Customer Reviews

Andre Rieu in Wonderland (+ Bonus CD)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This concert took place in front of Efteling Theme-Park's Fairy-Tale Castle, in The Netherlands. Original idea with this concert was to go into magical world of fairy-tales (such as Swan Lake, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, the Magic Flute, and many others) with music in a fairy-tale atmosphere with fairy-tale characters. So, if you get used to waltzing-themes of Andre Rieu, this one is not like those ones, but of course, very enjoyable one in its special context.

Concert on DVD has audio options with Dolby 5.1 & 2.0. Andre Rieu speaks in Dutch and subtitles are provided. Video is 16:9 Widescreen. Concert runs about 120mins in 2 parts; and as an extra there is a 25mins 'Behind The Scenes' documentary.

Along with Andre Rieu's original soloists (Suzan Erens, Carmen Monarcha, Carla Maffioletti), there are guest stars namely Mirusia Louwerse, Brian Dickerson, the Platinum Tenors. Some tracks are accompanied by dances, ballets and soloists from the Ballet of the Vienna State Opera, the International Dance Theater, and the Berlin Folk-Music Sparrows.

All of the tracks are wonderful and joyful, but according to me (apart from all solos) highlights of the concert were 'Salome'; 'Sabre Dance'; ballet with 'Swan Lake'; aria from "The Magic Flute (Mozart)" (best aria ever written for bass voice) 'O Isis und Osiris' -soloist:Brian Dickerson; 'Solveig's Song' from "Peter Gynt Suite (Grieg)" -soloist:Mirusia Louwerse; 'Some Day My Prince will Come' sung by 4 beautiful princesses, Ki-Mo-No Trio :) and The Platin Tenors.

And finally track listing as follows:

PART-1
1. Richard Strauss - Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Sunrise
2. Heigh-ho
3. Florentine March
4. Waltz Medley
5. Robert Stolz - Salomé
6. Aram Khachaturian - Gayaneh: Suite no 3 - Sabre dance
7. Air of the Magician
8. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Die Zauberflöte, K 620: O Isis und Osiris
9. George Gershwin - Porgy and Bess: I got plenty o' nuttin
10. Concerto pour une voix
11. Edvard Grieg - Peer Gynt Suite no 2, Op. 55: no 4, Solvejg's Song
12. Lasst den Kopf nicht hängen
13. Mitchell Leigh - Man of La Mancha: The Impossible Dream
14. Cinderella Waltz

PART-2
15. Tara's Theme
16. Second Waltz
17. Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake, Op. 20: no 11, Act 2 - Scène, moderato
18. Carnaval Festival
19. Engelbert Humperdinck - Hänsel und Gretel: Brüderchen, komm, tanz' mit mir
20. Engelbert Humperdinck - Hänsel und Gretel: Abends will ich schlafen gehn "Evening Hymn"
21. Frank Churchill - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Someday my Prince will come
22. Fanfare
23. Old Castle
24. Franz Lehár - Das Land des Lächelns: Im Salon zur blau'n Pagode
25. Harold Arlen - Somewhere over the rainbow
26. This land is mine
27. George David Weiss - What a wonderful world

Variety of opera singers; Return of all four of his woman soloists; extremely well organized with choreograph, singing and music. This one is a keeper for Andre Rieu fans.

Andre Rieu in Wonderland (incl bonus CD)

Tremendous concept well done! It is easier to appreciate his music and his stated purpose (beautiful music to the masses) in all of his other CDs and DVDs than this one; the obscene translation glitch (sub-title)near the end has caused, and will continue to cause, difficult moments for parents who think they should share "Fairy Tales' with their children. The production department in Holland does not find it objectionable and will, therefore, retain it. If this is your first exposure to Andre Rieu, don't be put off by this for he is the best thing to happen to music in a very, very long time.

"Wonderland" got some terrible reviews, but it's a different type of Rieu performance. Filmed in an amusement park, it is focused on a specific genre of music. It's a performance that you need to see on DVD before you listen to the CDs, or you won't understand the context. See it for yourself and be the judge. There is some outstanding music, most notably "Tara's Theme" (from Gone With the Wind), beautifully played on the violin. Other great numbers include an impressive deep bass singer, a fun version of "Second Waltz" and some memorable songs from "Hansel and Gretel".

I thoroughly enjoyed the show when it aired on PBS in 2007, and was pleased enough to pick up the DVD when I happened to see it on amazon.com recently.

A great deal of imagination went into the production, which while it is off the beaten track of his previous concerts - an irksome event to some purist snobs whose reviews I have herein read - is still an excellent view, and stands up on its own.

I could have done without the kidstuff at the end, but overall I recommend it to anyone with a light heart, and an ear for the entertainment Rieu's ensemble is so adept at providing.

The background music on the main menu screen is from "Gone with the Wind" and is absolutely excellent! The opening of the presentation starts with music from "Space Odyssey" and is phenomenal! The reproduction of the audio could not be better! The entire presentation shows the incredible talent, hard work, and endeavors from Andre and his musical group. I highly recommended this DVD! We are very fortunate to have Andre Rieu in our lifetime.

Another excellent addition to my collection of Andre Rieu. This one again includes Andre's wonderful sense of humor mixed with fantastic musical choices for a wonderful evening of music, song, entertainment and pure joy. From the toe tapping beginning to the final applause it is truly a must have addition to anyone's library of music. The bonus features are always worth watching. This one is especially interesting to see what all takes place in setting up the performance. Definitely gives a tremendous insight to how much work and detail Andre does to fine tune all aspects of his great performance. This is a definite MUST SEE and HEAR, you will ENJOY!
S. Firestone

Andre Rieu, besides being an amazing violinist/musician, had the great sense of creating something that goes beyond just music. Andre Rieu in Wonderland is a production unlike any other where every single element is carefully selected, directed, choreographed, rehearsed, produced and everything together provides a show of the highest quality. The orchestra, the singers, the soloists, the dancers and the lighting, together with the venue,take you to this marvelous musical world that is an abolute Wonderland.

Andre Rieu is always excellent in music and this DVD reafirms this. But this time his selection of titles is too much out of his usual. That can be good or not. As long as many people enjoy it, that is good, that's what Andre is about. Although, I can understand the lower ratings some people have given this DVD. I too, believe this isn't measuring up at all to "The Homecoming" or "100 years of Straus". I will confess, if I saw this ahead of time I wouldn't have boughten it. It seems Andre is too concerned with 'theatrics' and is vearing to much from his 'gift' of music. This is too much like as circus show. Can't blame Andre for reaching out on occasion, hopfully he comes back to his 'forte'.

I am an Andre Rieu fan and de Eftleing is my favorite place to get swallowed up in enchantment. Blending the two together provides a magical mix. This video should make all want to visit this park- or attend one of Andre Rieu's concerts.