After a quick stop at the house to get changed, we set off to Hanny and
Frank's beautiful home. We then went to the park and ride and got the bus into
Maastricht. The bus cost around €6 for 6 of us.
The city centre was starting to get busy with people heading to the concert and
we headed to one of the entrances and waited patiently for the gate to open.
When we were allowed in, what a sight met our eyes. The square was completely
closed off and the restaurants had put out long tables set for dinner. The square
itself was set out with rows of chairs and the stage looked magnificent.
Ellen (Marion's cousin's partner) had done us proud. We were seated right at
the front with a good view of the stage and the big screens.
The 3 course meal was delicious - a tapas type starter, beef or salmon main and
cake as a dessert. The drink was flowing and the atmosphere was great. We were
also very fortunate in that it was a warm and sunny evening. Suddenly a
marching band came along the road by our table and marched through the square
and past our table several times.
Hanny and Frank are Andre veterans and Hanny took Graeme to see where Andre
Rieu was waiting to make his entrance. As 9 o'clock drew near Andre Rieu
and many of his orchestra dressed in their beautiful costumes walked past us
almost within touching distance. Andre welcomed us all to Maastricht and the
concert began. It was truly breathtaking as we were entertained by an array of
fabulous singers and orchestral pieces, including a 17-year old Dutch singer, Emma
Kok, and Gheorge Zamfir, a Romanian, born with no hands, and a magnificent pan
pipe player.
Andre Rieu's orchestra is called the Johann Strauss orchestra so there were
Viennese waltzes danced by over 100 couples several of whom danced right next
to us. It was a magnificent sight.
As the evening wore on, things became more informal with the audience
encouraged to dance including to the Macarena with an appearance by Los del Rio
who originally made the song a huge hit.
Just after midnight then show ended and we said goodbye to our party and made
our way back home.
A nice little anecdote - some time ago, Marion's cousin, Trudy, had car trouble
outside André Rieu's home. He came and assisted and called his garage for help.
Trudy said the garage asked her if the bill should go to Mr Rieu but
understandably she felt she couldn't say yes!
For everyone's videos from the evening, see - All Videos
A link to the videos from this event will be provided later.
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