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Portland is an inviting city. Their transportation system is very advanced, with Buses, Light Rail, Airport, Bike Lanes … all working together. Portland is a 'Green' city with full-grown trees lining their wide brick sidewalks. Ruth, Jim and I enjoyed our walk along the waterfront, which is filled with unique shops, coffee café's and people who were enjoying the weather Saint Petrus provided for Andre.

We walked two blocks to the bus stop, hopped on the next bus, which we rode (free) to the light rail, which we rode (free) to the Rose Garden. The people of Portland are friendly. Becky started talking with us, and soon it was if we had been friends for a long time. She is a lovely woman from China (Ruth has been to her hometown) who now lives in Portland. This was her first Andre Rieu concert.

After I made my way to my seat, I looked around to see who was there. Ruth and I went to say hello to Dan the Banner Man and his lovely wife Alice. Dan's banners always please the crowd. Marlene offered to sit with us, and finally Gerda arrived. I looked for Kyle & Judy, but could not see them in the crowd of over 5 thousand fans. Soon afterwards, the lights dimmed, anticipation rose, then Andre Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra marched up the aisle. Gerda called out "Marcel" which stopped Marcel as he looked at Gerda. He recognized her from their meeting in Maastricht, and smiled brightly at her, winked, and then continued to the stage.

Andre was in an extra happy mood. As soon as Andre was on stage, a gray hared woman run up to the stage and stood there. We all hoped she would sit down, but she stayed at the stage, staring adoringly at Andre, who asked for a chair, told her to sit, then said ... "There, now you are in the first row". We all laughed and the show went on. Andre toyed with the audience and bantered more than at other concerts I have attended. At one point, Bela's microphone stopped working, so Bela left the stage for a change. Andre looked at the crowd and said "So now what do we do", then he started to whistle us a tune. Soon the entire JSO was whistling. Bela returned and the concert continued.

Andre enjoys asking where the crowd is from, and when he asked if we were all from Portland, only a quiet voice could be heard saying yes. Most of us said No. Andre then asked Ruth where she was from. "Lake Tahoe" Ruth responded. Next, Andre asked me, and I said, "Sacramento and I will see you there in December". The next woman asked said she was from Dundee to which Andre said he thought that sounded like it should be in Australia.

The concert was Fabulous, Fantastic and everything good you would expect from an Andre Rieu concert. The JSO was really at their peak. Carla sang Juliska of Budapest bedecked in her gypsy costume, dancing as she hit high notes. The Plantin Tenors, who are always entertaining, sang Torna a Surriento with such harmony as to give me Goosebumps. Suzan brought the house down and crowd up on their feet with Don't Cry For Me Argentina. Gerda, Ruth and I were the first on our feet, and Suzan gave us a twinkle from her eyes as she bowed in appreciation. A funny moment occurred when Ruth & I were waiving our Andre Rieu scarves Ruth had sewn. From the stage Andre twirled his finger while looking at Ruth, who then hurriedly turned her scarf right side up. (The man misses nothing!)

Our front and center seats gave us a perfect view of the concert. I enjoyed Andre's smile to Roland when he started his "Moulin Rouge" routine. . Noel made us all laugh as he challenged Roland on the anvil. Leon added much to the concert with his accordion. Arthur looked very smart for this performance, Manoe was her radiant self, Boris added his special touch, Teun (who gave his chair to the gray hared lady) was in fine shape and Roger & Rene's talents were enjoyed. I had been looking forward to seeing Frank play the carillons again, as they are one of my favorite sounds, Concerto d’ Aranjuez and a speed contest with Marcel on Xylophone did not disappoint. Stephanie not only played the piano, but also shakes a mean maraches. Tanja and all the cellos brought the low string sounds to us on a cloud. While Cord, Kremi, Jet, Lin and Nadejda all filled in the songs making them lush melodies sent from the heavens.

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I stayed on my feet for America The Beautiful and soon the entire crowd was standing and singing. After many encores and shouts of More, More, More, Andre played the Lullaby song as the lights dimmed.

It was over too soon, leaving us with happy memories of new friends, wonderful music and plans to do it again.

~Webmaster Sally~ October 21, 2006

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