Source: www.thomasanders-online.com
December, 1998
Translated by beilie

Thomas Anders took part in the pre-Christmas concert

Thomas emphasizes quite often that he’s very attached to his native Koblenz and he lives there with great pleasure. On October, 1998 one could certain that his words were not just an exaggeration. The Church of the Blessed Virgin (Liebfrauenkirche) in the old part of Koblenz needed the restoration. But, as usual, the church itself didn’t have money for it. That’s why Thomas expressed his readiness to give a charity concert and to transmit all income for the purpose of restoration. The concert was held on December, 20, 1998.

In addition to Thomas there was his band, a string orchestra, Valerie Simmons (a soloist), a church chorus and children’s church chorus. The concert was presented by a famous actor Markus Scherer; he announced the song texts between the songs, inviting people’ inquiries.

The ticket demand was very high, because that concert was very special, but the church was quite small and it couldn’t contain so many guests, that’s why the tickets were sold even for the general morning rehearsal. This rehearsal was relayed to the church square by dynamics. And in the evening people could see the whole concert on a screen. Thomas even could rent the Cologne cathedral for the concert!

As it was predicted, these songs were not usual ones – there were American Christmas songs with jazz and swing melodies. Some aged listeners were not very happy because of English and they leaved the church early. But in true sense it was worth spending money, and they were satisfied by the songs as "Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen" or "Stille Nacht". It was manifold, unforgettable and a very exciting concert; the majority of listeners did not hear or see anything similar before!

Thomas Anders was a MT-star again, that’s why between the rehearsal and the concert and after the concert hundreds of fans attacked the church in order to get the signature or to take a picture of a star. Thomas was deeply appreciated, and the pleased faces of his fans witnessed, that they’ve been in a super-concert in the church!

P.S.: The Church of the Blessed Virgin (Liebfrauenkirche) was restored and newly painted in 2001.

The information about concert is available here.