He’s been called the ‘Maestro for the Masses’ and indeed, judging by the hundreds of André Rieu fans persisting through gridlocked traffic to get into P&J Live last night – the accolade is befitting.
An accident involving an ambulance saw many concert attendees arrive mid-way through the first half – prompting the Dutch violinist to offer chairs from his orchestra to those no doubt desperately praying for anonymity. However, the already seated were treated to ‘an impressive Nessun Dorma’ and ‘an avalanche of snow from the rafters.’
Nothing but fun to see here
If you’d accidentally expected anything of the stiff upper-lipped (snobby) variety though, you’d have been disappointed. For this was a non-stop and masterful banquet of fun and colour. It did the thing that only live music from an orchestra can do – pull at the heart strings, even more impressively than the Disney-princess looking harpist on stage.
Indeed, if his past critique that he turns ‘unsuspecting waltzes and polkas into saccharine fodder’ was welcomed elsewhere -it certainly wasn’t in Aberdeen. Nor in any of the venues across the globe where he’s playing to sold-out concert halls.
No, for the Granite City crowd, a blast of Delilah and Bette Midler’s The Rose in the first half was just as welcome as Puccini’s O Mio Babbino Caro and Verdi’s Libiamo in the second.
Similarly one of the biggest cheers of the night came after Phantom of the Opera’s Think of Me but with no less enthusiasm for Hava Nagila.
Captivating
The Maestro himself, maintaining his trademark raised eyebrow and perfectly presented tails, endeared himself between segments speaking of the history of the music chosen, and to the audience’s delight, the reason he chose them.
‘With my heart,’ he wistfully said,’ entrancing those not yet already captivated by the vast and immersive concave LED backdrop, and an orchestra and choir reminiscent of a glistening line up of colourful Quality Street. For the record – that’s meant as a good thing.
And from the heart of the Maastricht musician came performances by the Berlin Comedian Harmonists – a recreation of their predecessors whose record-breaking sales and performances were cut short by war.
Their Veronica and The Way With Every Sailor wowed.
Even the stage hands – bowing on collecting and delivering mic stands -were no doubt part of the carefully choreographed show. Every camera angle, nod of the head and moment was curated for maximum audience pleasure.
Waltzes and weeping
The main event of every Rieu ‘gig’ is of course the moment when those with the inclination to do so take to the aisles to waltz.
In larger concerts, the cast also showcase their ballgowns and morning suits but in a more intimate setting like P&J live the privilege is all ours.
A mix of children, couples, the spritely and the shoogly found themselves swaying and twirling to the Blue Danube.
The rest of us ever so slightly wet-eyed at the absolute nostalgia of it. If not that, then surely the overwhelming sense of togetherness familiar music and dance, after a pandemic, does for the soul.
I think I must have hay fever – that will be why a seasoned @pressjournal reporter is crying at the Andre Rieu concert and not because people are waltzing in the aisles… 😭❤️ pic.twitter.com/E7woNny9mu
— Lindsay the Bruce (@LLBruce) April 24, 2022
More emotion followed as the first few bars of ‘Wise Men Say Only Fools Rush In…’ kicked in, and yet more when the sopranos began You’ll Never Walk Alone and We’ll Meet Again.
Dressed to the kilt
The best of the night was saved until last.
As balloons fell from the ceiling and a matching backdrop hypnotised. Eagle-eyed guests spotted that the Maestro went missing.
Even the slightly delayed start didn’t stop him keeping his promise to our Entertainment Editor Scott Begbie. Scott asked in August last year what it would take to get him into a kilt.
Recalling the story of the ‘very nice interview’ he breezed onto stage adorned in tartan. Before concluding the performance with Tutti Fruiti, Happy Days Are Here Again and Adieu.
The night ended in raptures, amid champagne popping from the orchestra, and an adoring audience demanding more.
No, not even a hint of a saccharin after-taste here. Just pure unadulterated, much needed joy.
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