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• June 20, 2009 Marilyn Smith wrote:
  Sally, what a magnificent concert. The kids dancing were so cute. I loved the twirl at the end. The singers were so good, as they always are. André and the music were beyond fabulous. Wow!
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• June 20, 2009 Marlene Warren wrote:
  I enjoyed reading about Oakland Sally! The sign for Els was a great idea and it looks like everyone loved it!
  
  So, where did Gary Bennett tell you to park? This is a funny story. He does seem like a very nice man.
  Thanks for the great videos, and pictures. The children were great, it's always so fun watching children enjoying themselves, especially at an André Rieu concert.
  
  It looks like there was a very nice crowd. Thanks for sharing your story with us Sally.
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  1. June 21, 2009 Moderator Jeanine Ann wrote:
     
     GREAT review Sally.  I just loved reading it.  It is so funny about Gary.  So glad you had a wonderful time.  Thanks for sharing.  Hugs
     
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     1. June 21, 2009 Marguerite wrote:
        Hi Sally, Thanks for the beautiful presentation of your concert. Sounds like you had a very eventful evening with much fun & of course THE MOST beautiful music. Thanks for sharing it with us & thanks for all you do for us on this great site. Fondest Regards, Marguerite
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• June 20, 2009 Bill in Arizona wrote:
  Thanks you, for taking the time & trouble to give me such a detailed report of your concert going experience.
  
  I'm always fascinated by the stories you all have of meeting JSO members outside of the concert hall.
  
  Hopefully, I'll have a story sometime of meeting, talking with, & photographing Margriet (cello)
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• June 21, 2009 Shirley wrote:
  What a great concert experience! Love the Gary & Els part, and the brother & sister dance. Isn't it true, each concert is different. This seemed to be an exceptionaly fun time had by all, even Andre & the JSO. Thanks Sally.
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• June 21, 2009 Cathie Enjaian wrote:
  Andre Rieu and your Johann Strauss Orchestra,
  
  I want to thank you for your performance at the Oakland, CA Oracle Arena on June 16, 2009. I would also like to apologize for the reception that you received at this same performance.
  
  I am a new listener of your music as of the last 5 years. I discovered you on public TV. I have always liked classical music but it has never touched my heart and soul like your music does.
  
  This past Christmas, my children gave me my gift of two tickets to your June 16, 2009 concert.
  
  My husband was out of town that week, so my son, Jesse who is 24, went with me to your concert. As we were walking to our car, Jesse said maybe we should buy tickets next year for one of your concerts local to us. Then he smiled and said, you know Mom, if we really want to experience Andre Rieu properly, then we should experience him on his own home ground.
  
  One of these years, that will happen, but right now, financially I need to concentrate on getting Jesse into and through law school.
  
  Thank you for a night I will always remember. A night that Andre Rieu and his orchestra played with all their heart and soul for "me".
  
  Now my apology for the reception you should have had, but did not receive.
  
  I could feel it from the moment you were on stage, the lack of energy, the lack of enthusiasm from the audience.
  
  I truly believe everyone there enjoyed your music. They were just not sensitive enough to let you see it and feel it.
  
  Your depth of love and compassion for your fellow men and women is hard for them to understand. Oakland is a tough town and a lot of lower class people.
  
  Even I had doubts about attending a concert in Oakland, but I was not about to pass up an opportunity to see you and your orchestra live.
  
  Maybe I miss read your actions, but I got the feeling that on several occasions, you Andre, needed to turn around and face your orchestra to draw energy and strength from them, and to give your energy and strength back to your orchestra, so that you could continue to give us a performance of a life time.
  
  The bond that you and your orchestra have is rare, and I am thankful that I was able to get a glimpse of it.
  
  I will see you live in concert again some year, my husband and daughter will be included this time.
  
  Until then, I thank you for sharing your love of music with the world.
  
  
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  1. June 21, 2009 Moderator Jeanine Ann wrote:
     
     Hello Cathie,
     
     
     Thank you for your wonderful post to Andre and his JSO.  It is so great to read about a fan who has really enjoyed Andre's concert.  I have been to ten concerts now and they are all different as far as the audience is concerned.  I have been in Miami where they were just crazy about him and lined up in front of the stage during the encores.  There were so many of us that I happened to be in the front and was literally draped over the flowers at the stage trying to get photos, same thing for the past two years in Reading, Pa. and other venues.  I know Andre draws his energy and his enthusiasm from the audiences.  I just think some are a little more conservative than others.  I have never been to Oakland so I cannot compare.  Andre knows they are fans or they would not be there and he knows some are more demonstrative than others.  He knows who has his heart and it is fans like you and the fans on this site and so many more we do not know. 
     
     I hope you will realize your dream of getting to Andre's home town for a concert.  I also dream of that.  I wish you lots of happiness at your future concerts and best of luck with your son in law school.  Come back soon and visit us.  You may also wish to visit Andre's web site and post in his Guest Book.  Lots of hugs.          www.andrerieu.com
     
     
     
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  2. June 21, 2009 Marlene Warren wrote:
     Thanks for sharing your words and story with us Cathie. I appreciate what
     you are saying about the audience. The fans who are more "lively", more
     outgoing are always wondering why there is not more participation from the
     audience. I feel it is mostly at the beginning of the concerts...but we, as
     fans all know that eventually the happiness and the humor from André and the JSO, the beautiful music will eventually have everyone standing and
     participating joyously in each and every concert. At least that is what I
     have found in the concerts that I've attended.
     I would love that everyone give every song a standing ovation right from the beginning because the music is all exceptional to me. The Tenors, Sopranos, the JSO and of course our fantastic Maestro are all perfect in every way. I would love to say
     "Thank You!!!" after each song.
     
     Why do some people take so long to "get with the program" and become excited
     and happy? Like Jeanine Ann said, some are more conservative than others,
     and I think that André knows that.
     
     By the end of the concert, just like in Oakland, there is a lot of participation and happy people...I think that André and the JSO bring that
     out of the audience in each concert.
     I would be concerned about the person who is still sitting still and frowning at the end of a concert...then, I would say they truly should not be there.
     
     I also think that "new" people who have not seen an André Rieu concert yet, just don't know "how it's done" yet...they soon learn.
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• June 21, 2009 Jill wrote:
  What an enjoyable report Sally. Thank you. Makes me want October to come around even more quickly when it will be my turn.
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• May 31, 2011 Kyle Craft wrote:
  I was there at the concert and I waltzed with my grandmother to the my favorite piece ever. The Blue Danube. I will always love Andre's music.
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