André Rieu Summer Concert in Seattle
Our dearest friends, Karin and Karl, joined my husband, Hal and me, Ilona, in this never-to-forget concert in Seattle with the well-known violinist André Rieu and his amazing orchestra. We got together for a nice supper in our apartment in Bellevue first.
I set a festive and inviting table and my Hal served the champagne. I had made a baked Brie with the most delicious D’Affinois, triple cream French cheese and a homemade, melt-in-your mouth crust. On top of the crust, I put a cut out of a music note to get our attention to this upcoming, exciting concert, we were privileged to hear tonight.
It was to be so much more to hear it with our dear beloved friends Karl and Karin. It was a lovely way to spend an evening and it only could have been more romantic if it had been outdoors like it is in the summers in Europe. Like a beautiful summer night with a little cool breeze, sounds at times by little birds visiting, or an owl up in a tree. Getting cool by the second part of the concert and one would feel good, wrapping a large shawl around one’s shoulders or a little jacket, a beautiful cashmere scarf, taking the chill away, but also it would look smart. What keeps one warm too is the rhythm and tempo of Rieu’s music.
But here in the Seattle area we have an opera house, a music hall or sport stadium arena. No beautiful park, sound of water from a fountain or a grassy meadow.
We had our seats up high, the sight of the individual players not too clear, but it was a concert, not an opera or operetta or stage play, one just sits back and enjoys the beautiful music. They had also large screens on both sides of the stage to give the audience a clear view. The concert was entertaining, mesmerizing and gave us all a warm and wonderful feeling.
The Rieu concerts shown on television always attract a lot of viewers, listeners and people with love in their hearts and souls. This was a gift, a wonderful fairytale emotion. It stayed in our hearts during and after the concert, on our way home and a long while into the future. I was still humming the tune of some of the selections of this lovely music the following days.
Bravo! Mr. André Rieu.
What a festive joy-filled occasion! Music will help do that for you! And Hal and Ilona knew just how to orchestrate such an event. Good entertainment, good friends, good food, fine attire, and attention to detail. A good time was had by all. I can just imagine Ilona in a beautiful ball gown waltzing to such music — her eyes shining, a smile upturned, her heart overflowing with grace and gratitude. I wander, was Hal a dancer? If not in actual practice, at least in his heart. Thanks for this lilting story!
It warms my heart as I read this wonderful story about the beautiful concert. Hal and Ilona have such a special place in our hearts, and Karl and I remember well how our dearest friends treated us to a beautiful table and how delicious the D’Affinois baked Brie was, with Ilona’s wonderful pastry crust. Ilona makes such occasions festive and memorable. It was truly a special evening, and a joy to remember.