Violin Superstar Weighs In On Australian Music Academy

Dutch Violinist Andre Rieu with members of the Australian National Academy of Music. He has spoken out against funding cuts to the institution.

The Age Melbourne - November 12, 2008

The pressure is growing on federal Arts Minister Peter Garrett to reverse his decision to stop funding the Australian National Academy of Music at the end of the year. Support for the previously low-profile institution came from unexpected places yesterday, including touring Dutch superstar violinist Andre Rieu. Mr Garrett's decision was also criticised in the Senate and the upper house of the Victorian Parliament.Rieu invited more than 20 academy students to attend rehearsals of his show, World Stadium Tour: A Romantic Vienna Night at Docklands stadium."It is a gesture of support," he said. "Music is extremely important. My music is for the millions, which is different from these kids. But their music making is at an extremely high level and should be sustained."His endorsement of the academy follows a similar gesture this week by the director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Richard Tognetti, who invited academy musicians to join his players for encores at two packed subscriber concerts at Hamer Hall.