Review of Mario's Concert in Detroit

Belle · Joined: Jan 04, 2006 Posts: 50

BRAVO!!!! BRAVO!!!!!! BRAVO!!!!!! The Mario Frangoulis concert in Detroit was FANTASTIC!!!! Dare I say, the BEST concert I‚Äôve ever been to. To begin with we met up with about 12 other friends at a Greek restaurant called the Pegasus Taverna in Greektown. OPA!!! This was yelled many times as flaming cheese was served throughout the restaurant. Then it was off to the beautiful Detroit Opera House.

Click on the link below to see the Opera House.
http://www.motopera.org/doh/history.html

First was an introduction from the Opera house manager and then His Eminence, Nicholas - Metropolitan of Detroit of the Greek Orthodox Church. Mario came out in a black tux (with red lining), white shirt & black bow tie, and began the concert with which I‚Äôm told was the song "En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor". It was absolutely beautiful, so emotional. I‚Äôve never heard the song before but it brought tears to my eyes. After which Mario states that he is very nervous and that ‚Äòhis legs were shaking‚Äô. Then came "Granada". WOW!!! Mario sang Dromoi tou ouranou, Nisia ( I can‚Äôt remember them all ) & some fun Greek songs like "Bessame Mucho" & ‚ÄúCanzone arrabbiata‚Äù and really worked the crowd and got us all clapping. He performed it with so much enthusiasm, dancing around a bit the traditional Greek dance fashion and putting his characteristic big note at the end. He sang about 8 songs before taking a small break while the pianist/composer Thodoris Ikonomou gave us a beautiful display of his immense talent, one song I remember him playing was Magiko vouno. Mario ended the first half with Con te Partiro (Time to Say Goodbye) and receiving a standing ovation. During the intermission we chatted and took pictures. Afterwards Mario had changed into a black shirt and said again how nervous he was and that he we "very grateful to be here tonight" and how Proud he was to be Greek. The next set included such songs as "Vincero, Perdero", "Mack the Knife", "Knights in White Satin", "Adagio", ‚ÄúHere's to the Heroes‚Äù, to name a few. He also did a very heart wrenching rendition of "The Rose". He did SERVERAL encores ending the concert with a special Greek song for His Eminence, "Stopa ke sto xanaleo". WOW!!! That gave me goose bumps. The concert ended at little after 11pm. 3 hour concert with 33 songs!!

Mario came down and sat at a table and signed autographs and took pictures. I did not get my picture taken with Mario as his little manager Matthew kept rushing people along. (Apparently the Opera House was trying to close-up and we were towards the back of the line.) But I did get Mario‚Äôs Autograph on my program and a very nice kiss on both cheeks. He was so kind, standing up for almost every patron to do the euro kiss or shake hands and pose for pictures. What a memory to keep. Lance got to meet Mario too and shook hands, and told him he REALLY enjoyed the concert.

Oh yeah, during the first set, about the third song in, Yiannis, the guy on bass, was having some technical difficulty. As the guy was working to fix it, in between songs, Mario said to the guy, "go ahead, don't let me disturb you", bringing out a laugh from the audience. But it was wonderful after that. There was some interference in the speakers. At one point, there was such a loud shriek from the speakers as Mario was singing and then he stopped, the load sound stopped and then Mario saved the song without missing a beat and continued on very professionally. Found out later that the cord was faulty.

I'm sure I forgot something and I will try to add more details as they come to mind. I will see about getting a picture up as well.

volare · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 6:52 pm Post subject:

Great review Maria!! Razz

Thank you so much.I very much enjoyed reading it. Mario sounds such a lovely man. All those songs and 3 hours. Wow. You certainly got your moneys worth, and to meet him afterwards...with the Euro kisses. Laughing

I can see why you all love him so much. The theatre also looks wonderful..My geography isn't that great Rolling Eyes

...but is it around Wisconsin? Question

PS ...So you enjoyed it then!!!!! Laughing

Has Charlotte come back to Planet Earth yet? Laughing

Baroness of Watson · Joined: Jan 16, 2006 Posts: 36 Location: Caliornia

Thanks for your great review Maria. 33 songs in three hours - WOW! Lucky you to meet the man himself afterwards. I heard from Charlotte that you guys did a lot of eating !!! Sounds good! Very Happy

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Russell is Numero Uno in my book and is definitely the voice of the 21st Century. Russell, you light up my life.

Amoretexfan · Joined: Jan 14, 2006 Posts: 14

Yes we did eat alot,Joyce. To answer your question Volare, Detroit is in the state of Michigan, where they have the american automakers headquarters. Mario has a pitch perfect voice with no tremors or vibrations in his high notes, just pure sound. He sang in five languages, french, english, greek, spainish, and Italian, He speaks fluent english, french, greek, german, and Italian. He is a well educated,well mannered young man. He is as handsome in person as he is in his pictures.
This was my second concert to see Mario, the first being in Tampa Florida in January. What made this concert even better was going with my dear friends, Maria, and her husband Lance, and meeting up with our friend Pat, also from Texas. Texas had hit town and it was never the same again. Razz

Charlotte

Belle · Joined: Jan 04, 2006 Posts: 50

Penny · Joined: Jan 14, 2006 Posts: 92

Maria thanks so much for that great review !! You are so lucky to have seen him in concert......and what an amazing concert by the sound of it......33 songs wow !!!!!! Very Happy

I wish he would come to the UK to do a tour - I don`t think he is being promoted enough over here which is such a shame because he has the most amazing talent.

Trishdownunder · Joined: Jan 11, 2006 Posts: 162

Maria, what a FANTASTIC review. Very Happy

I'm soooooooooooooo happy for you, Lance, Charlotte and Pat. Incredible that Mario can sing 33 songs in a night and he dances pretty good too !!
Trish
xxx
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Music is love in search for a word