André Rieu’s concerts are nothing short of magical. His Johann Strauss Orchestra is a feast for the eyes as well as the ears. The men wear sharp suits, while the women dazzle in glamorous, sparkly gowns. The stage itself is a masterpiece, adorned with beautiful drapes, vibrant flowers, and ornate music stands that shine under the lights. Attending one of Rieu’s concerts is like stepping into a dream.
One of his most spectacular shows took place in July 2014, celebrating the tenth anniversary of his legendary concerts at Vrijthof Square in Maastricht, his hometown. Rieu transformed the square into a Venetian wonderland. Imagine a stage designed to look like Venice, complete with replicas of the Doge’s Palace, the Rialto Bridge, a stunning Italian fountain, and performers dressed in colorful Venetian masks. It was a scene straight out of a fairy tale.
That year’s performance was recorded for the CD and DVD Love in Venice. A standout moment was when Rieu played the violin alongside a young soprano, Amira Willighagen, who performed the hauntingly beautiful aria O Mio Babbino Caro by Giacomo Puccini. Her voice was spellbinding, leaving the audience in awe.
Meet Amira Willighagen
If you’re not from Holland, you might not know Amira Willighagen, but her story is incredible. In 2013, at just 9 years old, she wowed the world by winning Holland’s Got Talent with her stunning opera performances. During the competition, she sang O Mio Babbino Caro, Gounod’s Ave Maria, and for the final, Puccini’s Nessun Dorma. Her breathtaking voice brought her instant fame, and soon she was appearing on TV shows not just in the Netherlands, but also in Germany, Argentina, and South Africa—her mother’s home country.
Amira released her debut album, Amira, in March 2014, and it quickly went Gold in just two weeks. This success set the stage for her unforgettable performance with André Rieu in July 2014. Reflecting on this collaboration, Keshari Suthar commented on YouTube, “André Rieu and his fabulous orchestra provide a world-class platform for upcoming singers like Amira. Her singing is singularly soulful, spellbinding, superb, sincere, and sweet.”
Amira didn’t stop there. Her latest video, released on October 20, 2023, is a collaboration with the Ndlovu Youth Choir, finalists from America’s Got Talent in 2019. Together, they performed a song called Amen, which gained 6.8K views in just three days. It’s clear this song is going to be a hit!
More Than Just a Voice
Amira’s connection with the Ndlovu Youth Choir isn’t just about music; it’s deeply personal. Half of the profits from her concerts and music go to her foundation, Stichting Gelukskinders (Lucky Children Foundation). This charity builds and maintains playgrounds in South African townships. The inspiration for this came when 7-year-old Amira visited her grandmother in South Africa. She went outside to play and was shocked to find there were no playgrounds. “The children just ran around throwing stones,” she later recalled.
Determined to help, Amira opened her first playground three years later in Ikageng, a township near Potchefstroom. In 2018, after her parents separated, Amira moved to South Africa with her brother, Fincent, and their mother, Frieda. Since then, she has continued to perform and release music, dividing her time between Europe and South Africa. Her most recent CD, released in September 2023, features a recording of a Christmas concert held in the Netherlands.
A Remarkable Young Talent
At just 19 years old, Amira has already accomplished so much. She’s captured hearts worldwide with her angelic voice, given back through her foundation, and laid the groundwork for a promising career.
One YouTube commenter, Raymond Morgan, beautifully captured the magic of Amira’s performance with André Rieu, saying, “This performance will be marked as one of the greatest ever, taking music and our emotions to new heights. A 10-year-old Dutch-speaking girl singing complex Italian effortlessly from one of the world’s most emotional operatic arias. The final word is Pietà which means Mercy or Pity: and it is heart-breaking to hear such a young girl prolong those notes with such skill, feeling, and intensity—and show it in her eyes—especially as she had just sung O Dio Vorrei Morir—‘O God I should want to die.’ Thank you.”
Want More Amira?
If you’re curious to hear more from this incredible young talent, you can subscribe to her YouTube channel or follow her on Facebook. For even more updates, visit her official website.
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