Andre Rieu offers classical music with a wink

GRAND RAPIDS -- Orchestras and German sausages?
of sausages into the audience.
OK, it wasn't exactly pivotal, but it was another concerts of serious musicianship.

Because when Rieu et al are onstage, it's one big party. Champagne included. And the nearly 5,000 attending Monday's concert ate up Rieu's shtick, witty humor, orchestra gags, balloons, ornate ballroom gowns, dry ice and, more importantly, classical music -- waltzes primarily -- made fun and accessible.

As Battle Creek resident Cathy Hirzel, 58, so aptly said: "If you just went to a symphony, some people might find that boring, but (Andre) makes it interesting."
asleep during performances, or having a clarinet player get a little too rock 'n' roll, and then being bopped over the head with a foam mallet, Rieu knows how to tow the "We just follow Andre. We're groupies.

Do you know what a groupie is?" asked Alice Lycan, 75, of Manassas, Well, if they applaud with a standing ovation for nearly every song, make "Andre 2007" and "No. 1 I think they're the prototype.

16-to-20-year-old age bracket, Lycan replied, "We're young at heart."
Danube Waltz," with six couples gracing the front of the stage and waltzing, as Rieu occasionally stopped the music to tease the fearless couples.
on violin.

He also produced six outstanding vocalists throughout the night: three female, operatic sopranos and "The Three Fantastic Tenors," as Rieu lovingly dubbed them. A moving rendition of "Wishing You Were And while the serious numbers abounded, Rieu performed a stuffy symphony halls and players.
they swayed a little too much to the music.

And a trombonist took an opportunity to pose for the camera, which projected his contorted, histrionic facial expressions on two large But all in all, the night was about music.