a fantastic concert and as usual André & the JSO excelled, brilliant..

I met up with Alice after the concert and met her Mum & Dad and she introduced me to Beate from Germany, a lovely lady.

Alice suggested we go to the loading bays were André's buses were, so we did and we waited for around 50 or 60 min's. The JSO were coming out one by one, but we didn't disturb them and then the thrill of a lifetime, Andre came out and came over and said Hi and thanks and gave us his autograph including my Live in Australia CD, that was played all through Alaska [great mountain music]. There were only about 12 people waiting I think. What a guy - so generous with his time, he must have been really tired. Mirusia came running out as she was the last for the bus, but had the time to speak to us and give Alice a big hug as she remembered her from another time. Mirusia saw my Aussie flag and said an Aussie, I said yes, sorry I didn't yell out Aussie, Aussie, she laughed and said are you coming in October, I said sure am and she said see you there, she gave Alice another hug and rushed for the bus. What a down to earth girl, she is just lovely.

Off they went in André's beautiful blue buses and thought that was the last we would see of them ......Wrong!!!!

Alice asked what time do you check out of your Hotel? 11.00am I said, as we have a midnight flight home. Poor old Mr Ed is still waiting for us, as we are planning all these things. Luckily he is a very patient person, he likes André & the JSO and the music, but he's not a fan like us. Anyway Alice said I'll pick you up at that time and take you sight seeing, have lunch and take you to the airport later. Fantastic that will be great.

Anyway Alice picks us up the next morning and we were almost out of the city stopped at a red light, when I see Andre's big blue bus poke it's nose out of another street, ALICE !!!!! I yell, LLLLLOOOOOKKKK!!!!! Almost needing an oxygen mask and choking in my seat. Poor Jeff in the back seat. OMG, Alice screams, shall we follow them. Good idea I said. Luckily she knew the streets pretty well, up a few side streets and there they were 1, 2, 3 blue buses. It was just a huge coincidence a million to one shot. You couldn't plan it if you tried. Anyway we followed them, they followed us. I said, I hope they don't think we are stalking them. No maybe they think we are going to the concert in Tacoma, Seattle which is only a couple of hours from here. Alice has "A.Rieu number plates" on her car and a sticker on the back window. So we escorted them to the U.S. border for about 35km and as they started to veer off to the border, we tooted & waved to No 3, then No 2 and last but not least the lead bus with André. Meanwhile poor old Jeff in the back seat gets my balloon from the concert and waves it at them and they laugh and wave, so Mr Ed finally gets in the act and gets the attention. Hillarious!!!!!

So finally we go off sightseeing and went to a lot of lovely places that we weren't originally going to, if that makes any sense at all. Well folks that was our great adventure, I'll never forget it. Can somebody wake me up now!!!!!! Was I dreaming all of this ???

A big thankyou to Alice for taking great care of us, she is a fantastic person and we have become great friends.

And OH yeah!! Our 35 day trip in the motorhome around the Yukon & Alaska was fantastic as well.

(Above pic - Beate (Germany), Alice (Canada), Edwina (Australia)

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ANDRE RIEU IN OAKLAND CA ~ JUNE : 2009

André Rieu in Oakland CA

June : 2009
By Kay Berman
Photography : Jennifer



Kay writes ...

Is there anything left to say? I think I’ve run out of adjectives. Each concert I see I think is the best one so far…until the next one. What made this one so special is that we (daughter Jennifer and I) met John & Bobbie de Jong for an early dinner prior to the concert and were able to visit with them both before and after the concert. They know many of the orchestra members and singers so they introduced to us some of them.

We met and talked to Franco and Gary before the concert, then waited by the busses after the concert and watched them all file out of the venue, a few at a time. Gary, Franco, Bela, Vincenzo and Mirusia all came over to talk to us and several others waved and said hello. This was very exciting for Jennifer and me since we had never met any of them before. They’re all such lovely, normal, down-to-earth people. We even saw André walk to the bus. He was preoccupied and speaking with someone as he was walking so he didn’t come over to us, but he did look our way, nod and, I think I heard him say hello. I almost missed him. Jennifer had to nudge me saying “Mom…Mom…it’s André!”

The audience was very responsive and enthusiastic, especially after the balloons dropped. Another first for us was sitting in floor seats under the balloons. It was hard to walk while tripping on all the balloons as we made our way to the stage for the encores. The concert was the same as New York and many of the others. Even the same 8 encores were played, but André was a little more animated, jumping up and down and swiveling his hips during Marina (which drew quite a reaction from many of the ladies in front of the stage!). Many people jumping, dancing and waving their arms…left me with a black & blue toe, but it was well worth it.

André has obviously been practicing throwing the Polaroid photos from the stage since in New York there were few that made it past the first row. Last night he threw them all past the first 8 rows. The lady sitting behind me caught one, then handed it to me and wished me a happy birthday. Those of you who have seen this concert know that André asks who has a birthday today, and since I’d seen this before, I raised my hand even though my birthday was over two weeks ago. The nice lady behind me thought it was actually my birthday and wanted me to have the photo. How sweet is that!! I thanked her over and over and asked if she was sure she wanted to do that, but never had the nerve to tell her it really wasn’t my birthday. It’s an excellent photo of him. And his thumbprint is on it J.

Tomorrow is the Fresno concert. Ten of us are meeting for a late lunch before the concert. Will this one be even better??? My feet won’t be touching the ground until long after Maastricht.

All photographs the property of Jennifer

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ANDRE RIEU ~ BLACKTOWN, MAY : 2009

André Rieu at Blacktown : 2009 ...


May : 2009
By Angela Quy
Photographs property of Angela Quy

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE ... OY OY OY

Having blown everyone away on the Sunrise Show with his rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, sung ever so angelically by Mirusia, André arrived at Blacktown to an eagerly awaiting audience of 4,000 people. Some admitted to have been waiting since the early hours of the morning to get a good vantage spot. There were DVDs and CDs given away to a few lucky people in the audience and even a couple of tickets to the Red Carpet event on Sunday.

There were people of all ages, nationalities and walks of life. Some were from nursing homes, escorted by kindly nuns and showed their delight with enthusiastic applause. Even our own Mother Superior was there (although she kicked the "Habit" for the duration of the performance). Pierre and Johann were there at the side of the stage as well as a few representatives from Universal and Ticketek.

The moment we’d been waiting for finally arrived and André appeared on stage to the cheering and clapping from us "groupies". He played magnificently and Mirusia then joined him. André’s camel jacket surfaced for the afternoon’s performance and Mirusia wore a stunning yellow crystal organza number with a beautiful matching yellow pendant and her much photographed silver shoes. She is just gorgeous. We were wonderfully entertained by André and Mirusia in his inimitable style for approximately 15-20 minutes finishing of course, with a really loud Ozzie, Ozzie, Ozzie.

Following the performance, we lined up for autographs from both André and Mirusia. Imagine signing your name 4,000 times without your arm dropping off. I really don’t know how they do it and are going to do it again tomorrow to an even bigger crowd in Melbourne. The event was covered by channels 7 and 9 and a fantastic time was had by all. I’m now really looking forward to Sunday for the Red Carpet event.

Mother Superior wasn't the only one with a "Habit" Today !!!

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