Joe
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Post by Joe on Dec 17, 2008 4:09:02 GMT
Hi all, I've opted for a floor seating section (#5). The seats are near the middle of the arena, about 100 feet from the stage. There is a Ticketmaster location inside a downtown department store, so I was able to pay with cash and save charging my credit card. www.wachoviaarena.com/eventdetails.aspx?eid=310#150 days to go ! |
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Post by andrefan on Jan 22, 2009 13:13:43 GMT
Awesome... But if anyone here likes or LOVES Andre Rieu please join my new website! It has just started so there arent many members yet so please join and help it be a better place! The URL is: andre-rieu.proboards.comI made the URL a clickable link.
Richard |
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Joe
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Supporting Hayley since 2003!
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Post by Joe on Apr 29, 2009 2:30:57 GMT
The 30th Anniversary Tour has started in Canada and the USA. On andrerieu.com, Watch the YouTube video showcasing some of the special events planned for North American fans of Andre Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra. A photo gallery from this week's concerts is now up at the site mentioned above, under "News" . Also, at the 'Boutique" a variety of merchandise is on offer. Looking forward to the concert in Wilkes-Barre, PA on May 15th  Joe |
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Joe
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Supporting Hayley since 2003!
Posts: 6,715
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Post by Joe on May 17, 2009 5:23:48 GMT
Hi all, My family and I really enjoyed André's concert on Friday. I will post a report and photos shortly. I took over 225 photos, but here is one photo to tide you over...  Cheers, Joe |
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Post by dutchjoyce on May 17, 2009 10:46:53 GMT
Hi Joe,
I´m glad to hear you,and your family enjoyed the concert of
`Flying Dutchman`Andre Rieu !!!
Greetz JOYCE
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Steve H
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HWI Management Team / Official Site Photographer & Videographer
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Post by Steve H on May 17, 2009 12:51:44 GMT
. I took over 225 photos, but here is one photo to tide you over... Cheers, Joe Hi Joe, only 225 :2fun: did you run out of memory  Only joking, I look forward to seeing your photo's when you get time to post them! Kind Regards Steve H |
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Joe
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Supporting Hayley since 2003!
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Post by Joe on Jun 3, 2009 1:15:25 GMT
The Wachovia Arena
Wilkes-Barre, PA
presented
André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra
May 15, 2009
Part One of Two
My brother John and I and left work early to have a quick dinner at home first. We allowed about an hour to get to the arena, as we anticipated road construction and delays on parts of Interstate 81. Luckily there we no traffic tie-ups and my family and I got to the arena early, just about 6:30 PM. The doors to the venue were locked, so we joined the queue. Finally we were allowed in about twenty minutes later and our tickets were scanned and verified. I was one of the first to buy a program, where I was happy to find a copy of the set list inserted. My parents went to find out seats whilst my brother and I looked for the souvenir stand. I bought a white scarf for $35 and John bought a t-shirt. An adjacent stand was selling food and beverages. We join our parents who found our seats. Since the Wachovia Arena is primarily an ice hockey rink, we sat near center ice. The rows were lettered in chalk on the concrete floor and the unfolded chairs had under them a bit of slate on which was written the seat number. All four of us were in Floor Section 5 (in the photo below) and sat in the row between the seated couple and the usherette...  There was still a good half-hour until show time, so I took some photos and experimented with the shutter settings of my camera. There were two HUGE TV screens on both sides of the stage. I got the set list out and realized that I didn't know much of the songs!! Finally, the show began in a dramatic fashion. 10... 9... 8... 7... 6... As the countdown started, shown a la the old movie reel way on the TV screens, the arena darkened. Snare drums announced 8 o'clock and André and the musicians marched through the aisles toward the stage! The rest of the orchestra were already on stage performing "Seventy-six Trombones" from the 'Music Man"...  After a stunning overture from “Carmen” and a breath-taking "Intermezzo Sinfonico" or sometimes called "Cavalleria Rusticana”, The three gentlemen known as The Platinum Tenors came to the stage for "Ob blond, ob braun". Their names are Gary Bennett (Australia) , Thomas Greuel (Germany), and Béla Mavrák (Austria)...  Next came an impressive theme from "Exodus" and Franz Lehár's "Gold und Silber". André remarked how the latter song was one of his favorites as a young boy. After an impromptu "Happy Birthday to You" from the orchestra, André mentioned that he had a birthday gift to someone in the audience. Suddenly a large doll was being carried to the front of the stage! Yes, we know her to be Carla Mafioletti..."Lied von Olympia" or "Les Oiseaux Dans La Charmille" (Doll Aria). If you've seen this bit, the doll winds down and must be wound several times!...  Next was the gorgeous "My Heart Will Go On" by James Horner. Such a light song but it expresses so much. The next piece, as André explained, is very popular in Spain. "How brave were the matadors, to have to face that charging bull in that arena." That red cape..." he gasped! He spotted a lady in the audience with red hair and wearing a red dress! This is also a funny part of the act! After a brief exchange, "Sorry, lady, I have to play the song" returned André...  As the orchestra begins to play "España Cañí", there is a commotion at the back of the arena. A pantomime bull marched down the aisle and stopped in front of the stage...  But wow! the bull spotted the red lady and she was off like a racehorse! The lady was seen running to the nearest exit! A funny performance that I loved from other concerts and was glad to see it that day. We then heard two songs from "My Fair Lady" (I could’ve danced all night and With a little bit of luck). I don't have the singer's name but it could have been Kalki Schrijvers and/or Suzan Erens. Photos of them will be in Part Two, which I hope to share with you in the coming days! Joe |
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Joe
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Post by Joe on Jun 23, 2009 3:53:28 GMT
The Wachovia Arena
Wilkes-Barre, PA
presented
André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra
May 15, 2009
Part Two of Two
After the interval, we were treated to a "Klompendans" or Dutch Clog Dance...  Next were two songs called "Musik, Musik" and "Anton Aus Tyrol". The latter song caused the orchestra to break out the beer mugs. Violinist Frank Steijns was taking Andre's picture with a Polaroid camers and soon Andre was spinning the photos into the crowd. The Platinum Tenors returned to the stage with "E Lucevan le stele" from Puccini's opera "Tosca". This was absolutely spectacular, and the trio received a well-deserved standing ovation. Two more of Franz Lehár's pieces were performed next. "Da geh’ich zu Maxim" (The Merry Widow Waltz) and "Wolgalied". A very quick-tempoed "Eljen a Magyar" was next, followed by "An der schonen blauen Donau" AKA The Blue Danube Waltz. There was dancing in the aisles! Quite funny when the orchestra randomly paused, much to the chagrin of the merry walterz! Next was the powerful but lovely "Ode an die Freude" or Ode to Joy. This next song happens to be my personal favorite. It is Strauss' "Radetzky March", and was the first of many encores. And, yes, a cascade of balloons were dropped from the ceiling...  The audience remained on their feet and swayed in time for the "Second Waltz" by Shostakovich. Very nice for the orchestra to perform "America the Beautiful" and Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever". Well done and bravo! Perhaps the most emotional song of the night was played. "Amazing Grace". The clarinetist, Manoe Konings, was playing the bagpipes. How sweet the sound indeed. Now André stated that Beethoven's Fifth Symphony was to be performed. In its entirety. With a stern look on his face, he played the first few bars. Suddenly the scene changed with a Latin flavor, as "The Brasil Symphony" complete with samba whistle was done. But the end of the show was at hand, with Brahms' Lullaby. André, the singers and the members of the orchestra all enjoyed a hearty and rousing applause and cheers from the crowd. Several audience members presented André with flower bouquets and roses. I hope you enjoyed reading this! Joe |
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Joe
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Supporting Hayley since 2003!
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Post by Joe on Sept 17, 2009 0:53:51 GMT
JULY 28, 2009 NEW YORK, July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Andre Rieu is the world's most successful male touring artist of the first half of 2009, according to Billboard magazine. The leading music industry publication has published an overview of the 25 best selling tours and Rieu ranked number 4. With 554,242 tickets sold and $57.4 million in gross revenue, only Madonna, Tina Turner and Britney Spears had more revenues coming in. Rieu, who already clinched the 8th position on Pollstar's 2008 touring chart, is pleased with the news. Says Rieu:"It is fantastic. The last 30 years I worked hard to entertain as many people as possible and show them that classical music can be a lot of fun. That is my mission and the fact that we're so high on the chart shows that we succeed in that."  Joe |
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Post by Richard on Sept 17, 2009 7:45:40 GMT
Don't tell that woman from Gisborne!  Richard  |
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Post by nicola on Feb 7, 2010 22:50:39 GMT
Just wrote this on my Facebook status, but I'm hoping here someone can answer my question!
"Have I missed something big? Why is a classical violinist (André Rieu) #2 in the UK pop album charts? Not saying that he doesn't deserve it, or that it's no good, just, a violinist getting to #2 in the charts is unheard of. Was he featured on a reality show, or something? What was his promotion? HOW DID HE DO IT!?"
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Post by roger on Feb 7, 2010 23:06:52 GMT
Hi Nic,
He was a guest on The Alan Titchmash Show on Thrusday (4th Feb). I don't see why that alone would have got him to No 2 in the pop charts but I guess it helped.
Roger
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Post by nicola on Feb 7, 2010 23:10:05 GMT
Faryl, Rhydian, Camilla and loads of people have beem on that show. Didn't help them much. *confused*
Could it just be word of mouth?
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Feb 8, 2010 0:03:14 GMT
Just wrote this on my Facebook status, but I'm hoping here someone can answer my question! "Have I missed something big? Why is a classical violinist (André Rieu) #2 in the UK pop album charts? Not saying that he doesn't deserve it, or that it's no good, just, a violinist getting to #2 in the charts is unheard of. Was he featured on a reality show, or something? What was his promotion? HOW DID HE DO IT!?" Hi Nicola, I think everyone who follows the pop charts is as surprised at his UK success as the rest of us. I assume that Decca have realised how poorly he's been doing in the UK compared to several other major countries and finally spotted the unrealised potential over here - with a promotional budget to match! Incidentally, he *almost* stopped Alicia Keys from getting to no. 1, there were less than 2,000 copies in it (they've been closely following each other up the chart over the last few weeks). I think I'm correct in saying that Forever Vienna is now the highest placed classical album in the UK since "Titanic" was no. 1 in 1998, and before that The Three Tenors in Concert 1994. I'm delighted that he's doing so well. Dave |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Feb 8, 2010 16:20:06 GMT
Just wrote this on my Facebook status, but I'm hoping here someone can answer my question! HOW DID HE DO IT!?" Hi Nicola, I thought I'd seen something, found it! There was a two page front cover spread in Music Week just before Christmas and Decca only do that if they are going to do heavy promotion for an artist, here is 2nd page from it: A case of a record company getting what it pays for, I guess. The bonus DVD helps! Dave |
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