PBS' #1 musical star presents a magical new special that grandparents and grandchildren can share together! André Rieu takes viewers to a land of fairies, elves, princesses and knights, where everyone lives happily ev... more »er after! André Rieu In Wonderland features enchanting melodies recorded at Efteling, one of the world s most beautiful fairy-tale theme parks. This musical extravaganza is performed by Rieu, his Johann Strauss Orchestra and choir, fantastic soloists from the Ballet of The Vienna State Opera, The International Dance Theatre, and The Berlin Folk-Music Sparrows. The film features the live staged event and includes cut-aways to scenes from the world s most beloved fairy-tales, complete with famous costumed characters!
The special includes 27 musical numbers culled from the greatest melodies ever written, including "Heigh-Ho!", "The Impossible Dream," "Tara's Theme (Gone With The Wind)," "Some Day My Prince Will Come," "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "What A Wonderful World," and many, many more!
Also included is a 5-track Bonus Audio CD with music from several other great André Rieu specials!
Music from "André Rieu in Wonderland" is also available separately on CD.« less
The Jolly Holiday Bonus DVD is a well done documentary with some great performances!
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Linda C. from STOCKTON, CA Reviewed on 3/14/2014...
Wonderful!
1 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Fairy-Tale Music by Andre Rieu!
Gorky | Planet Earth | 02/04/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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"
Andre Rieu in Wonderland
Linda S. | Winter Haven, FL | 03/03/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Good but.........
R. R. Morris | Easton, Pa USA | 05/24/2008
(2 out of 5 stars)
"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'."
Great idea! Translation glitch!
H. K. Brinker | Twin Falls, ID USA | 05/17/2008
(2 out of 5 stars)
"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."
I LOVE this DVD!
R. Jones | Los Angeles, CA | 07/15/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."