André Rieu Provides Early Christmas Atmosphere in Arnhem

Monique and Ron at The Arnhem Concert
André Rieu Provides an Early Christmas Atmosphere

Artificial snow and figure skaters in the Gelredome. André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra had Two Sold Out Concerts, Friday and Saturday in the Gelredome Stadium in Arnhem.

So close to Christmas the violinist had Reverand thoughts, "If I were to be Prime Minister, I'd issue every soldier a violin." Although he entered the hall filled with 22,000 attendees from the rear and under loud marching music, he and his Johann Strauss Orchestra quickly had the audience in the Christmas spirit. Almost every one hummed, or sang along to "Silent Night", either in Dutch or German. The Gelredome is just barely across the border for our easterly neighbors. The mood quickly escalated when a large portion of the audience received an avalanche of artificial snow.

This time again, Rieu pulled out all the stops. Singers and vocalist, the trumpet corps "Edelweiss", two ice rinks on which the Viennese ice dancing ensemble "Les Patineurs" swirled around, and even the entire Maastricher Staar entering with burning torches in each member's hand. During the concert, Rieu took time out to play a tribute to the memory of Luciano Pavarotti. Amongst others, his signature song "Nesum Dorma" was presented.

Rieu has just recently returned from an immensely successful tour in Australia, where one of the papers called him the "Liberace of the Violin". By Barenda Grutterink ~ Thank You for the translation John!