In November of 2004 we "discovered" Andre Rieu while watching the local PBS TV station. It does seem that this is the way most testimonies of how we found Andre and his orchestra begin - but that's how my husband, Michael and myself first fell in love with music like we had never experienced before. We both have always loved music - just about any kind (except hard rock, rap and extreme country western). Music has always been a part of our lives and our children's lives and now down to the third generation - our grandchildren.

I have always said (with agreement from friends and family) that Michael should be on "Name that Tune" - he can not only name almost any song with sometimes one note, but he also knows who performed the song and the year.
His record  collection is extensive and includes albums 35+ years old - "The Blue Danube", A Johann Strauss Festival with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy being one of many.


We saw the end of a pledge drive with Andre Rieu and JSO so we weren't really exposed completely to what was ahead. What a surprise on Christmas Eve when I was presented with three DVD's Tuscany, Live in Dublin and his Christmas DVD. We were alone this particular Christmas Eve; since I was ill with a very bad cold we could not be present with the rest of the family. I selected Andre's Christmas DVD to watch (being a little low from the circumstances) - what a wonderful Christmas Eve we had - with Andre Rieu telling of his life and Christmas' past, how he and his family celebrated Christmas, the music was so special and I kept thinking I wish I had grown up in a family like his with all the special ways they celebrated - his sharing of how his faith and church fit into his life at Christmas time and I could tell we had "discovered" a special person and a special family. It was indeed, the highlight of our Christmas and led to watching the other DVD's over the holidays and purchasing more. It was at this time we found we could actually see him perform in Dallas on May 1st. We purchased two tickets and counted the days until May 1st.

During the next few months we nearly wore out those DVD's plus I started having a couple of my friends over every Thursday and we would have an "Andre Rieu viewing" with Brie and tea (and o.k. sometimes chocolate).

We started reading the web site and I saw e-mails from Barb Henderson - who lived in my hometown. After e-mailing her and finding we lived only
2 miles away - things just got better and better. She gave us this web site, you had Ruth contact us and there we were on April 30th at the Marsala Restaurant with all the other lovely fans of Andre and JSO. We met many dear people and hope to continue to e-mail, eventually meet again in Dallas for a dinner and another concert!!!

The Dallas concert seemed like a dream - my husband and I (who are not night owls) were shocked when it was over. It passed so quickly - it was everything and more than we had dreamed of. During the following
week we admitted we were even "a little depressed" that we didn't have Andre to look forward to; but we plan on watching and waiting to see where he will be next May and as soon as we know we will purchase the first tickets we can get and spend another year waiting to be thrilled by the music and the magic of Andre Rieu and his orchestra.

And, of course, we had to bring our 5 year old grandson the Strauss CD (he actually plays it all night as he sleeps). Next year when he is 6 we will take him to see Andre Rieu - that is his dream.

After spending time reading letters from "some" of his fans - I believe some of them do miss the point. You can't separate Andre Rieu from all the members of his orchestra or all the members of his family. They all work together to help him make the "magic" that he does and we are especially thankful that his wife, Marjorie shares his great talent with all of us. I would think it would be difficult to travel and be on stage so many months at a time - even though you know everyone involved loves what he/she are doing - it takes great support from families to be able to continue at the pace the JSO and all his organization travel. Thank to all! We are thrilled to have "discovered" such fun with such great music!

Just a side-note - at the Dallas concert Andre referred to "the piney woods of East Texas" - well, that is where I was born and it thrilled me to hear that terminology - where did he hear that??


Andrea Barfoot