André Rieu Appears on "Flikken Maastricht"

UPDATE André On "Flikken Maastricht" NOW With English Subtitles!

On Friday January 29th, 2010 the TROS television showed the episode of "Flikken Maastricht" (Cops of Maastricht) in which André plays a prominent guest role. In the pictures you see him with Floris Wolfs (played by Victor Reinier) and Eva van Dongen (Angela Schijf).

During and after the Maastricht 2009 concert shots were made by the crew of the program on the Vrijthof and at André's castle. A child disappears, a stolen car stopped and in a bag traces of explosives, a mad fan with dangerous plans, the whole police force of Maastricht on alert, a lady rushing onto the square and disappears in the crowd. And is Bruno Gabriels, André's body guard (and Johan's nephew ;-) really that secure"? The bomb explodes and André is taking care of Eva van Dongen ... Watch the video without subtitles. Tomorrow afternoon we hope to post the version with them.

UPDATE: Thanks to Ineke, Ruud and John, there are now ENGLISH SUBTITLES with the 40 minute show. Click on link to watch! ►André on Flikken January 2010

See the post below this one for a story about the Flikken surprise.

André Rieu's Photo on Flikken

Photo of André by Sonja ~ Atlantic City 2007

As I was watching the video I couldn't believe my eyes when they showed the picture of André to the bad guys! I recognized the picture right away, it is a photo that Sonja took of André when we went to Atlantic City in 2007! It is the photo she put on Wikipedia and they must have gotten it from there.

Your photo is a "Star" Sonja! :)

André Rieu Now #4 On The UK Pop Charts!

André Rieu Adds To a String of Successes

London ~ Friday January 29, 2010 ... The Dutch violinist, André Rieu may not be a household name among British teenagers, but he has taken the pop world by storm. He was at number six again in the pop music charts at the beginnnig of the week and since moved up in the midweek charts to number four, above Lady Gaga, and quickly closing in on the top three ~ Alicia Keys, Paolo Nutini and Florence and the Machine.

It would be a triumph for the crossover appeal of classical music if he made the No 1 slot this weekend. The last violinist to get to number three in the pop charts was Nigel Kennedy with The Four Seasons ~ over 20 years ago! Rieu's feat may be all the greater as an unknown violinist with an album of purely Strauss waltzes. We wait with baited breath until Sunday.

Dutch Violinist André Rieu Honored

.CHARLEMAGNE PRIZE FOR VIOLINIST ANDRÉ RIEU
Due To His Merits Towards European Music

de Limburger January 29, 2010 André Rieu will receive the Charlemagne prize this year in the city of Aachen. The Maastricht stand alone violinist and leader of the Johann Strauss Orchestra will receive the "Medaille Charlemagne pour les médias européens" (Charlemagne Medal of The European Media), as part of the traditional Karl's prize. The prestigious Karls Medal will be awarded to André on the sixth of May in the Coronation Hall of the Aachen City Hall, by Mayor Marcel Phillip.

Rieu receives the Honors due to his significant contributions to the European Culture and Music. According to the jury, Rieu and his Orchestra reached a public of millions. With his music, he also connects residents of several countries.

Rieu is delighted with the German Honor bestowed upon him. "This Award is for us a sign that we are on the right track to bring Classical Music to the attention of a large audience. I am now 60 years old, but I feel I will live to 120. So we can continue on like this for quite a while".

André Rieu is the second Dutchman to receive this prestigious Cultural Award. The first "Medaille Charlemagne" went to author Cees Nooteboom. This is the Tenth time this Award has been handed out. Thanks to John for the Translation!

André Rieu's Tour To South Africa Set To Break All Records

André Rieu's Tour To South Africa Set To Break All Records

Hunta Entertainment Jan. 28, 2010 ~ Due to the overwhelming response from South African fans, more shows had to be added to the tour. A 3rd show for Cape Town will be added to the Grand West show dates to include an evening performance on the 3rd of May. *Tickets for this performance will go on sale Friday, 29 January 2010 via Computicket.

However, it was Sun City's latest addition of a 4th show that broke all previous records.

"We expected his first two opening concerts to sell out, which did within the launch week, but what was less expected, but hoped for, was a third concert at Superbowl and that happened too. Astoundingly, although one learns not be surprised by anything associated with André Rieu and his 110 strong entourage, we had to add a 4th concert at Sun City, something no other international artist has ever achieved over one weekend at Sun City", says Rod Walker, Head of Entertainment at Sun International.

It is not just in South Africa that the chart-topping, Dutch violinist and conductor is making waves. Known as the King of Waltz, André performs in sold-out venues all over the world, and was the Number One Selling male performer of 2009. His album "Forever Vienna" is currently sitting in the Top 10 UK Album Chart, something unheard of for a recording of traditional waltzes. He has sold more than 30 million albums globally, and has broken all classical concert records, packing stadiums with over 700,000 adoring fans each year.

André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra will kick off their South African tour at the Sun City Super Bowl on the 24th of April 2010 and will be staging shows in Durban and Cape Town.

Renowned for the uplifting and festive atmosphere at his concerts that may annoy some purists (he encourages his audience to get out of their seats and waltz in the aisles), his ability to make classical music accessible and fun has earned the 60-year-old the unlikely status as Classical Sex Symbol.

"André Rieu is one of the entertainment world's truly unique performers and we are constantly amazed at the local attraction this extraordinary artist is generating. We are currently in uncharted territory, but one thing is for sure, André Rieu's tour to South Africa will be an entertainment experience never witnessed in this country before", says Sam Hendrikse, CEO of Hunta Live.

*Bookings through Computicket: (www.computicket.com)

André Rieu Maastricht lll and I Lost My Heart in Heidelberg

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Now Available in 'NTSC' Format
André Rieu Official Newsletter January 27, 2010

I LOST MY HEART IN HEIDELBERG Attend a fabulous open-air concert with a romantic castle as a setting. Let André take you along on his musical tour of the town, a boat trip with the orchestra on the river Neckar, and many surprises ►order now >

LIVE IN MAASTRICHT lll André is back on the Vrijthof Square for a traditional summer evening concert in his home town. Enjoy the unique performances by André's soloists, party with the crowd, get goose pimples when you hear André's Tribute to Michael Jackson and the spectacular playing of no less than 450 brass players! ►order now >
This Newsletter came in email this morning and I'm posting it here for those who may not have received it.

André Rieu Enjoys Surprise UK Success

Dutch Violin Star André Rieu Enjoys Surprise UK Success

Monday January 25, 2010 UK by Steve Hargrave

He's bigger than Coldplay and Britney Spears, and now finally Dutch violin star André Rieu has waltzed his way to success on these shores.

The 60 year old is a massive star elsewhere in the world, selling out stadiums to become the sixth highest grossing live act of 2009 beating Britney, Chris Martin and co, Elton John and Tina Turner, but in the UK he's a virtual unknown.

Now though, Rieu is sitting in the top 10 of the UK album chart with "Forever Vienna", an impressive feat for a recording of traditional waltzes. "There's a big audience out there who loves our music," Rieu told Sky News as he toasted his new success."I think they were a little bit forgotten by the record companies. I think classical music has so many beautiful things to show the people, and that's what I do."

Rieu's attempts to put the showbiz back into classical may annoy some purists, but you can't deny the size of his ambitions. Last year his huge stadium tour included two ice-skating rinks, a ballroom, flying angels, bagpipes and a horse-drawn carriage. The stage was even larger than U2's.

"It was the biggest touring set in the world" smiles Rieu proudly. "We travelled with 500 people. That's madness, but it was fun to do, and it worked. Usually fun and classical music doesn't go together, I don't know why."

Rieu's a wonderfully quirky man who rides a bike around sound check and insists he wants to be the first performer to play waltz music on the moon.Thanks to his popularity in Australia, he even played his violin down Ramsay Street, during a cameo turn in Neighbours.

But it's his instinct for crowd-pleasing that has helped him sell more than 30 million albums, and earnt him the unlikely status as a classical sex symbol."Am I?" he laughs. "It's the way we play music, the way I make contact with the audience."That's what was always lacking in classical music. If you want to clap, then just do it."

Click here to watch ►Video of Interview With André by Sky News

André Rieu Appears on Flikken Maastricht Jan. 29th

André Rieu's appearance on "Flikken (Cops) Maastricht" will be on Tros Television this coming Friday, January 29, 2010. The violin virtuoso will show his acting skills to the Dutch people where he plays himself in this episode that was recorded last summer during his concerts on the Vrijthof. Click here to see a preview of the upcoming show on ►Ineke/Ruud's Movies Site, plus some footage taken by Ruud and Siggy of the actual concert while the taping was going on!

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André Rieu's Son Marc's Painting "Evening Glow"

A few weeks ago Hanne had a special guest! She had purchased a painting by Marc Rieu called "Evening Glow" for her place of work and Marc delivered the painting to her in person at her home. She said they drank coffee together and had a very nice visit ... of course including talk about Ivan. :)

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Thank you Hanne for the photos and how exciting that all must have been for you!

André Rieu's Standings Rise on The Best Selling Artist List

André Rieu Rises in Standings On The Best Selling Artist List

From the Front Page of de Limburger

January 20, 2010: The Maastricht orchestra leader and violinist André Rieu is now number 'Six' on the list of the Best Selling Artists of The World. That according to the listing which the American magazine "Billboard" produces yearly.

In 2009 Rieu had a turnover of approximately 95.8 million dollars (appr. 67 million Euro) and sold 834,992 tickets worldwide. With this sale he overtook amongst others, Britney Spears (7), Coldplay (10), Metallica (11) and Beyoncé (15).

The number one position of the 25 best selling artists for 2009 goes to the Irish Rock Band U2. Second place went to Madonna and Bruce Springsteen with his E-street Band reached third place with their world tour. The last two in the top five were AC/DC and Pink Floyd.

Last year Rieu ended in eighth place with a turnover of 76.9 million dollars and sold 714,617 tickets.

Thank You to John for Translating and sending this to us! Photo taken by Simon in Maastricht

André Rieu Meets Queen Elizabeth Photo

André Rieu Meets The Queen of England

"A performance for the Queen of England and having the opportunity to share the stage with such great stars in front of more than 12 million viewers, which is an enormous honour. This is a new milestone in my career!" said Rieu, who had the opportunity to talk to Queen Elizabeth; "I shook her hand and spoke to her briefly. She was very friendly and told me that she enjoyed the beautiful melodies a lot".

We had the stories to post about this, but we did not have a picture to go with the stories ... André has now provided the above picture on his Website and what a great picture it is!! ►André Rieu Website

André Rieu's Strauss Orchestra Waltzes Into UK Pop Charts

André Rieu's Strauss Orchestra Waltzes Into UK Pop Charts

January 18, 2010 London

An album of 19th Century Waltzes has stormed past Susan Boyle's record breaking debut to make the 'Pop Charts' top 10. "Forever Vienna", by Dutch violinist and conductor André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra, has entered the 'Pop Charts' at number six, putting it ahead of Susan Boyle's 'I Dreamed a Dream', the biggest selling album of last year.

Rieu's album, which features works such as The Blue Danube and Radetzky March composed by Strauss, has also reached Number One in the classical charts. Such was its popularity that shops across the country ran out of copies in the first week of its release.

Never before has this music made it to the top of the (pop) charts, but André Rieu is the man to do it. Being one of the music world's best kept secrets, he certainly has a talent for bringing traditional waltz music to life, to be enjoyed in the way it was in its heyday. Rieu is adored by his fans all over the world and with this album he has shown music fans in the UK why.

"The waltz encapsulates all emotions in life, and this is why people love it," said Mr. Rieu, who has sold over 30 million albums worldwide. "This UK 'pop' chart entry is proof of that, so I am thrilled."

André Rieu Photos in Hamburg Germany 2010

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André Rieu Concert in Hamburg, Germany

Click on the link below to see some great photos in a Slideshow of Andrés Concert in Hamburg Germany taken by KV Sorensen. ►Slideshow of Concert in Hamburg 2010

Oman Enjoys André Rieu's Brother Jean-Philippe's Music

Oman Enjoys Jean-Philippe's Music

Composer Jean-Philippe Rieu hailing from Eysden, recently performed in Oman. He brought homage to the Sultan, who in turn presented him a very hight cultural decoration.

In a few weeks he will return to Oman to personally present his new CD, "Secrets of the Soul" to Sultan Quaboos Al Said. Composer Jean-Philippe Rieu is still under the influence of the concert he recently conducted for a select group of diplomats and governmental representatives in the little Gulf State of Oman ~Translated by John

Click here to read full article on ►Jean-Philippe in Oman

Photos of André Rieu's 2010 New Year's Day Concert

Click on the Link below to see some photos that Ineke and Hanna took at the New Year's Day Concert in Cologne. The photos of Roos and Little Lowieke are being posted with Roos's permission. ►A Few Photos of 2010 New Year Concert

André Rieu Owns Decade DVD Sales in Australia

Australia's Twenty Highest Selling Music DVDS of The Decade

January 7, 2010 ~The Herald Sun Australia: ONE Man owned DVD sales last Decade. That man ~ André Rieu. He single handedly reinvented the genre, selling more than Two Million Copies of his copious amount of Live DVDS. Mr. Rieu clocks up Six Titles in the Top Twenty. ►(Click on the above photo to read chart)

Thanks to Jann in Australia for sending this to us.

André Rieu Orchestra Member Frank Steijns Offers Reward

Frank Steijns Offers 5000 Euros Reward For The Bells

Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Reward: 5000 Euros For The Bells

Frank Steijns: "This bronze is difficult to sell, it has 'Signatures' of the maker."

Frank Steijns, the City Carillon Player, has offered a reward of 5000 Euros to the person who returns the stolen bells of his carillon. On December 22, the 41 bronze bells from the mobile carillon of Frank Steijns were stolen from a storage shed of the company Shurgard in Maastricht. The theft attracted a lot of media attention, but there are still no results.

"I've lost hope that the thieves would have a change of heart and return the bells," says Steijns. "At least I would like to know where the bells are". He now knows that the thieves encountered the carillon by chance, because that day ten other storage boxes were broken into, confirmed the police, but, they would not make any further comment. Steijns says that the Justice Department still has the camera images of Shurgard's and will not release them, all in the interest of the investigation.

The carillon player has heard from reliable sources that the bronze of the bells is very traceable. "It almost contains like a true signature of the maker. Aside from the copper and tin, there are also other metals mixed throughout. Because of that, the bells are difficult to sell without running a risk."

To date not one smelting house has reported that the bells were offered to them. "Therefore I have offered a Reward of 5000 Euros to the person who returns the bells and hammers intact.That is the maximum value of the molten bells. "The bronze bells when molten are only worth 500 euros to Steijns.

Amongst other things, Steijns made concert tours with André Rieu and the Water Procession on the River Mass with the Mobile Carillon.

Will there be a new Mobile Carillon? "Several people have indicated they want to help, but there is nothing concrete yet." For now Steijns had to cancel twenty concerts. "Even if I get new bells, I cannot perform before May. This is a significant revenue loss, but that I find not to be too important. Most of all I want to know what happened to the bells. That, in the meantime has become the primary question for me."

Thanks to John for finding and Translating this for us!

André Rieu's 2010 New Year Concert in Cologne

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André's 2010 New Year's Day Concert in Cologne

From Ineke and Ruud: Traditionally the Concert Season for a new year starts in the German town of Cologne. We also spent a few days in Cologne, watching the fireworks on New Year's eve from the quays of the River Rhine and attending the traditional New Year's concert the day after. Once in awhile, André invites members of his orchestra to do a solo performance. In this concert, Tanja Derwahl and Monoe Konings each performed in a solo appearance. Click here to see parts of The New Year's Day Concert: ►The 2010 New Year Concert in Cologne

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On December 29th, 2009 the Dutch TROS Showed the Special, "André and Friends"

What is so "special" about this "Special"? ... Why is he dressed in an Orange Waistcoat? ... Why was this concert never in his agenda? ... Why are there 30,000 people in the stadium and not a single ticket was sold? ... Why is there not a single familiar face in the audience? ... Why do some call this the "New Year concert 2010", when That concert was on Jan. 1st and 2nd, 2010 in Cologne? ...

Click here for all the answers to these questions and to see the Video from: ►André and Friends 2009

Source: www.andrerieu-movies.com

André Rieu Is Coming To South Africa!

The King of Waltz Is Coming To South Africa in April 2010

January 3, 2010: André Rieu, one of the world’s most popular performers, will be touring South Africa for the first time!

André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra will kick off their South African tour at the Sun City Super Bowl on April 24 followed by shows in Durban and Cape Town. Known as the King of Waltz, André performs in 'sold out' venues all over the world, and is the Number One Selling male performer of 2009.

The chart topping Dutch violinist and conductor has sold close to 30 million albums globally, and has broken all classical concert records, packing stadiums with over 700,000 adoring fans each year. André Rieu is renowned for the uplifting and festive atmosphere at his concerts, as he encourages his audience to get out of their seats and waltz in the aisles.

“André Rieu is one of the entertainment world’s truly unique performers and it is a great privilege to be partnering him on his first South African tour,” says Sam Hendrikse, CEO of Hunta Live. “The Johann Strauss Orchestra and the numerous singers who will be accompanying the tour to South Africa will provide audiences with an entertainment experience never witnessed in this country before.”

André Rieu: Live in South Africa will perform in Durban on April 28 at the Durban International Convention Centre at 20h00. This will follow his performances at Sun City on April 24 and 25. After appearing in Durban, André Rieu appears in Cape Town on May 1 and 2. Booking for all performances is at Computicket: www.computicket.co.za

The Above Photo did not come with the article. I have tried over the holidays to put a few pictures on here that I could keep the file size down low enough for posting, yet make the pictures big enough so those who would like to, would be able to print them out ... this photo was taken in San Diego, just before the Toronto concerts. Sue :)