André Rieu

We’re in Maastricht for yet another concert of André Rieu and his Strauss orchestra.
What a great day we had!!

We’re here with the six of us. Annemarie and myself, Joke and Peter and this time friends Hans and Anniek joined as well. Lots of fun and laughter from the moment we all met at “Coffeelovers” near the parking here in Maastricht.

I set some goals for myself on forehand, and all of them have come true!!
1) A high five with the Maestro himself (yes! and recorded on video as well)
2) A repost on Instagram by soprano Micaëla Oeste.
3) A group photo with Wietse (crew member of Rieu; it's becoming a tradition now according to Wietse)
4) A meet and greet with Micaëla (what a bonus)

The last one was extra special.
As for Micaëla: Since her first appearence on stage 2021 we had some chat-contact on Instagram after she reposted my Insta-story.
Over the years we talked about several things, and it feels as if a sort of tiny friendship has grown. Not on a daily basis, but every now and then.

So, after the concert we all walked back to our hotel and sat down on a terrace for a drink on the Onze Lieve Vrouwe Square in front of our hotel. Drinks and 'bitterballen' were ordered when I suddenly noticed that right next to us some members of the JS orchestra were having drinks as well, including Micaëla and her boyfriend Dave.
What to do? Interrupting would be rude, but I couldn't do nothing.
So after a while, when a few of her group left, I decided to go up to her and introduce myself as the person whose posts she had been reposting on Instagram. At first she looked somewhat expectant, but then we shook hands and she bursted into laughter. “Oh, it's you!. So nice to finally meet you.” She then started explaining to her group who I was.
What a moment. Here I was being introduced to the JS Orchestra by their leading soprano. Who would have thought that would even be possible.
Of course all of this didn't take long; I went back to my table soon.
And that was it. I'm curious who will be the first one to re-start our instagram-chat again.

Anyway, back to the concert: this years concert was as great as expected and hoped, what a party!
On top of it all the Netherlands won the soccer match against Turkey during the concert, making the party complete. Rieu interrupted the show twice to celebrate that by playing typical Dutch well known soccer songs. (Olé olé olé and Hup Holland Hup)

After all the recent grief and sadness it was so nice to be with friends and family having the most perfect time together!
Of course during the concert I had some difficult emotional moments when  my mom and dad's favorite melodies were played. Joke, my sister had exactly the same experience and we both knew not to look at each other at those moments.


More photos in the extra section of course.