International Superstar André Rieu Adds North American Concerts

►International Superstar Andre Rieu Adds North American Concerts

Source: André Rieu Studios

André Rieu on Remaining Healthy

André Rieu on Remaining Healthy

In this episode, you can read a lot about health, primarily on how to remain healthy. I am obviously not an expert in this field, but do have a certain philosophy about it. People ask me at times how I manage to sustain all this, the travelling and the concerts, just name it. Well, I think and hope that somehow it has to do with your own life settings. I am particularly concerned with the future with hope for new and beautiful things. I am constantly working on that. A positive attitude, as far as I am concerned, helps prevent all sorts of illnesses. I have been on stage for thirty years now and have never been ill. I do get my annual flu shot. A slight flu does not bother me, but my problem is there are too many interests at stake for me to be under the weather, trying to sweat out the flu from underneath the blankets for a week.

I also believe it is important to be doing fun things. I am always busy with the future. And also important is that I do not do it for the money, but for the fun of it. I play music with my soul, and that gives me a wonderful feeling, and that I believe, also brings you health. Plus it seems wise to eat and drink in moderation. If you see what all is available on the shelves in the supermarkets, it is just way too much and not all of it healthy. I am not a man about diets, but the use of a little common sense cannot hurt. And if fate still finds you, then it is very important to fight.

I am ambassador to the foundation Health Care of the University hospital Maastricht, which deals mainly with the care of cancer patients. One of my orchestra members had cancer in the past. But did not give up and persevered, overcame the disease and many years later is still playing with us.

“The Birth of Grandchildren Was The Highlight of 2009”

Life is going by incredibly fast. We are already in 2010 and 2009 has just flown by. It was a particular special year due to the birth of my first grandchildren, three in one year. Ivan, Marc’s son, who is now six months old already, looks exactly like Marc when he was a little boy. And Pierre’s twins, Linde and Lieke, are three months already. They do not look alike, but both are beautiful girls. When I am at home, I go and visit them briefly every day.

We have earned quite a few air miles again in 2009. Three trips to the US, Australia, one promotional tour to Brazil, you name it. Of particular interest was also the performance for the British Queen in Blackpool. That was an evening together with Bette Midler and Whoopie Goldberg. In the afternoon we had to rehearse with a “stand-in” Queen. Her Majesty herself was very friendly that evening. She spoke about our “beautiful melodies”. I was able to speak with her on stage. The audience really appreciated that. I think the secret is that with some sincere words and above all a touch of humor, you can break the ice and win over the audience. I know that a Queen in society is a binding factor, and I understand that the institution evolved from an earlier era, the middle ages. I find our Royal Family in the Netherlands to be wonderful, and we consider ourselves lucky since our Queen is such a fantastic human being.

The responses to our performance in England were so positive, that we will be touring there again this year. Touring there before just never came about. England remains an island with its own ways of doing things. But, if you see how they organize such an event, it is done very professionally. South Africa, where we will go in April, is also getting exciting. The initial sales indications are very encouraging. We will be performing in Sun City, Durban and Cape Town. It will add a new continent to our tour list. Again another moment to reflect upon. But we do not have a lot of time for that since there is always a new concert and a tour awaiting us. Of course it is wonderful that the concerts on the Vrijthof are so popular with the public. This next summer we are happy to be in the middle of Maastricht for eight concerts. We have indicated to the city council that we can easily increase that to ten or eleven. That is important to Maastricht and the entire region since people come from near and far, from all corners of the world, especially for these concerts. And I will continue to present them in plain Maastricht’s dialect.

ANDRÉ RIEU In the Dutch Magazine, Chapeau

Thanks to Ineke for sending this and John for his ©Translation

Kimi Performs on Stage in Sun City With André Rieu

Nokrismesi Skota (Kimi) Performs on Stage with André Rieu

She began her musical career in a choral training programme with the Cape Town Opera ten years ago. Thereafter, she registered at the University of Cape Town in 2001, where she studied the art of professional opera singing.

Earlier this year she received a call saying that André Rieu was looking for a female black soprano. Skota told Sowetan: "I immediately sent in my resume and a few recordings for his consideration. After a week or so, André called me and said that he liked my voice and asked if I could fly to Holland for rehearsals".

"Fortunately for me I was available. I spent a week with the orchestra getting to know how they work and learning the music. I continued to rehearse and learn the words to the songs when I arrived home. I also had to practice the dance moves that I had to perform on stage.

"Everyone in the orchestra including André was very supportive and it has been fun working with them," she says."This opportunity has been a blessing in disguise, it has come just at the right time in my career, and I believe that it is going to open many doors."

Skota, who is currently touring with Andre Rieu and his orchestra, introduced local content to the repertoire by singing a traditional lullaby ‘Tula Tula’, the ‘Sarie Marais’ and Vicky Samson’s ‘African Dream’.

André Rieu Sun City South Africa Photos

Sun City South Africa Concert Photos

Here is a link to 27 photos of the Sun City SA Concert. They're small photos, but you can at least get an idea of what the concert was like. ►http://wireimage.com/ItemListings.aspx?igi=429267&nbc1=1

André Rieu USA Pre Sale Concert Tickets

*USA*: The official PBS Pre-Sale is finished and next week Saturday (5/1) the public sale starts for the concerts in Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Diego, LA, San Bernardino, Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa.

There is a two day Pre-Sale starting on 4/29. Stay tuned for details and make sure you get the best seats available. There are plenty of good seats available and tickets start at only $39! (Announcement made today on André's Facebook page)

André Rieu Arrives in South Africa Missing Something

Rieu's Luggage Not in South Africa But in Barcelona

André Rieu and his orchestra arrived in South Africa without dresses and microphones. Upon their arrival these appeared to still be in Barcelona. According to a spokesperson, a load of reserve dresses and microphones will arrive in Johannesburg today. The Maastricht Concert Violinist will conduct his first concert in South Africa on Thursday. Eight more concerts will follow.

Just recently Rieu encountered problems arriving at the place of his destination. Because of the Icelandic ash cloud he was forced to charter an airplane.

Thanks for translating this John ~ we're not the only ones that have lost luggage it seems! ;-)

Note: According to Andre's twitter of 23 April, the dresses and microphones have subsequently arrived.

André Rieu is On His Way To South Africa!

Here is a letter from 'Hunta Live' who is presenting André's Concerts in South Africa written to Ineke today.

Hi Ineke ...

André & his Orchestra are finally on their way to our shores and all is set for a great SA Tour!

We would like to make sure ALL André Rieu fans are aware of the fact that all tour arrangements are still on track. Despite the disruption of air travel in Europe due to Volcanic Ash, the Set and Production crew have already arrived in South Africa and is currently busy building and setting the stage. As for André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra, alternative travel plans were made and they are on their way.

I have attached the most recent *press release on his multi-platinum status in SA (he is getting a Biiiig award on Sunday as he has sold over 300,000 DVDs in SA) – feel free to use information from it.

Lastly, there are still tickets available for all his concerts via Computicket (www.computicket or 083 915 8000) - for those who have not booked yet! Please spread the word!!

Kind Regards, Anneke van der Westhuizen - Hunta Live

*We posted this link the other day, but here again is the Press Release with the New Concerts that have been added to the tour.

►http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=24468

André Rieu The Road To South Africa

ANDRÉ RIEU ON THE ROAD TO SOUTH AFRICA

Troskompas April, 2010: How André Rieu and his orchestra prepare for the South African concerts becomes clear in the new Road Soap which starts on Friday, April 23rd. How does a normal week day take place for this musical group? Troskompas was there during the rehearsals.On a Monday morning Troskompas arrives at the André Rieu studios located in an industrial area in Maastricht. At this hour it is about 9 AM, we don't hear any musical notes yet since the rehearsal time for the orchestra is 9:30 AM. Still it is rather crowded inside, all of the orchestra members are already there. Click on link below to read the full article.

►On The Road To South Africa

Suzan Erens Singing We'll Meet Again ...

Suzan Erens Singing "We'll Meet Again"

Click on Link for Pure Enjoyment ►http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1439803396380

André Rieu Tells of "Travel Plans" To South Africa!

For those who don't have 'The Parlor on Facebook' Ineke just posted this update on André's travel plans to SA.

André Rieu's Next Special on The Island of Mainau

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André Rieu Will Play His Next ZDF Special On The Island of Mainau

April 15, 2010: The island of Mainau is expecting a major star in June. The much acclaimed violinist André Rieu will perform two concerts there. He did not have to be asked twice for this event, as he explained in an interview on the Island of Flowers on Thursday. He was here in 2006 for the first time and it became clear to him very quickly that he wanted to conduct concerts here. ZDF will be recording the concert and it will be aired in October. The title for the performances on the island has already been made public by the Dutchman ... it will be, "Roses From The South."

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ANDRÉ RIEU AND THE JOHANN STRAUSS ORCHESTRA ON THE ISLAND OF MAINAU, "ROSES FROM THE SOUTH"

On June 11th 2010, André Rieu will present (at 21.30) on the island of Mainau in Germany a Romantic Open-Air Summer Concert.This year André Rieu wants to hold his traditional TV Special on the island of Mainau. After performances in the Waldbuehne in Berlin, France, Tuscany, Vienna, New York, Dresden, Heidelberg and Melbourne, the Waltz King has now selected the romantic island of Mainau.

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The most beautiful places on the island will be seen in this TV Special and "Roses From The South", the famous waltz by Johann Strauss will be the theme of the concert. Performers will be, sopranos Mirusia Louwerse and Carmen Monarcha as well as tenors Gary Bennett, Bela Mavrak and Thomas Greuel. The concert program will include Viennese waltzes, melodies from Operettas and Musicals which Rieu has collected for this Eurovision special.

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André Rieu, the Dutch Violinist and Orchestra Leader has so far sold more than 30 million albums. Together with his 50 member strong Johann Strauss Orchestra, he has performed his concert tours on 5 continents. Each year more than 700,000 spectators experience his great concerts, which makes him one of the top ten touring artists. In the U.S. he was crowned the No. 1 Classical Artist, in Australia he received more than 100 times platinum for his music CD's and DVD's.

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The concert on the island of Mainau will be recorded as a special by ZDF (German TV) and will be aired in October in a Eurovision broadcast by ZDF, ORF (Austrian TV) and Swiss television, and subsequently in many other countries throughout the world. An audience of 80 million viewers is anticipated. Afterwards this concert will be made available worldwide on DVD. Wikipedia link: ►http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainau

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Tickets for this concert will go on sale April 24, 2010 and will be exclusively available through ►www.eventim.de or by calling 01805-570070.

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Our thanks to John for his ©Translation, and Ruud and Ineke for sending us this news.

André Rieu New CD "You Raise Me Up"

The New CD Name Changed to "You Raise Me Up"

There has been a name change to André's new CD coming out and the track list is a little different. Our thanks to Ovation and Universal for sending the information along with really nice photo's of the new CD Cover to Jann in Australia.

1. You Raise Me Up 2. Roses from the South 3. The Rose 4. The Gypsy Princess 5. I Dreamed A Dream (from Les Misérables) 6. Feed the birds (from Mary Poppins)7. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (from Mary Poppins) 8. Carnival of Venice 9. Dark Roses (from Gasparone) 10. Il Silenzio 11. Chianti Song 12. There is a song in me 13. Mamma 14. Send in the clowns (from A Little Night Music) 15. Love live forever (from Paganini) 16. Autumn leaves

►http://www.ovationshop.com.au/s.nl/it.A/id.4282/.f

André Rieu Roses From The South CD

This is a large photo of the CD Cover sent to Jann in Australia by Ovation for us to post for our fans to enjoy as the only picture of the CD cover available right now is very small. The photo they sent was about 5 times larger than this, but this is as big as I can post it without the file size being too large for the Parlor. Thanks to Jann and Ovation!!

André Rieu at Classical BRIT Awards 2010

André Rieu Will Debut at Classical BRIT Awards 2010

The success of classical music in 2010 will be marked at the main show on 13 May 2010 as Dutch violinist André Rieu will make his debut appearance on the show. His performances of Strauss Waltzes have earned him the title of the fifth biggest selling artist (of any genre) in the UK this year and made a significant contribution to a staggering 43% increase in sales, in the first quarter of 2010, of classical music year-on-year.

The Classical BRIT Awards will be hosted for the third year running by Myleene Klass and takes place at the Royal Albert Hall on 13 May 2010. (Full article on link below)

►http://www.ilikemusic.com/music_news/Classical_BRIT_Awards_2010-9467/1

André Rieu New CD "Roses From The South"

André Rieu New CD "Roses From The South"

It’s but a short journey from the world of waltzes to the world of operetta – second-cousins one might call them – and André’s new CD brings us those timeless melodies from Kalman’s The Gypsy Princess (a great Mantovani hit) and the gorgeous song Liebe du Himmel auf Erden (You love heaven on earth). And then another short ride to the world of musicals, for two numbers from the Disney musical of the moment – Mary Poppins, and the incredibly moving Send in the Clowns from Sondheim’s A Little Night Music. Not forgetting the song of songs that climbed to the top of the charts worldwide last year: I dreamed a dream.

The album features soprano soloists Australian-born Mirusia Louwerse and Brazilian-born Carmen Monarcha, who make the recording debut as duetists for Send in the clowns. And of course, the delightful Platin Tenors who sing the Chiantilied and the ‘mum’ song of songs, Mamma.

As with every André Rieu CD, it’s beautiful, memorable melodies in lavish arrangements, all with the stamp of Maestro Rieu that make this the perfect album for Mother’s Day – and, in fact, well beyond.

Click on the link for more information, track list and online pre-orders: ►http://www.ovationshop.com.au/s.nl/it.A/id.4282/.f

André Rieu's Choice of Top Ten Classical Recordings

Ten of The Greatest Classical Recordings (and why) Chosen by André Rieu ...The conductor's top ten list includes Bach's Mass In B Minor to Beethovan's Pastoral Symphonies.

5. BACH: MASS IN B MINOR Karl Richter, Munich Bach Orchestra
Is there any music that goes deeper into the human soul? I can't think of any. I was ten years old when I first saw my father conduct this piece in concert. I attended all the rehearsals, then saw the concert in Maastricht. It left such an impression on me. I had a religious education when I was young and I always felt that Bach must have been deeply religious to compose such a piece, otherwise he could not have written it. It's hard to imagine even the most hardened atheist being unmoved by it.

To enjoy this music, you just need to appreciate that you are alive in the universe. I have many other versions at home but the Richter version is the one I always reach for. It's the consummate recording in that it's the most subtle of them all.

I would be tempted to say that this is the piece I would like played at my funeral. But I have decided not to have a funeral. I intend to donate my body to science and have no wish to be buried in a coffin. When I finally go, there will be no funeral ceremony. I want people to have a party. I want them to dance and laugh and drink. While they are doing all that, hopefully they will think about me and remember how my music made people happy. That's all I ask for ... Click on link below to read the full article:

►http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1262552/Ten-greatest-classical-recordings-Andre-Rieu.html

Watch Torvill and Dean Skate to Bolero Live With André Rieu!

Ruud and Ineke have the full video on their site now of

Torvill and Dean skating live to André and the JSO's Bolero!

►www.andrerieu-movies.com

André Rieu UK in September 2010

André Rieu, waltz and all. An eccentric Dutch violinist has wowed thousands across Europe with his Strauss spectacles. The UK is next, he reveals.

April 1, The Times: I am sitting next to the stadium-conquering Dutch violinist André Rieu in a studio canteen. He is wearing a sharp three-piece suit, expensive Italian shoes — and a pink bib, tied around his waist with a ribbon. Rieu is working his way through a large bowl of spaghetti bolognese.

A young clarinettist approaches, dressed in a yellow satin crinoline and stands before him for approval. All the women in Rieu’s Johann Strauss Orchester are supplied with Queen Anne-style Sugarplum Fairy outfits for the stage. There are 27 females in his employ — roughly half the orchestra — but the sheer amount of material they wear gives the impression they vastly outnumber the men. “I like the dress,” he says, hoiking up her bosom an inch or two. “but the tits need to be higher."

Rising and removing his bib, Rieu — the waltz phenomenon, king of easy listening, “Mel Gibson of the fiddle” — cuts a magnetic figure at 6ft 3in, with a quick, flashing smile and a permanently raised eyebrow.

More Radio 2 than Classic FM, more James Last than Nigel Kennedy, the waltz phenomenon sits perfectly within the current revival of the Saturday night variety show, in all its glittery light relief. Last year Rieu outsold Bruce Springsteen and AC/DC on the Billboard Hot Tour rankings; his vast stadium shows have punters from Japan to Johannesburg twirling down the aisles in ecstasy. His new album, Forever Vienna, reached No 2 in the UK pop charts — repeat, the pop charts Schlagermusik, one critic called it — the stuff of bierfests and lederhosen.

But now it’s over here. Last week Rieu appeared on the final of the ITV show Dancing on Ice, playing Ravel’s Bolero for Torville and Dean. And tickets have just gone on sale for Rieu’s hugely ambitious UK tour, which takes in six huge venues and begins at the 20,000 capcity O2 Arena.

He certainly knows how to fill a space. Rieu’s live set comprises a life-sized reproduction of the Viennese Imperial Palace, two ice rinks, two fountains and a ballroom dancefloor. “They always said the Rolling Stones were the biggest show on Earth,” says Rieu’s tour manager Kerstin Cornelis. “But we beat them.” Not since Nigel Kennedy has there been such an ingenious exercise in classical music marketing.

Rieu has just gone platinum in the UK. “He assumed he was platinum anyway,” Cornelis says, whisking me into the Rieu residence in Maastricht — a 16th-century château with a vast Art Deco orangerie. We hurry through the kitchen where staff — gardeners, carpenters — are getting their elevenses; through the dining room where an oil painting of their master hangs on the wall.

“When André was a child he used to come to this castle for his piano lessons,” Cornelis explains. “He made a promise to himself that when he became famous he would come back and buy it.”

Now 60, Rieu has been making music for many years. He started playing the violin at 5 (his father was the conductor of the Maastricht Symphony Orchestra); at 28 he founded the Johann Strauss Orchestra and is credited with something they call “the waltz revival” in the late 1980s. Slowly but surely he cracked the overseas market, by force of his spectacular stage shows and mega-star self-marketing. André Rieu Productions has a yearly turnover of €55 million (£49 million).

“The unique feature is that we do everything ourselves,” says the company’s chief financial officer, Roel van Veggel. “Which means no external promoters, , managers, publicists.” Everything from catering to costume passes under the Rieu nose. “We control it all, in order to create the perfection André wants.”

Rieu is currently building a scale model of Maastricht town centre in time for his annual outdoor concert — “so that if it rains I can just move the town centre inside”, he explains. He openly models himself on Johann Strauss, the original Waltz King, who ran his brand of light music as a flourishing enterprise and acted like a rock star 100 years before rock stars were even thought of. Strauss was contracted to appear in several different Vienna concert halls every night, and he used to hurry between gigs in a hansom cab.

Tonight’s gig in Munich, with an audience of 10,000, is relatively small beer for someone who played to 38,000 one night in Melbourne last year. “It’s hugely encouraging to see core classical repertoire, performed by a professional orchestra, resonate with such a large audience,” says Sam Jackson, the executive producer of Classic FM. “We’re hoping that the resurgence in enthusiasm for Strauss waltzes leads people to discover a wealth of other classical music.”

The touring machine unfolds with clockwork precision: 4pm, soundcheck; 6pm, dinner; 6.30pm, powernap until 7.15pm. This is a man with a mania for punctuality: any audience member late for the second half, slipping back to their seat with a bratwurst or lager, is caught on camera and shown on one of the stage monitors while the brass section improvsises slapstick tunes to accompany the “walk of shame”.

On stage Rieu plays and conducts simultaneously — just as Strauss used to do — and minutes into the waltz-heavy first half a low hum emanates from the crowd as 10,000 heads sway in time. Soon we’re moving away from “mainstream classical” and into pop and show-tunes — Michael Jackson’s Earth Song, Y Viva España and Seventy-Six Trombones. Children from a local school perform a flawless dance routine.

A comical, high-energy show begins to emerge, full of carefully choreographed little farces — a man “vomiting” into someone else’s tuba, another balancing a trombone on his chin — and then, with the auditorium bathed in blue light, it’s time for The Blue Danube. People slip out of their seats to waltz up and down the aisles. Rieu tips an imaginary top hat to the crowd and closes the show with Brahms’s Lullaby, “falling asleep” on his violin against a backdrop of a thousand stars. The stadium is filed with a strange, communal, tingly warmth.

“Can you feel it?” he says on the tour bus after the show as we speed towards the Munich Hilton. I realise that my chair is moving: Rieu is manipulating me, slowly — up and down, back and forth — via a small transmitter in his pocket. “I am controlling you!” he laughs.

On my left is his latest protégée, a 24-year-old Australian soprano called Mirusia Louwerse and, just across the aisle, her predecessor, the 30-year-old Carmen Monarcha from Brazil. Both smile sweetly. It can't be easy for them, far from home, in thrall to the Svengali of the strings day in and day out.

Britain remains the last territory unconquered by the Rieu live show, but all that is about to change. “For André’s audience seeing is believing,” says Mark Wilkinson of Rieu’s recording company, Decca. “These are older consumers, passive music buyers, but when they hear something they like, they have to have it.”

A 20,000-seat venue for a man that most people in the UK haven’t actually heard of yet? He ought to aim a bit higher ... Kate Mossman