Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Has anyone ever watched an André Rieu concert?

67 replies

BerfyTigot · 11/09/2023 21:16

The audience look like they're having such a good time.

Presumably they've been drinking all afternoon as there are quite a few years too.

It's on Sky Arts at the moment...

OP posts:

LlynTegid · 12/09/2023 07:34

Not for me, though if you choose to see him in Maastricht, it is a beautiful place.

Pedallleur · 12/09/2023 08:55

Not keen on him but he knows what his audience wants and they seem to love him. Huge orchestra so keeping people employed and takes them around the world. Makes a lot of money from touring. Seems he is never off Sky Arts. Is he not just a newer version of James Last (1970s)

72EasyLessons · 12/09/2023 10:10

Pedallleur · 12/09/2023 08:55

That’s pretty much exactly who he is — another version of James Last, but with kitsch treatment of classical waltzes as his main USP, rather than a big band treatment of popular songs.

But that James Last shtick of the band doing the conga in the audience to ‘Orange Blossom Special’ is pure André Rieu.

I think what I find interesting re AR is that exactly the same repertoire is easily available elsewhere, but people who will go to AR concerts wouldn’t generally go to, say, the Liverpool Phil. playing a Strauss programme.

Franticbutterfly · 12/09/2023 10:24

ColdMeg · 11/09/2023 21:30

I've seen him live. I took my grandmother to see him for Christmas one year.

I have to say it was a wonderful evening (and I'm an ex-raver, so not exactly his target audience). He's a real showman and it is very entertaining. There's a really happy vibe at his concerts. My grandmother loved it.

I'd go again, tbh. It's such a feel-good experience. Everyone was happy and smiling at each other. The atmosphere is really magical. And he plays all the pieces people know and love.

My grandmother has severe dementia now and no longer knows who I am. The Andre Rieu concert is one of the last times we went out together when she knew who she was and who I was. I'm so glad I had that opportunity with her.

I think what Andre Rieu does is really important. I know some sniff at the populism, but he gives a lot of people a lot of joy. And I think that's really special.

I actually think that it's not that much of a jump from electronic dance music to classical, as it's about evoking feelings without the use of a lyric (mostly). I'm also an ex raver and love trance, techno, hard dance, but also classical, more so as the years pass.

MalibuBetty · 12/09/2023 10:32

I just bought a ticket to the live stream of his Christmas show in December at my local cinema. I fancied something festive and a bit different so I hope it's good

mumtotwox · 12/09/2023 10:34

I danced in early labour with my other half whilst watching one of his concerts on tv (had baby 6 hours later) 🥰

It was magical and I would love to see him live!

Lobelia123 · 12/09/2023 10:37

I think hes fabulous and its on my bucket list to go see him live in concert. As someone upstream in the thread said, he produces joy at his concerts, everyone seems to be having a wonderful time, and what could be more wonderful than that. A few sniffy sneery people on the thread but honestly, do they even go to the serious philharmonic orchestras themselves!!! If we dont support and enjoy the music and the people who play all the range of instruments, it will die. This not only keeps it alive, but introduces it to a massive range of people who would not support what the sneerers would deem to be 'proper' classical music. I think Mozart et al would just love to see people enjoying their music like this.

eggandonion · 12/09/2023 11:23

It is similar to pantomime sales tickets helping theatres through the year and mass market book sales keeping bookshops open after Christmas. I live pantomime and I like a pile of light fiction...I also like Shakespeare and the occasional literary thing. But they are a bit less fun.

TastesLikeStrawberriesOnASummerEvening · 12/09/2023 11:25

I saw one of his shows in the cinema a few years back, it was quite bonkers but fun.

anunlikelyseahorse · 12/09/2023 11:32

I took my terminally ill mum to the cinema to watch it. She absolutely loved it, and it was her last trip out, before she died. Very special memories.

Malcol · 14/06/2024 08:50

What is wrong with ladies wearing frilly dresses? What is wrong with him selecting the dresses. He know the 'look'he wants. I will tell my wife if her dresses are not short enough

EmmaGrundyForPM · 14/06/2024 09:06

The first time I ever came across him was when he was in an episode of Neighbours, he appeared in Ramsey Street in full concert apparel and played whilst the Neighbours waltzed round. I'd never heard of him before that.

mollyfolk · 14/06/2024 10:07

I went with my older neighbours, sisters, who were worried about managing the steps on their own. I thought it was wonderful. What a showman. I was captivated throughout and my neighbours were blown away. One of them is quite sick and it was her dream to see him live.

It is old fashioned with the dresses and the cheese but he knows his target audience and he pulls it off flawlessly.

QueenOfTheEntireFuckingUniverse · 14/06/2024 10:12

I've only ever seen him on tv but I love him.

72EasyLessons · 14/06/2024 10:14

Malcol · 14/06/2024 08:50

What is wrong with ladies wearing frilly dresses? What is wrong with him selecting the dresses. He know the 'look'he wants. I will tell my wife if her dresses are not short enough

Meanwhile in 2024…🙄

sparkleowl · 14/06/2024 10:19

Riverlee · 11/09/2023 21:43

Watched it on Sky Arts a while back. Although everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, and people adore them (and I kinda got what the attraction was), something about it seemed a bit odd to me.

I think I find André R a bit egoistical, performing in front of the orchestra. All the women are dressed in brightly coloured outfits and seen to fawn over him.

I understand the shows have a better quality about them than just watching on tv.
Having said that we were visiting DMIL one Christmas and had to sit through one of his shows and only several gasses of mulled wine got us through it.😬I don’t know what it is about him and the shows that puts me on edge.
The long curling hair on him? The smile?
It all had a Stepford Wives vibe about it.If you heard the concert on the radio it would be fine.

sparkleowl · 14/06/2024 10:21

Glasses not gasses, although mulled wine does have a farty effect so…..

Flip

1 2 3

Swipe left for the next trending thread