André Rieu, "Christmas With Grandchildren"

"André Rieu ~ Christmas With His Grandchildren"

André Rieu Three Times an 'Opa' in 2009

The violin virtuoso is performing his Christmas show tonight and tomorrow night in the Gelredome (Arnhem) and in July 2010 will perform again on the Vrijthof in Maastricht.

For the first time André Rieu will celebrate Christmas with his grandchildren. The 60 year old Waltz King became an Opa last year for the first, second and third time.

André laughs, "In between all the feedings we'll have our Christmas dinner. It will be a very cozy Christmas".

André's son Marc became the father of Ivan 5 1/2 month ago and son Pierre in mid October of the twins Lieke and Linde.

"It's nicer to be an Opa than a Father, when it gets to be too busy you say, "Boys, here are your children back". Ha ha. "Ivan is the spitting image of his father Marc. Linde looks like her mother Eefje and Lieke looks exactly like my wife Marjorie".

The musical Opa had to wait awhile before he could embrace the twins. "I was on tour in Australia and I had to remain there for three more weeks. I had a very hard day when they were born, I just wanted to go home, but one minute after the birth I already received a photo on my iPhone, and afterwards, real soon, videos".

Thirty years ago André decided never to perform on Christmas day. "Marjorie and I were sitting around the Christmas tree and I had to perform during a Midnight Mass. I did not like that at all. And that was the last time".

The Maastricht citizen is performing a Christmas warm up this weekend in the Gelredome Stadium in Arnhem. Passionately he tells us, "With amongst others, 400 brass players. It is a fantastic program with a high level for goose bumps. André van Duin will sing "Het Dorp" (The Village). He sang that song previously in the Amsterdam ArenA. As soon as I announced that song, people started to cry. André sings so beautifully, I myself, have to hold back".

What does the violin virtuoso wish for the Netherlands in 2010?
"Keep dreaming in your life, try to make dreams come true. And maintain hope for the future. Hope is life".

For Andre the New Year looks to be very successful. "For my concerts in South Africa 5000 tickets were sold within one hour. That is a record for an artist over there. I like those sort of things. That gives you energy, keeps you going. Australia was also a huge success last year. My next CD will be one for Mother's Day. We'll start recording in March, and will be for the worldwide market: "Songs For My Mum!"

Thanks to Ineke for sending and translating this and Johns help with it. And our Thanks to Hans for sending us the great Photos that went with the article.