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Apr 22, 2009

André Rieu Serenades Syracuse NY

André Rieu At Onondaga County War Memorial

April 21, 2009 by Melinda Johnson

André Rieu, violinist and conductor of his Johann Strauss Orchestra, loves to perform. He charmed his audience Monday night at the Onondaga County War Memorial with his bonhomie. From the moment he and his orchestra of over 50 musicians sashayed down the two center aisles of the main floor, Rieu bounced and swayed during the 2 1/2 hour show.

This is more than a show, it's an extravaganza. The men are in tails and the women are in jewel tone formal ball gowns. Rieu, looking very leonine, sports navy blue tails. The musicians sit on three tiers set against a starry night back drop with two massive video projection screens on each side of the stage.

Rieu resembles a ringmaster as he keeps up the tempo of activities which includes five backup female singers, three tenors and three sopranos, who enter and exit throughout the evening. Not all is serious a two-person costumed bull roams the hall and musicians chugging some golden ale or champagne play to the camera.

And then there is André, mugging for the camera, arching an eyebrow, encouraging more applause, joking with the audience. He told one couple who were seated just after the orchestra took the stage, "You are too late. We are from Holland. We are on time."

While his fans did not fill the War Memorial, they did clap and clamor to fill the hall with their enthusiasm. He rewarded them with favorites "My Heart Will Go On," from "Titanic, "Blue Danube," the overture to "Carmen," music from "My Fair Lady," "Amazing Grace" and many more.

When he played "America the Beautiful," the audience sang along and on the second playing, they stood. It was a stirring moment. As the orchestra serenaded the audience with the "Blue Danube," several couples left their seats and waltzed around the floor. One young man, who insisted on treating his mother to better concert seats, was on the dance floor guiding his mother. You had to smile deep inside.

My Rieu education was complete because of my seat mates, Dan and Alice Lycan, of Manassas, Va., are true fans. The retired couple, who have four children, eight grandchildren and a new great grandchild, have traveled the world to hear Rieu and the orchestra perform.
Only the distance prevented them from flying to Australia. But they have been to Austria, Holland, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Toyko to hear the maestro. Along the way, the Lycans have made friends with other Rieu devotees and hosted them in this country. They arrived in Syracuse after seeing the orchestra play in Ottawa this past weekend.

At concert's end, Dan assembled his banner and scooted up front to display messages of "30 years of great concerts," "Syracuse Orange, Andre Rieu," and "I still want Andre Rieu for president."

The audience clamored for more and the boisterous encores finally ended and everyone happily glided into Syracuse's starry night. Photo by ©Al Girard

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Sue for posting this review. I could kick myself for not going to Syracuse - so close to home! If he returns to Syracuse or Rochester next year, I will surely be there!

Eileen

Anonymous said...

Lovely, just lovely.
Thanks Sue for posting this. The only thing that makes me sad is that the venue was not sold out. All credit to Andre and the JSO for giving 'their all'. If I won the lottery I would buy all the excess tickets and give them to people who could not afford to go.
That would be the greatest satisfaction one could wish for.
Adele

Anonymous said...

I grew up outside of Syracuse and when I read the comments in Andre's Guestbook, I like Eileen thought, "I should have gone." I so enjoyed Rochester last year with Eileen and Ardell. Spent time there with relatives while growing up, too. We won't make that mistake next year will we Eileen? Just hope he returns to one of the upstate cities.
Laurie

Anonymous said...

It was outstanding, their performance brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my heart! Thank you so much!!!
:)

Anonymous said...

Well written article!
Karen

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Pierre and André September 30, 2016 Maastricht

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Photo Taken at Mexico City Concert ~ September 2013

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"Hello to all my fans on The Harmony Parlor!"


Soundcheck in Maastricht 2013 (RTL Photo)



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