Can reality ever exceed our expectations and long held dreams? On December 10, 2006, at the magical witching hour of exactly seven p.m. with the entrance of two long lines of musicians wearing smiles, tuxedos, and gorgeous gowns it did!

Over a full year before this enchanted night, three tickets were ordered for a chance to see Andre Rieu and his orchestra in person. At ages 75 - 80, we knew that in all probability this would be our only chance to see the Maestro in person. So off we all went, three elderly souls, teenage butterflies in our tummies, two wheel chairs, one walker and two very large service dogs!

As the magicians (no, not a typo ... they truly are!) came down the aisles to the uniquely decorated stage, more than one did a double take on seeing not one, but two enormous service dogs calmly watching them. Was it possible that both Hunter the Lab and Blueberry the Greyhound had caught our excited expectations? They lay on their rugs, out standing examples of their Handi-Dog training, eyes bright with excitement. Not a peep from either of them during the entire program, not during the polkas, marches, waltzes or even when the blacksmith beat upon the anvil nor when the bells and the xylophone had a mighty duel. Even when the snowflakes fell and the thousands of balloons descended on the more than six thousand (6,000) mostly senior citizens did our boys behave in any but the most exemplary way!

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At intermission a young man, who I now know as Pierre Rieu, Andre's son, brought over his camera and asked to photograph Hunter and Blueberry as he said they had never before had dogs at a concert. This of course added greatly to our enjoyment of a spectacular evening.

The stage setting was beautiful and the lighting and special effects unmatched. As expected the Maestro himself not only expertly set the stage for each and every musical offering, but injected humor into many of the moments, including his pronunciations of Tucson, where in the entire audience loudly corrected him. This rapport with the huge and wildly enthusiastic crowd was as ever, instant and ongoing. There was immediate electricity and total silence as he turned to his orchestra and lifted his violin in the manner of the Viennese masters of old. Yes, not only were all our dreams and hopes totally justified, but by the last note, our cups had over flowed. Surely, A Night To Remember.