DON’T  CRY  FOR  ME  ARGENTINA 
MAY  WE   CRY   AS  OUR  ANDRE   RIEU   LEAVES   US?

 

    He came back, the charming, handsome, violinist with his large and talented orchestra from Maastricht, Holland.  Yes, Andre Rieu made a return engagement to the Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie, Texas, in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. They came down two aisles this time, to the tune: Entry of the Gladiators.  On my side, I met eyes with Manoe, Teun, and Marcel. They couldn’t interact with us having to watch the many steps down the aisle.

    Looking and sounding like a full house, the roars of welcome resounded through the theatre.  We had waited a full year for this.  He came, We saw, and He conquered!  Andre was just 15 feet from me, and I think our eyes met occasionally—at least I want to believe that.  He played waltzes, and we were quiet.  When the music changed, we were noisy, waving flags that Barb Henderson had made—for our country and for Holland.  We were wearing large pins made by Ruth Morgan bearing Andre’s picture and the date:  April 24, 2006.  My friend at KERA, Patsy Brown, had put Ruth Morgan’s group together in Section 103, Rows B,  C and D, center stage, so Andre could see we were a fan group.

    Though a little shorter in length and with no Meet and Greet, we enjoyed every moment of the concert especially the new pieces.  Suzan Erens, looking beautiful in a stunning, strapless black gown, raised the rafters with her rendition of Don’t cry for me Argentina.  We saw the Platin tenors for the first time singing alone and with the Golden Sopranos.  The Anvil chorus was sheer fun, while “All Men Shall Be Brothers” was serious and impressive.  There were songs for America, so we waved our flags again.  Sally Chaney had made large prints that spelled out “Dallas Loves Andre,” and we waved those, too.

    An unexpected and pleasant surprise was a chat with Pierre Rieu who signed my program with his name and two Xs.  He is as personable as his Dad.  I had met Pierre last year at the now defunct, Meet and Greet, but this time it was closer and more personal.

    We did not want it to end, and we listened for “We’ll be back.”  Perhaps Andre just forgot to say it.  As we walked out, I was near the President of KERA who told me they had better come back.  And I praised her associate Patsy Brown who, I believe, assigned the seats.  Outside the hall were two large tour buses from distant Texas cities and one black, block-long limousine which let the Ferraras’ (Shirley and Sam) car in which I was riding get into the exiting line. Who could be hiding in that vehicle? Will we ever find out? 

    We had a good look at the man whom we came to see—our gentleman of music—Mr. Andre Rieu.   Next year, Andre?  Please!  

 
Audrey Clough

I want to add a special Thank You to Patsy Brown. Her continued hard work, makes this and other events enjoyable for all KERA PBS Viewers.

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