Andre Rieu

This past weekend we enjoyed an evening out to a concert by Andre Rieu. For those who haven't heard of him, he is a very well known Dutch violinist and conductor of the Johann Strauss Orchestra. You can pick up most of his DVD's and CD's at the Dutch Store around here. This was the 4th time we've been able to see Andre perform in Toronto, Alvar's parents discovered him many years ago, and it's been our annual "family" trip ever since (and it was an evening full of music and fun once again). Andre is not your typical "classical" conductor, he adds a lot of humour throughout the evening - involving his entire orchestra as well. He also brings in special singers/performers as well to add to the concerts. We were treated to hear the Platin Tenors (I love these guys!) and also some beautiful soprano singers as well.

Andre himself

One of the sopranos performing (pretending to be a doll needing to be wound up etc.)

The Platin Tenors

After intermission, the men from the orchestra came back on stage - while the women came a little bit later all dressed up in traditional Dutch outfits (they even did a little dance too)

The balloon drop - wouldn't be a concert without all these balloons falling from the ceiling!

This security guard gave us all a good chuckle. There he sat amongst all these balloons, completely bored and totally unimpressed (that was until a fellow security guard came up behind him and began rubbing a balloon on his head!!)

Can you see the bull between the cello and the drums? (told you it was a unique show!)

Danielle became a surrogate family member for the evening - one of the siblings couldn't make it, so Danielle got to join us at the concert!

My hubby and me :)

This video is what I mean when I say it's not your typical classical concert ;) The poor, poor woman in red (I will never wear red to an Andre concert!)