By Evan O’Gorman
It is hard to accurately describe the atmosphere that lingered in the air of the Arena on that crisp December night in Dublin, but I shall do my best.
André Rieu & The Johann Strauss Orchestra gripped the senses of some 10,000 spectators and guided them through an emotional roller-coaster of tranquillity.
Rieu & JS Orchestra are not like stereotypical orchestras.
They do not dress solely in dark, but favour an elegant yet colourful wardrobe. The men wore evening tail suits while the ladies fashioned stunning ball gowns in an array of colours, adding a fluorescent visual element to the beauty of their sound.
Sitting in my tiered seat at the edge of the aisle, roughly 20 degrees from the centre of the auditorium, I squinted my eyes and gazed ahead.
I could not help notice how much the Dutch orchestra resembled the famous tulip fields of The Netherlands.
“Good evening, Dublin!” Cried Rieu.
The Arena erupted with cheer.
Rieu and his orchestra of 50 talented musicians from every continent around the world exhilarated their already captured audience.
The auditorium flooded with smiles, laughter, tears and dance. Never before in my life had I felt this way. It was like the world extended merely to the four walls of the building, and we were all that existed.
The music was our life; the orchestra was our faith; Rieu was our god.
Rieu was not alone at the front of the stage. Joining him during several pieces was a selection of the most stunning voices that will ever grace your ears.
Among this pool of talent were The Platin Tenors. The operatic trio consist of Tasmanian Gary Bennett, Hungarian Bela Mavrak and Thomas Greuel from Germany.
A similar trio graced the stage. They consisted of the beautiful Mirusia Louwerse from Australia, Chilean extraordinaire Laura Engel and the stunning Ukrainian – Anna Reker.
Joining the pair of trios was the Berlin Comedian Harmonists. A group of six men who are committed to recreating the repertoire of the original Comedian Harmonists of the late 1920s.
Their hilarious combination of comedy and vocal talent sparked gallons of tears of laughter that night.
Moments before the interval, something extraordinary happened.
Despite the majestic performances that caressed the stage that night, there was one that stood out from all.
Every cell, every atom, every grain; all liberated by one Laura Engel.
The Chilean – Dutch soprano stole the show from her first breath to her last note. Engel’s voice was truly awe inspiring. It was like being hypnotised. Never before had I seen an audience as quiet; as still. Had it not been for her overwhelming vocal ability, you could have heard a pin drop from the far side of the Arena.
What André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra are doing to music is the carbon copy of what Engel did that night. They are a light shining in darkness. Together with their global audience, they are sneaking up on today’s music industry – a lost society plagued by divas and hair models, those who’s ambitions aim no higher than a slot on ‘I’m a Celebrity’ or a cocaine scandal in the bathrooms of a crusty nightclub in Bradford.
It is without a doubt Rieu’s quest to change the perception of classical music and opera.
What I witnessed that night was not simply a sensational performance.
I witnessed a musical revolution.
Evan O'Gorman 