Holland’s Got Talent Winner Amira
Realizes Her Dream on The Vrijthof
July 12, 2014
Laurens
Bouvrie: During Friday’s concert, Andre Rieu granted the
audience more time than usual to return to their seats on the Vrijthof after the
intermission. But that was not without good reason. The (wonder) girl from
Nijmegen, Amira Willighagen, made an appearance on-stage. For those who do not
know: the then 9-year-old girl dominated last year’s edition of Holland's Got
Talent which she eventually also won. And she did not
win by performing the song of a contemporary pop star. She had the whole of the
Netherlands entranced with her rendition of Puccini’s O Mio Bambino
Caro. Last night, just after ten,
Amira’s dream of
performing with the world-renowned Maastricht artist came true and will be
repeated on Saturday evening. Once again, just as during her performances on the
talent program, the child star pulled out all the stops with her performance,
which earned her a standing ovation.
►The nightingale from
Gelderland has already had a previous professional meeting with Andre Rieu.
Earlier this year, he invited her to participate in a master class in London.
For the past week, Amira – who created a sensation late last
year with her brilliant performances in Holland’s Got Talent – has been rehearsing at Rieu’s studio in North Amby. Today, just as she
did yesterday, she will stick to performing one aria. According to Radio
Gelderland, the child prodigy will leave for Switzerland
with her family next week. There she will participate in a music festival for
children from all over the world.
Three mayors and a prince.
They have already met once before at the Struys
(the Vogelstruys pub), but
then it was four former mayors and thethen Henri Hochstenbach. Jan Mans was also
present at the opening of Jack Vreeke’s exhibition at the Carnival in 2012,
while he was the acting mayor of Maastricht. Current mayor, Onno Hoes (r),
Philippe Houben (second from right) and Gerd Leers (third from left) were all
invited to Friday evening’s concert. It was Rieu’s way of thanking the city of
Maastricht for its support during 10 years of Vrijthof concerts. To the left of
Gerd Leers is his wife, Genoveef Leers, and Hoes's partner, Albert
Verlinde.
Guus Meeuwis (singer and
song writer), the pride of the province of North Brabant, is also visiting
worldstar Rieu the most famous “Maastrichtenaar” of all
time.
But Rieu did not only have one surprise for the public. He invited - as a
gesture of appreciation to the City of Maastricht – the three mayors during
whose terms of office he not only made a name for himself, but rose to stardom –
a fame which is still intensifying across the world. This year marks the 10th
anniversary of Rieu’s summer performances at the Vrijthof. Philip Houben, Gerd
Leers and Onno Hoes sat together amicably in the first row. During the
intermission they enjoyed a bottle of wine with the now former “stadsprins”,
Henri I, who is also the manager of the café, In den Ouden
Vogelstruys.
We will publish a
comprehensive report on last night’s Rieu concert later
today. Extra attention will be given to the fans of the Maastricht
world-star.
Translation by Entia
1 comment:
Quel talent cette petite Amira! Elle a réalisé son rêve de chanter avec André et quel artiste digne de ce nom, ne rêverait de rencontrer un musicien tel que lui, plein de talent et d'humanité. André est un homme formidable, adoré de tous ses concitoyens maastrichtois comme le prouve la ferveur de tout son public et l'honneur que lui font les dirigeants de la ville, ancien et nouveau. Bravo cher Maestro et bonne continuation pour les concerts à venir. Francine.
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