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Anna Dolgikh:
Dear all!
This is my review of the concert in St. Petersburg held on the 7th of
March 2008.
It took me much time to write it, because I had to put all my
emotions into the words. And it wasn't easy this time. I only want
you to know that I really did my best to write it as quick as
possible because I understood that you were waiting for it.
So let me start...
Me and my husband arrived in St. Petersburg on the 7th of March. Then
we met with Daniela from our List and her friend Doris and have spent
wonderful hours together. Around 6 p.m. we also met with Oksana (also
a Chris's fan) and went to the concert hall.
What should I say first of all? I think that it was a difficult
concert for Chris. But I should say that together with the tough
things, there were also good and funny things during the concert! And
below you will find all of them. May be this combination will seem
strange to you. But it is that how I think it really was...
Well, I must say that Chris's concerts in Russia differ from the
concerts in Europe. I compare the Russian concerts with the concert
in Zurich where I have been last year and the concerts recorded on
DVDs that I have seen.
Well, the main difference is in the audience. In the interview
recorded on "The Road To Freedom" DVD Chris says about the different
audiences that he meets. Some audience starts up immediately, some –
sits down and waits. So the second one is about Russia. There is some
specific in the Russian audience... Please understand me in the right
way now!!! I do not mean that absolutely all people in Russia are
passive during the concerts. But you can face with lots of people who
won't be emotional during the concerts. I think it could be connected
with the Russian history, former traditions.
But!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Russia on the 8th of March is celebrated one of
the most important holidays – the Women's Day! I am sure that Chris
and his management know this fact as Chris was speaking about it
during the concert. But I am still wondering do Chris and his
management know the following??? It is such a holiday when men do
everything for their women. They are ready to fly to a Moon but to be
perfect. And of course presents. They are trying to be original. Very
much! I am absolutely sure that not less than 50% of the audience on
this concert were not Chris fans at all and knew only "The Lady in
Red" and that Chris is "a romantic singer". Chris's concert for them
is not more than a romantic celebration of the holiday and an
original present! Not more!!! And let me translate for you the phrase
of the several Internet shops that sold the tickets for the Chris
concerts: "What can be a better present for a woman on the
International Women's Day than a ticket to Chris de Burgh concert?"
Yes, indeed, the Russian audience could be specific. But in this case
the majority of the people came to a concert just to celebrate the
holiday and were simply waiting for the holiday entertainment. They
didn't need anything serious. Just to have a nice romantic
evening. "Borderline", "One world" ... There were no emotions, no
response here. For the first time I saw that Chris sang "I believe
there is a God, but it doesn't mean that my God is greater than
yours" and didn't show with his hand at himself and at the
audience. ... And I have never seen him looking so upset ... And I
almost cried because of it... And my heart was breaking ...
What is about the Russian fans? Of course they were. But I think that
the people in Russia are rather conformal. If the majority of the
people around do not react the other people won't react too, as they
are simply embarrassed. Only several people will allow themselves to
be natural and to show emotions in such an atmosphere.
So for a rather long period of time during the Chris's concert in St.
Petersburg the audience was rather restrained, even cold. I felt that
wasn't easy for Chris ... because his heart was open.
I guess the majority of the people seating close to me and my husband
found us to be rather strange – as we were singing, smiling and
clapping hands starting from the very first song among the not very
emotional people in the hall. But I am sure we were not alone -
Daniela, Doris, and other huge fans were doing the same.
Chris sang many songs from "The Storyman" album. Also he sang "In A
Country Churchyard", "Borderline", "Sailing Away", "Missing
You", "Living In The World", "High On Emotion", "Don't Pay the
Ferryman", "The Leader" trilogy, and others. Chris also sang songs
that were special for St. Petersburg and Russia -
"Leningrad", "Moonlight and Vodka", "Natasha Dance". And there was a
surprise – at the end of the concert Chris sang "The Lady in Red" for
the second time because of the above mentioned Women's Day.
The song "Leningrad" had a very warm response even at the beginning
of the concert. Also the audience liked the song "Moonlight and
Vodka" which is not my favorite one but is very popular in Russia. :)
Chris made a walk around the audience singing "The Lady in Red". And,
yes, the audience was really excited! I guess, such a walk is a new
thing for the Russian audience, so the people liked it very much.
Chris danced with one old lady and took on his arms one little girl!
Everybody was delighted!
I also promised to tell you funny things. So let me switch to the
humor now. :)
Just in the centre of the stage there was a staircase and it was
possible to go upstairs and to present flowers to Chris! So some
girls did that. I have bought the flowers for Chris too. And in the
middle of the concert I decided to present Chris with my flowers.
After he sang "Missing you" I stood up, approached the stage, went
upstairs and intended to present Chris with my flowers ... when
suddenly the lights turned off. It became absolutely dark in the hall
and I could see nothing. I was standing just in front of Chris but I
didn't see him at all. At first I got lost. Absolutely. Then I found
it to be funny.
And now I will tell you two continuations of this story (mine and my
husband's - they are completely different. :) ) So what do I
remember? I remember that rather quickly soft light appeared and I
could see Chris very well. I said some words to Chris, he also said
some words to me. I presented him with my flowers. And then he hugged
me and kissed me in my cheeks (or I kissed him in his cheeks) –
really do not remember because this situation with darkness put me
out of order. :) I gave him a signed envelop. Then he helped me to go
down the stairs...
Now what my husband tells. He says that I walked up the stairs and
then the lights turned off. It lasted for some time. And then the
light turned on. And everybody saw me and Chris hugging and kissing
each other. The audience was excited. My husband says that they
didn't see how I talked with Chris, how I presented him with
flowers... He said that was very funny: to see me walking upstairs –
darkness for some time – and then hugs and kisses. When I imagined
that situation – I laughed for half an hour! But I swear – there was
a soft light! Still do not understand why the audience didn't see
it...
Then there was a dancing part. Chris said that he felt that there
were people in the hall who wanted to come closer to the stage and to
dance and invited us to dance. At first not more than 5-6 people left
their seats. Why? Because some people came only because of the above
mentioned holiday and didn't intend to dance. And those people who
really wanted to dance, I guess, just didn't face with such a
situation before, so they were simply hesitating. Everybody looked at
each other and waited, I guess.
When Chris invited us to dance I came to the place right in front of
the center of the stage. I stopped half a way between the 1st row and
the stage and was absolutely alone in that place. Some people were
also dancing in the corner, very close to the rows, as the securities
didn't let them approach the stage. I didn't see them well, as it was
dark in that corner. And my heart was full of different emotions at
that time. I was scared, I was anxious, because I felt that the
people in the hall were amazed by my action and must have considered
me to be crazy, but at the same time I was very happy because I
wanted to dance and to sing so much and Chris was near me! But I
should be honest – I was really anxious. It was some kind of a trial
for me to dance and sing with an open heart when behind you there are
hesitating people and people with the closed hearts. At that moment,
I guess, I felt that what Chris was feeling during this concert. I
felt lots of pain in my heart.
So there were only 6 or 7 of us dancing not far from the stage. But
then step by step more and more people began approaching the stage.
All went good but at a some moment the securities approached us and
told to leave the place in front of the stage as we prevented other
people from watching the concert. I tried to explain to one of the
guards that it was a tradition and Chris always invited people to
come close to the stage to dance and sing with him. No effect! They
continued pushing us away. At that time I lifted up my eyes and
looked at Chris. He looked very upset and it seemed to me that even
angry because of the securities' actions. The next moment he ran down
the stairs, invited all the people that have been already pushed away
by the securities to come back and said a couple of words to one of
the securities. So they stopped pushing people and took a place near
the stage. So we all fearlessly approached the stage again. Chris
returned on the stage and looked very happy!
The end of the concert differed greatly from its beginning. People
were dancing and singing in front of the stage. My husband says that
the part of the audience was still passive, but I didn't see that, as
I was just in front of the stage and everybody around me was dancing
and singing.
So I should say that Chris put lots of efforts and energy during the
concert to make the audience to be high on emotion, to help people to
open their hearts! It really wasn't easy. It was even tough... Very
tough... But do you know what? After the concerts I was looking at
peoples' faces, looking into their eyes... Many faces were filled
with light! Many eyes were shining! It was seen that the people have
changed, have changed for the better. Something has changed in their
souls during the concert... Changed due to Chris...
Dear Chris, I want to say you - thank you very much! Thank you for
your songs! Thank you that you are among us! Thank you for your
concerts! Thank you for your open heart! Since my teen ages you are
the Teacher for me! You always influenced and are influencing my life
through your songs, through your concerts, through the example you
are showing to us. Just can't find right words to express HOW MUCH I
admire you!
I wish Chris read this review because I saw that he was wondering why
it was so during the concert. And I felt that he was upset. May be
this review could help him to understand what really was going on...
Kind regards,
Anna Dolgikh
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