André Rieu Arrives in Perth

André With Some Perth Fans at Airport

Andre Rieu arrived in Perth today to rapturous greetings from fans and local media all keen to get up close with the Dutch orchestral showman.
Fielding questions with occasional Germanic brusque, he said he was looking forward to Saturday’s concert at Subiaco Oval and that Australia was one of his favourite countries to perform.
Arriving from the Eastern States in the middle of a round of Australian performances, Rieu seemed somewhat annoyed by all the attention after the 4.5 hour flight west. Without a large entourage, he said he always travels without his wife. “That’s a good thing. It’s better that way,” he said.

But despite being nearly overwhelmed at the domestic terminal’s baggage carousal, he made time for a number of the 20-strong Perth Andre Rieu Appreciation Club. At least four members of the club, which sprang up by a group of keen ladies only last September, had already watched Rieu at two Eastern States concerts and plan to see more.
Like any dedicated fans they came with all the favourite merchandise, including a printed Rieu t-shirt worn by club co-ordinator Teresa Epps’ four-year-old grandson. “The first time I heard (Rieu) play, it was amazing. That was it, I haven’t looked back,” Ms Epps said. “It’s the whole presentation of his show. But I also have his DVDs. And it won’t rain on concert night, because I’m sure he’ll have a hand in that from above. “We might seem like crazy 50-year-old groupies, but we just love his music.”

Rieu’s Perth concert had been mired by fewer ticket sales after it was announced his $8 million stage show was to be scaled down which had many Perth fans flying east to see “the real thing”.
Rieu said it was unfortunate, but the design of the Subiaco Oval was the reason. “We decided (to scale it down) because they forgot to build a door in the stadium. So we had to put everything over the top to get it in,” he said. “We decided it would take too long. Of course with everything, it’s cost.”
The concert begins at 7.30pm tomorrow. Tickets are still available from Ticketmaster. PERTH MICHAEL DOCHERTY