Final Results For Maastricht "Fan Dinner"!

TROS Filming André Rieu in Brazil

André Rieu Special Being Filmed in Brazil by TROS

The TROS (Dutch TV) is currently following André Rieu in Brazil, where the Limburg violinist and his entourage are now (until June 10) performing in Sao Paulo.  

It is the first time that Rieu is conducting his concerts in Brazil. The TROS is producing a kind of real-life episode of the violin virtuoso during this special tour. 

It is all about a single broadcast, which will be aired later this year on TV. The TROS related to RTL Boulevard that a broadcast date and the name of the program are not yet known.

Thanks to John for the Translation! 

Suely's André Rieu Concert in Sao Paulo, Brazil 

São Paulo (Brazil) Suely Kawana – After two weeks of personal excitement, counting down the days and posting texts and videos in the fan pages, the big day finally arrived. The first concert of André Rieu & The Johann Strauss Orchestra in São Paulo, also first in South America, was a huge success!! While entering in Ginásio do Ibirapuera, I remembered all my friends from Europe, South Africa and Mexico who wished to be in my pocket. “It is finally happening!”, I said to myself. “My dream come true.” I saw the piano and commented with the ladies in front of me: “Stephanie’s piano!” 

I arrived very early and could walk around the Ginásio. Surprise! Ruud (trombone), Noël and two more colleagues were walking around too. Also could see some girls with curls in the hair. Two more surprises were waiting for me inside. Bela come in my direction and I say “Hi, Bela!” A man told me Frank also is there. At that moment, I saw Jean-Pierre posing for photos and rushed to him. Great! Toke some photos. The TV crew also interviewed him and Frank. I shake hands with Frank.

Almost full house and the night were warm and nice. “Spring Voices” starts the concert. I was in the third row, right in front of my dear Tanja! So good to hear the sound of the orchestra live! Enthusiastic applauses. I stand up and wave to my friend in the orchestra. She sees me, smile, wave with her head. I am happy! André did his home work and talks to the crowd in Portuguese, English, sometimes Spanish. The audience helps him when he has in trouble and cann’t find the word. To me, it seemed he was talking without electronic help. 

The first laughs come with “The Skaters Waltz”, the third music played, followed by a Italian song new to me sung by the Platin Tenors. Ah, Nessum Dorma!! They sing so beautifully! 

André says how he is happy to play music. Manoe puts the crowd on fire with Hava Naguila and I think to myself: Did André accept my suggestion to play it here because we have a big Jewish community in São Paulo? Then, André made his magic and made snow over our heads. General laugh. 

The orchestra plays Happy Birthday. Oh, I know who is about to step in the stage! Dear Carla and her Doll Aria! Lovely and joyful performance as always and she receives a stand applause. First non-classic music: Ballade pour Adeline played by Stephanie. 

Carla, Carmen and Kimmy plus the Platin Tenor sing “Tanzen möcht' ich” and close the first part of the concert. I knew Kimmy was here but keep the secret to the debut. 

After 15 minutes of interval, the second half starts with that anvil polka and more laugh. Kimmy, the Black Diamond, enchants with the Ave Maria. Vien Blood, the second waltz of the day, makes me dance in my chair and the big hall of a palace is seem in the big screen behind the orchestra. Ah, André announce an Italian song I love: Non Ti Scordar Di Me sung by the tenors. 
André says how music can heal. To my surprise, he tells Manoe had overcome a breast cancer! I don’t know when it was…She receives a warn applause and plays Amazing Grace, that I love!! 

André remember how he was impressed some years ago when he got to know a beautiful soprano with whom he has recorded many DVDs. It is time to Carmen plays her role in Habanera. 

Oh, my wish was fulfilled!! The first notes of “Manhã de Carnaval” are heard and Carla on guitar is followed by Carmen and Kimmy in the stage. I sing together. Love so much this song!

André says he is curious to see the reaction of Brazilian fans to the Blue Danube. Oh, my compatriots are disappointing me….Just a man with his little daughter in his arms and a couple have courage to dance. I incite people near me to go and dance. Slowly some more couples occupies the aisle, thanks God!! And so do I though I am alone. But to my surprise a fellow member of the Brazilian fan page find me and we dance together. We can’t disappoint André. I was in front the stage and more people joined us to take photos. The rain of balloons starts. The soloists and the tenors sing Hallelluja to finish the presentation. I sing together too. Love it. 

But the crowd wants more. Adieu, Adieu. From this point till the end, I can’t remember the sequence. We are all so happy!! Brazil Symphony, Tico-tico no Fubá, Ai Se Eu Te Pego, makes us dance. People are not shy anymore! Tanja enjoy people dancing, I wave to her, she sees me and I blow her a kiss. She smiles even more!! I love her! 

End. But the crowd shouts “Por que parou, parou por quê? Por que parou, parou por quê?” (Why stopped, stopped why?). It is a popular way here to ask Encore. And André and the orchestra plays again the hit of Michel Teló. This time it is really The End. What a pity: it was so good!! Thanks André & Orchestra: the long wait worth! 

But I wanted more and waited the musicians go out. It was almost 1:00 AM. Finally, they came one by one. Unfortunately, I couldn’t talk to André. I asked Jean-Pierre to give my gifts to his father, talked to my friend, gave a warm hug to Carla – oh, she is so cute, so tinny, it is so nice to embrace her! -, told Manoe how happy I was she had overcome cancer – she said she is healthy now – and said a quick “Hi” to Tanja. 

Time to go back home. But my long day is not over yet and you all know why. My friends are waiting for my report. I don't want to disappoint them.

Thank you to Suely for writing this report for all fans everywhere when she was so tired and had to be up to go to work the next day! Plus she had another concert that night ... Thank you Suely! :-)

André Rieu Concerts in Sao Paulo, Brazil!

►Click HERE To Watch The Television Report
►Click HERE For a Slide Show of Photos From The Concert!

We don't know what they're saying in the video, but it's still fun to watch!

André Rieu Hold Press Conference in Brazil

Photos of André at His Press Conference Yesterday

►HERE is the LINK to The Article on The Conference 

(You can run the article through Google Translate, it comes out pretty good.)

André Rieu Performs in Domingao in Brazil Today!

André and ther JSO were on BRAZILIAN TELEVISION today ... May 27, 2012: Presentation of the conductor André Rieu and his orchestra in Domingao Faustao on May 27th where he presented, among other things, the success of "oh if I Caught You." 

 ►Click HERE To See Full Show  ►Click HERE To See Them Play "Have You Been to Pego" 

Only three nights! Until Tuesday!

►See Message and Photo on André's Twitter

First night there and Brazilian Fan Silvana Lucato got her picture with him!

(Picture from The Harmony Parlor on Facebook)

André Rieu in Sao Paulo Brazil

André is Now in Brazil! 

As we all saw on André's Twitter he is in Brazil now!  Suely from Sao Paulo went over to the Venue today and took the two pictures below. They were working on getting the stage set up. This will be his home for 20 Concerts!! Brazil is getting very excited ...

A few fun photos that Petra took at the Hannover Conert

André Rieu is More Energetic Than Ever Before!

André Rieu is More Energetic Than Ever Before!

André Rieu is back ! And it is almost that time again. In a little over a month he will be performing for his 8th year on the Vrijthof in Maastricht. .And he feels fit as a fiddle again. We are clearly talking about the famous Dutch violinist and conductor André Rieu. He is also known as someone who has made classical music accessible to the general public. The popular violinist and his Johann Strauss Orchestra have performed throughout the world and his shows are becoming larger and more exuberant. Meanwhile, more than thirty million CDs and DVD's of André Rieu have been sold worldwide. Each year over 700,000 people visit one of his concerts. That makes him after Madonna, Tina Turner and Britney Spears the best selling touring artist in the world.

Since early 2012, André Rieu has had to cancel many performances due to the flu and fatigue. He explained that his vestibular system was the problem, which is his weak spot. After this difficult period, he now again is ready to face the world! André Rieu has lost as much as 8 kilo's (17.6 lbs), he takes life a little easier and is very active in sports again. Every day he does bodybuilding to keep his body in shape. And because of that he now is in top shape! It is also necessary for him in order to shine for his upcoming concerts. It already has been ten years since André Rieu has really participated in any sport.

In addition to the summer evening concerts on 22, 23, 24 and 26 June on the Vrijthof, André Rieu will join his 60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra and the many soloists for a new show. On Friday, 30 November the maestro will present a gigantic show in the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam. He will also perform a Christmas concert on 22 December in the Ahoy in Rotterdam. Expect a colorful concert full of great music, lots of surprises, balloons, the Platin Tenors and the beautiful sopranos from Brazil and South Africa!

Thanks to John for the Translation ...

  ►Maastricht 2012 To Be Shown in NZ and Australia!

Click on the above link for all the details and locations (Photo by Al Girard)

André Rieu Chapeau Magazine Article

In Top-Shape!

Chapeau May 17, 2012: In the 2010 Christmas edition of Chapeau, I wrote there that, after three months of enforced rest, I had learned something due to the problems with my equilibrium. I would approach things differently; reject many activities and only concentrate on my performances and my music. And, I also wrote there that I would work out again, as I had previously done. Frankly I have to admit that the latter never took place. Despite the fact that I accepted fewer requests and invitations, I never started to exercise. I was kept busy with the preparations of new tours, CD recordings and wonderful specials in Vienna, Amsterdam and Maastricht, and especially the beautiful and very time and energy consuming Christmas Special for ZDF.

And yes, earlier this year things went wrong again with a nasty flu, again dizziness, and again I was totally "done for". Well, that will not make you happy, especially the orchestra and my staff. So I thought: I have to make drastic changes if I want to follow my dream and make music for as long as possible and continue the reality. With exercises and rest I have managed to get the dizziness under control, but this time I have taken the matter much further. It was high time that I really started thinking of myself once more and started listening to my body. What I do on all those tours around the world throughout the year is considered by experts as a top sport. Every international artist can relate to that. The real athletes, like cyclists and soccer players are being coached daily by a team of experts. How much they should exercise, what exactly they should do, how they should take care of their bodies, which foods they should eat, etc. Consequently these athletes are roughly between eighteen and thirty years old. I'm over sixty and have never been coached by anyone, especially not in this occupation. Your body is obviously the basis for everything you do, whether it's playing soccer or the violin. So I said to myself: it's been nice but now is the time for discipline, also in this area. I have obtained a personal trainer who coaches me. He makes a schedule for the entire week, whether it is power lifting that day (yes, really! to strengthen the muscles), running, tennis, breathing exercises, or just a day of not doing anything at all, that’s also allowed. And also which foods I eat. I do not follow a particular complicated diet, but eat very healthy and am aware of what I eat. Wow, did that show results! My condition is rapidly progressing, I feel really very fit and my clothes fit better again, especially my shirts. I've already lost eight kilo’s (17 lbs) and I want to return to my old weight of about 80 kilo’s (176 lbs) at which time I felt fine in the past. 

Unfortunately, all sorts of wild stories were published in national and international news media. Would I ever be returning to the stage? I was attributed to the most serious illnesses. But that was all nonsense, I'm totally back, healthy, and I feel ten years younger through my conditioning and I will now keep that very well on track. My first concert after a three month’s rest period was in Denmark, which turned out to be immediately super; it felt like always, the audience was deliciously enthusiastic, just wonderful. Also the performances afterwards in Germany, Austria and Budapest went fantastic. The Johann Strauss Orchestra has more vitality now than ever before; the musicians are so relieved that we can play again! We are totally ready for our first tour to Brazil. If we are to believe the messages, they are already furiously enthusiastic there! We will play twelve times in the same venue in Sao-Paulo, beginning at the end of May. That’s before the Vrijthof concerts towards the end of June. And then in July we again go back to Brazil for another series of twelve concerts. So that promises to be a big celebration. 

In August we will be on holiday, but now for real! And no one will come and ask me to do a Christmas special or whatever, because I will just say "no!" After our summer holidays we will be making up the cancelled concerts from the beginning of the year, in Germany and France. Towards the end of the year we play in the new "Ziggo Dome" in Amsterdam and the "Ahoy" in Rotterdam, and that pretty much finishes the year. In the meantime we are busy planning tours for Asia, and that looks promising. But whatever happens, from now on I will take enough time for myself to relax and maintain my fitness levels. If this, what I do is considered a top sport, then I have to adjust my lifestyle. I'm very willing to do that, since my music is everything to me! See you on the Vrijthof; I am looking forward to it!

André Rieu 

Thanks to Ineke for sending this to us right away and John for Translating it.

The Parlor on Facebook Hits 500 Members! 

It was exciting as we were nearing our 500th member to join the Harmony Parlor on Facebook.  And what made it even more exciting, here is our 500th member to join! Welcome Suzan!!

Good News From Mirusia! Here's what she wrote on her Facebook today ...

Thank you to all my lovely fans for the encouraging and supportive emails and messages for my upcoming solo tour. It means so much to me to know you are thinking of me and wishing me the best.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what the future has in store for me! :-) Thank you all!

ps. To answer your questions: I am only just taking a break from working with Andre Rieu and the JSO, I hope to return to perform with them again next year. Stay tuned for a new album, news coming soon!

On April 30th, 2012 Celebration of the Queens Birthday in The Netherlands, André appeared on the RTL Boulevard. He looks back at the past months ... ►Watch Interview Here 

UPDATE: For those who cannot get the videos to work ... here is a link where you can read what André said: ►Conversation with André on RTL Interview 

Suzy Hochstenbach posted these pictures on 'The Harmony Parlor
on Facebook' this morning and I wanted to post them here for
those who don't have Facebook. Thanks Suzy! ... Great Photo!

Win VIP Tickets for Maastricht

This Poster in the Limburger is an ad to buy concert tickets for either Amsterdam, Maastricht or Rotterdam.

Top says: "Surprise your Mother with André Rieu tickets", and you have a chance for unique prizes. Order before 13 May and you are automatically enter for a chance of one of the many prizes.

Then if you click on one of the cities it will take you to André's site where you can order tickets.  

The main prize are 2 VIP Vrijthof arrangements. (As published earlier on André's site, staying in the Kruisheren Hotel, two concert tickets in A2, tour through his studio, breakfast in the hotel, a four course dinner and a welcoming gift). 

The other prizes you might win by buying concert tickets are: 9 Rieu hotel arrangements at a value of 200 Euros, 30 travelerscheques of 100 Euros each to be used only with the companies indicated, 50 Gold memberships and the André Rieu Magazine until the supply is exhausted. ►Click HERE For Entry Information

Thanks to John for translating and explaining it for us

André Rieu Fansite Brazil

A Great NEW Fansite All in Portuguese for André's Brazilian Fans!

►www.amigosdeandrerieu.com.br

'André Rieu DVD Under The Stars' 

 Photos from Live in Maastricht V
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André posted 37 photos from Maastricht 5 on his Facebook Page. For those who don't have Facebook, I'm posting a few of them here. Go to André Webpage to order the new DVD now ...

►Click HERE To See Video Of André Marching Into The Vrijthof

Video Taken by Steve Williams

 Ineke Mirusia and Ruud

On April 21st, 2012, Mirusia conducted an intimate performance for the benefit of SNF, a foundation which collects monies for charity. We were in the city of Waalwijk in the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant, and had a very enjoyable afternoon in a cozy café, owned and operated by two elderly sisters named Leenheers. We were served an exclusive high tea with lots of delicious snacks and sweets. Mirusia sang several songs which we had never heard before and she told us something about her career beginning at the age of seventeen. We'd like to share our video with you, to which we have added English subtitles. Ruud and Ineke

►Click HERE To Watch The Video

 

Start Time André Rieu Concert June 23rd One Hour Earlier

André Rieu Productions has decided to change the start time of the concert of 23 June by bringing it forward one hour to 21.00 hours (9 PM). Also the start time for the terrace package arrangements has been moved forward. They will now commence at 18.30 hours (6:30 PM).

Thanks to Benny Geets for this and John translating it.

Strong Return of André Rieu After Burn-out

 

Ten Years Younger

Strong Return of André Rieu After Burn-out 

André Rieu feels more energetic than ever before. The musical leader of the Johann Strauss Orchestra performed this past weekend for the first time after his burn-out two performances in the Danish cities of Odense and Copenhagen. "It was very exciting to be on stage again" he readily admits. "And boy, did I enjoy it!!"

Privé by: Colette Boegman
The Maastricht artist just finished his workout on the treadmill. He also does body building every day and watches his food intake. "For the last three months I have not been sitting in a chair waiting for me to recover, but I have been working extremely hard on my fitness. And the result is; "I am eight kilo’s (17.6 lbs) lighter and feel ten years younger." Mid way January everything all of the sudden became too much for the hardworking André. "At night while in bed, I had terrible problems with dizziness. That was the moment when I realized I could not go on any longer. The entire room was spinning."

The musical leader was being tested and tested. "But no results. Yes, I did receive the shock of my life when during an exam at the doctor’s I stepped on the sale. 97.2 Kilos (213 lbs) I have always been around 80 kilos (176 lbs). When all the doctors assured me there was nothing wrong with my health, I started working on myself.

DUMBBELLS  

He continues: "I had not done any sports in the past ten years. Actually I do not know why. Something like that just sneaks in I can remember when I watched Bram Moszkowicz’s father on our black and white TV. He was there every day in front of the mirror with his dumbbells. That what I want to do too, I then thought. But it actually never happened.

But for the past two and a half months, André has been making time for that. "I already notice the difference. My energy was all gone because I did not work on myself. In my normal way of life I had difficulties making it to the end of the day, let alone having enough energy to be on stage. While I prefer doing just that.

Together with a personal coach André fought his way back. "Every day I make time for myself, move a lot and eat healthier. I am not on a diet, because then I will be back to my previous weight in no time. To adjust your daily meals, that is the secret. And leave the pastries alone. With every review I was offered a piece of pastry. That can no longer be." Now that André looks back upon this annoying but instructive episode, he feels he should have intervened sooner. 

The Christmas special did me in ...

"I never realized I was over-tired. Looking back I think it was the Christmas special that did me in. I had my doubts about that project, but gave in because the record company wanted to introduce me this way to the American audiences. It was extremely hard work, every day until three or four in the morning and then back and forth to America. No, that could never go well." "It turned out to be a very nice special where they covered everything in snow" André thinks. "But I look at it from a different angle. More so since from the very beginning I had my doubts. When they now say: "With this show you will break through in America, "I tell them "Let John Doe have a nice breakthrough. I am indifferent to that and would say "no" more frequently."

PIZZERIA

André received a lot of support from his environment and his fans. "My wife Marjorie said: "Whatever happens, I will always love you. And if we cannot do this anymore, we will just do something else. We will open that pizzeria which we always talked about earlier." "I received a lot of strength from that. And also from all the heartwarming mails and cards from all over the world. Sometimes people tell me: "I have had the same experience. Don’t drink Cola light anymore" André says laughingly. "All information received was well-intentioned."

Shortly Rieu and his company will go to Germany for various shows. These are in preparation for his all important Brazilian tour, which is on the schedule for the end of May. They will be his first concerts in South America. "And in between I want to catch up on the postponed concerts. On 22, 23, 24 and 26 June I will be performing on the Vrijthof in Maastricht and on 30 November in the Ziggo Dome (in Amsterdam) and on 22 December in the Ahoy (in Rotterdam).

"But I watch myself. What happened to me in January will not happen again. I am sure of that. The first 60 years I have been messing around, but the next 60 years will be organized. That will give tranquility." André starts to laugh: "Two weeks ago, my son Pierre also started body building. And now that I feel ten years younger, he of course cannot stay behind."

Thanks to Ineke for the article and John for the Translation ... Photo by Flemming Behrntz

 

Carmen will be performing this June in Maastricht! She will also be touring again with André later this year.

Mirusia will be going solo this July in Australia. But she shall also tour with André every now and then in the future.

It's nice that André supports the sopranos to pursue a career of their own, but they are also welcome to tour with him now and then ... We will miss Mirusia, but wish her all the best! And we look forward to seeing Carmen on tour again.

Mirusia Louwerse Goes Solo!

Mirusia has announced on her Website and on her Facebook of her first solo Australian East Coast Home Tour for 2012. She will be touring from July 5th to July 14th 2012 in Cleveland, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. For more details go to Mirusia's Website at: ►www.mirusia.net

Special guest with her will be: Sam Moran.