AN EARLY HOLIDAY GIFT

December 7, 2010

A gift from the heart. His talent matched only by his passion for music, Dutch violinist and conductor, André Rieu, created a magical, musical experience for Vancouver fans at Rogers Arena.

Crowned the “Modern King of Waltz”, for his role in revitalizing the genre, Rieu obviously takes great pleasure in sharing his love of the ballroom music with the world.

His showmanship had the crowd captivated, evoking emotions of joy and sorrow, as he crossed seamlessly from serious and sincere to joviality.

Tuesday’s concert offered a mix of classical and modern. A notable pop influence was, “The Earth Song”, a tribute to the late Michael Jackson, sung by Brazilian soprano sensation, Carmen Monarcha.

The son of a conductor, hailing from Maastricht, Rieu grew up on a heavy diet of classical music, from symphonies to chamber music to opera and began to play the violin at age five. The gifted musician is so fluent, his 1667 Straduvarius violin has become an extension of himself.

Founded in 1987 with only 12 members, the Johann Strauss Orchestra has swelled to its current size which fluctuates between 40 and 50 musicians. The precision and harmony of the orchestra is second to none.

Setting the atmosphere, the stage was lined with flowers and backed onto a dark starry night, exuding elegance and glamour. Dressed to the nines, the women in the orchestra donned luxurious ball gowns in a rainbow of rich, glowing colours. Of course what really set the show apart was the music.

The second act opened with a beautiful cello solo, and included a performance of "Ave Maria", with South African singer Kimmy Skota, that sent collective shivers throughout the entire stadium, followed by a nod to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Evita”, featuring the vocals of Australia’s Mirusia Luwerse.

Rieu’s program is constructed to feed off the youthful enthusiasm of his orchestra to charm and enchant the crowd. He encourages the audience to enjoy the music to the fullest, whether by swaying, clapping, or dancing. The rendition of the legendary Johann Strauss’ “Blue Danube” waltz, inspired just such a response as waltzing fans that filled the aisles.

Giving credit where credit is due, Rieu thanked his orchestra for playing with all their heart and soul every night, earning a standing ovation from the crowd.

A true entertainer, the conductor has the stage presence of a rock star and evokes a strong connection with the crowd. Taking the captivated audience seamlessly through laughter, love, and loss, the music was brimming with Rieu’s passion.

A dramatic performance of “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, left the Vancouver crowd cheering for more as they were showered with colourful balloons falling from the rafters.

Living and breathing his music, no where is his passion more evident than on the stage. In the season of generosity, Rieu gifted the Vancouver audience with an incredibly memorable performance.