André Rieu Plays to Appreciative Crowd in Sydney

Dutch Violinist Andre Rieu Played To an Appreciative Audience at Sydney's ANZ Stadium on Thursday

Dutch violinist André Rieu declared the Rolling Stones would have had nothing on Mozart as he played to 25,000 fans at ANZ Stadium at Sydney's Olympic Park. The performance on Thursday night marked the opening show of the Sydney leg of his Australian tour. Rieu performed a selection of well-known favourites from classical and contemporary music including Strauss' Blue Danube and the theme song from Titanic. But the biggest crowd pleaser was an Australiana medley featuring Bananas In Pyjamas, the theme from Neighbours and Waltzing Matilda, among others. His over the top showmanship has earned the Dutch heartthrob the title of "The King Of Schmalz" but he proved a hit with the audience with members clapping along and getting up to waltz in the aisles. Sydney marks the fourth leg of Rieu's Australian tour which has already played in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. After two more Sydney shows the Rieu circus complete with dancers, ice skaters, soloists and a horse-drawn carriage, roll into Brisbane for his final stop.