Annatjie's Dream Comes True in Cape Town

Annatjie's Dream Comes True

It feels as if I'm still dreaming!! I got the most biggest surprise one can get last week. I got 2 complementary tickets to attend the concert of Andre and the JSO in CT on friday 24th!!!!! I could not believe it but is was true and really for me like a dream that came true. 

My son flew down from Johannesburg on friday afternoon to go with me because obviously I could not drive back home late at night alone. (He works for SAA so he can get a flight very easy and on short notice as well!) 

I met him at the airport at 15hoo and we went straight to the venue Grant West Casino, the Grand Arena. We looked around a bit because none of us were there before, then we had supper at the Spur and we waited in the grand Hallway near to the door where we had to enter. It was not very far from the door that leads to the "backstage" and we saw most of the orchestra members passing us, the Platin tenors, (all 3 of them!) the man that played the zither (forgot his name now) and the other 3 that played with the JSO ( the banjo, accordion and the balinka?) and most of the others also : TheTrumpet players, Jet's husband and many of the others. It was just a wonderful experience for me. 

A little while ago I wrote a letter to Jet Gelens because she is such a pretty lady and because she was born in Zimbabwe. I did not expect to get a reply because I knew they are very busy. But then here comes Jet walking leisurely with a cup of coffee she bought somewhere. I stopped her and asked if she would mind if my son takes a picture of us? "No, not at all" she looked at me and then she asked: " you are not perhaps the lady that wrote me a letter?" !!!! I was so exited YES!!!! She said she just said that morning to someone in the orchestra she wonders if the lady who wrote the letter will also attend the concert AND HERE AM I !!!!! 

It was a wonderful experience and I enjoyed every minute of the concert! Our seats were only 6 rows from the front!! So we had a wonderful view of the whole stage. It felt really like a dream that came true. When the balloons fell from the air we all were like children laughing and playing while the orchestra played the Radetzki March. 

When we left I said to my son I'm going to start saving NOW so that I will be able to attend the concert again when they come to SA again sometime. But then he says we must rather go to Maastricht and see his concert there or perhaps some other town in Europe next year DV. So I am saving for a holiday in Europe and a concert of Andre and the JSO sometime in the new year ... Lots of many hours of music to you all ... Regards, Annatjie 

REVIEW: André Rieu in South Africa

Andre Rieu, Maestro for the Masses

A Review of The Aug. 17th Concert in South Africa

►Click HERE To Read The Review

André Rieu Tells of Their Wedding Rings

André Rieu Speaks of His and Marjorie's Wedding Rings In our newspaper (The Telegraaf) of today (Aug. 20, 2012), there was an article about Brad Pitt's and Angelina Jolie's wedding rings of 1.27 million dollars. That's how they got the idea to ask several Dutch Celebrities about their wedding rings ... Ineke  ANDRÉ AND MARJORIE RIEU  Marjorie and I have now been married for 37 years. Our engagement rings were the thinnest we could buy, because we could not afford anything more. In the meantime, our financial situation is much better now, but we still have those same rings. I don't wear the ring on my finger, but it is in my violin case. I only got stuck with my ring on my finger once and a violinist without a finger is not so very handy.

André Rieu August 2012 Concert in Johannesburg!

First André Rieu Concert in Johannesburg, South Africa

The first Johannesburg concert was absolutely terrific. As opposed to Sun City which only seats about 6 000 people, the Dome can seat about 13 000 people. Last night André played to a capacity audience. From the beginning the excitement and anticipation could be felt throughout the dome.

The people came from far and wide and started congregating from 16:00 onwards with many of them visiting the adjacent North Gate Mall to have dinner.

André and the orchestra had spent the entire day rehearsing at the Dome and members of the orchestra mentioned that they spent most of their leisure time also just strolling around the mall. We bumped into Gary and he was very excited about their third visit to South Africa. They had not yet had much time to enjoy the Palazzo Hotel in Sandton (part of Johannesburg), as they had only arrived in South Africa on Thursday morning. However, most of them seemed relaxed and Gary mentioned that they did not suffer much jet lag, as they usually do on longer trips.

The moment arrived and André and the JSO entered from the back of the dome. It reminded me of Maastricht. He was happy and smiling and made contact with quite a few fans as they moved down the aisle. The audience gave them an overwhelming welcome. The repertoire was a very special one, to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the JSO. André mentioned that yesterday was the exact date on which the orchestra had been formed. He made a tongue – in – the cheek comment about being in Johannesburg, of all places, on that date! The audience thought that was hilarious.

Well, André was in absolutely top form last night. It was a joy to see him laughing, joking, smiling and having fun with the audience. This is the best interaction we have seen to date.

It was a very responsive audience too. Of course, Johannesburg loved to have the Soweto Gospel Choir on stage. Kimmy also received a warm welcome back home and standing ovations.

The highlight of the evening was having both Carmen and Carla together in South Africa for the first time. The combination of the three voices together with Kimmy, brought tears to many eyes.

Each item on the programme was truly magnificent.

André and the JSO had the audience off their seats and joining in. During the encores he included Sarie Marais and another local favourite, Suikerbossie. It truly was another memorable evening with the Maestro. Jennifer Anne Fourie

Thank You Jenni for the wonderful photos and report!
(The top picture is Ludwig, Ronel and Jenni)

André Rieu: Home For The Holidays 2012 DVD

►Click HERE To See DVD Cover Full Size and/or Pre-Order

(USA and Canada)

Monica and I got married in the old cathedral in Havana,

it was a beautiful sunny day and we wish everybody as

much happiness as we have ... Bela 

(From Bela's Facebook about an Hour ago) 

Happy "Fifth" Birthday To The Harmony Parlor!

The Harmony Parlor Is Five Years Old Today!

We Opened The Parlor August 7, 2007

I chose this picture that was taken in Maastricht 2009 as it was the only time that all of us were together as a group. You all have seen the "nice" picture of this that we have posted many times. But in getting that "nice" picture it took several pictures to get that perfect one. This is one of the funny ones that shows you what was going on. Laughing, talking, and not paying attention to what camera we were suppose to be looking at. It was a lot of fun with good friends ... 

Sonja who started it all with her Translations and then passed the baton on to me to start the Harmony Parlor when she no longer had the time to keep up with her Translations. John, who is my partner on the Harmony Parlor and does all of our Translations which without, The Parlor would not be what it is. And Ineke and Ruud who run the Movie (video) Fansite from Holland and send us so many articles from Europe that John Translates so that all of us who speak English can read. 

And last, but far from least ... Jann, who ran the Aussie Site for over two years. She and I worked together sharing our news and photos with our two Fansites. Ours from Europe and hers from Australia. 

We have all worked in Harmony to make The Parlor what it is today ... We're a Team of friends that love doing it ... and we have the best fans in the world who love sharing their photos and concert experiences that also is a big part of it all. So ...

HAPPY FIFTH BIRTHDAY TO THE HARMONY PARLOR!!

"Au Revoir" To Our Good Aussie Friend Jann ...

Jann, who was such a big part of working with me on the Harmony Parlor in it's earlier days with her Aussie Fansite has passed away today. She was a very special friend that will be missed by so many.  

Through her Fansite, she started the André Rieu Friendship Groups in Australia, something she was very proud of. Because of her, so many André Fans have made lifelong friendships. And because of her, so many of us got to know each other through her Aussie Fansite. She made the world a little smaller ... 

She had to give up doing the Aussie site when her husband became ill. She lost Murray last October. And now today due to a car accident while vacationing in France, we have lost her. She was a good friend, and I for one will miss her terribly, as I know many of you will  ... Good Bye Dear Friend ..............  Snuggles xxx 

The Below Message is From Jann's Daughter Rebecca 

I am sorry I can not speak much right now. But it should be known that through organ donarship, Mum (Jann) has managed to save 4 other peoples lives. Even in her death her generosity has been able to touch others ...

Jeanette Caroline "Moonbeam" Treyvaud

22/03/1951 - 04/08/2012

Alice Goes To See André Rieu at The Cinema!

André Brought Maastricht to Canada!

We post a lot of Concert Reports, but with all the Cinema Shows, we have never had someone report on their day at the Cinema with friends and all ... Alice just went to two shows in Canada and offered to take pictures and write about her experience. Thanks Alice, a fun report as always!

►Click HERE To Read About Alice's Two Shows With Friends and Family!