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WELCOME AND ENJOY ! FROM YOUR WEB HOSTS ~ JOHN AND SUZANNE

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►Click on Photo To See and Hear Nightingale Serenade

Jul 31, 2010

Interview in Maastricht with André and Pierre Rieu

Watch André and Pierre's Interview Now With English Subtitles

In the second program of the L1 "Rieu week" series, Jo Cortenraedt speaks with André and Pierre about the "Rieu Family Company". This interview also highlights Pierre's new position within the company and new commercial ways to do business. Click on the link to watch it now with English Subtitles: http://www.andrerieu-movies.com/index.html

Jul 30, 2010

André Rieu's South African Dream on Two DVD Set!


André Rieu's Dream!
The Dutch Soccer Team had a dream in South Africa. Similarly so did André Rieu. Team Orange did not quite get to realise their dream, but André Rieu did his. After a few promotional visits to the country, he performed a number of concerts, and was of course accompanied by his entire Johann Strauss Orchestra. The results were astonishing. The enthusiasm of the concert audiences was unprecedented and was at times accompanied by many emotions. The African singer Kimmy Skota and the children of Hout Bay Bloemfontein project specifically made great impressions.
This spring, his preparations for his concerts and the highlights of the concert in Cape Town were broadcast by TROS (Dutch TV). Every broadcast was watched by more than one million viewers and the Cape Town broadcast attracted 1.5 million viewers. Everything that has been broadcast, can now be found on "My African Dream".
DVD 1:
1. The first two rehearsals
2. Royal performances (for Queen Elizabeth and Queen Beatrix)
3. Problems caused by the ash cloud
4. The Hout Bay project
5. Very special guests in Cape Town
DVD 2:
Documentary / Concert
Total playing time: almost 3.5 hours
"My African Dream" will be available in the Netherlands on August 6th!
Thanks to Mike Connelly for finding the Cover Photo and all the information on this DVD Set! And to John for his quick translation of it ... Welcome Back John!!

Jul 28, 2010

"My African Dream" André Rieu in Maastricht


UPDATE JUNE 30th: André has just today changed the Title of his ZDF Showing of the Maastricht Concerts on his Website to a German Title (translated, "A Summer Night's Dream") ... Thanks to Peter Kuehn for the heads up on this!

Jul 27, 2010

André Rieu Concert in Chicago 2010

Photos and Story From Bob at His Chicago Concert in June
Nicolle has been my favorite JSO member since the first time I popped in a DVD and settled back to watch. Now don’t get me wrong, I like ALL members of the choir and last year I was lucky enough to meet many of them at a backstage “Meet & Greet” sponsored by PBS, Judith and Vergenie spoke to us at length last year, but for whatever reason, Nicolle has always been my all time favorite. But sadly, Nicolle was not on last year’s tour.
I have to admit that I was pretty nervous when I approached her. Not that I ever look particularly good mind you… but this day was one of my worst. My hair was messed up and I was sunburned and had on a T-shirt from a sports bar. Let’s just say that I was not dressed for success. But none the less I approached her and asked if I could snap a picture and she graciously said I could.
I told her how she was my favorite of ALL performers and I think it was Jennifer Kowalski who suggested that I have my picture taken with Nicolle. I handed over the camera and she did the honors. I thanked Nicolle and Jennifer and then I headed out the door still in a bit of a daze as to what had just occurred. Looking back there were so many questions I wished that I had been able to formulate but I was in such a stupor that I was just glad I didn’t say something really stupid as I have been known to do at times such as this ...
I had this to put on a few weeks ago, but with everything from Maastricht had to wait. Click on the links below to see photos that Bob took and read his whole report!
REPORThttp://bobman7777.blogspot.com/2010/07/older-violin-longer-entry.html
PHOTOShttp://harmonyparlorphotos.blogspot.com/1973_10_01_archive.html#9137183851679463142

Jul 25, 2010

Interview With André Rieu and Wife Marjorie on "De klassieken"

Interview With André and Marjorie on "De klassieken"
(A Classical Radio Station in the Netherlands)

This is mostly for those who understand Dutch as the interview is all in Dutch, but for those who do not, a lot of it is still interesting just to watch and listen to ...
June 22, 2010: The first part of the interview was rather difficult and reserved. "De klassieken" is a classical radio program of what André calls "the puritan elite". They are his critics, so he went right into the lion's den!
In the first part Maartje (who is the interviewer) asked critical questions and why he was playing for instance (something terrible as) a lullaby (Tula Tula). But going on she melted a bit. (of course!)
I liked the third part most with Marjorie. She told that she takes courses abroad when André is on tour. She registers under her maiden name and nobody knows that she is Mrs. Rieu. That makes it so she is not treated differently and that is what she likes. I liked her music choice, "Pantomime from Grétry", which is on André's repertoire.
Other parts of the interview that we did not know ... In his twenties André felt depressed. He did not like the conservatory lessons and felt horrible. The love of Marjorie rescued him. The family was not content with his choice (later on they accepted her, she said).They married and ran away for a honeymoon on the beaches of Tunesia. André fled from the music lessons without leaving a note! (perhaps that could be the three weeks of belated puberty he talks about with Marjorie). Afterwards he returned and finished his studies. ~ Ineke ... Click on link to watch and listen to it: ►http://player.omroep.nl/?aflid=11277905

Jul 24, 2010

Bells of Cape Town Will Ring Again at André Rieu's Concert

FORGOTTEN BELLS OF CAPE TOWN WILL RING AGAIN, thanks to Steijns
The city of Weert and its committee of carillon players "adopts" the carillon of the South African Town.
In the city of Weert (Limburg town) restoration is in full swing on the Cape Town carillon. Carillon player Steijns intends to play the bells when Rieu performs in Cape Town in March 2011.
"The Cape Town bells will be played during Rieu's concert" according to the the South African newspaper "Die Burger" of last May. During that month the Carillon player from Weert along with André Rieu and other staff members visited Cape Town in preparation for an open air concert in March 2011. And during that visit Steijns "discovered" the forgotten bells in the Town Hall. "The carillon had been neglected for many years. By improvising and using some wires, I was able to connect the clappers to the keyboard and was able to play the instrument". During the concert clapper wires broke again, so a complete restoration is needed to make the instrument playable. The carillon with its 39 bells was constructed in 1923 as a tribute to the South African soldiers who died during the First World War (1914-1918). "It might be because of this association that people on the square were crying when they heard the bells being played again", said Steijns.
"During our performance with Rieu next year March, I would love to play the bells, the way I did a few years ago as carillon player on the Vrijthof".
Once back in Weert, Steijns managed to get the carillon committee enthusiastic about his plans. "We have experience in Weert in repairing carillons with dyneema rope, a tough polyethylene from DSM, a strong kind of fiberglass. With that we can most likely restore the Cape Town Carillon. But the costs are high, about 15,000 Euros.
Hub Kremers, member the church council, and on behalf of the carillon committee thinks that the Weert support for Cape Town could evolve into a city bond. "That could be a nice promotion for the city of Weert".
Thanks to Ineke for translating and sending this to us

Jul 23, 2010

Australia's Richard Wilkins in Maastricht With André Rieu Video

Australia's Richard Wilkins in Maastricht with André Rieu

Great interview with André and Richard Wilkins in Maastricht that was on the Australian Today Show yesterday. Be sure to look very carefully, there's a lot of familiar faces in this!! :)http://today.ninemsn.com.au/videoindex.aspx?videoid=eed94d9a-a835-41f1-9e34-4e2d442eb258

André Rieu Maastricht 2010 Photos

Franco and Hanne in Maastricht
Maastricht Photos From Hanne From The Second Weekend

Hanne (from Germany took a lot of photos and they are on her Facebook, I know everyone does not have Facebook, so I chose these to post here as I thought they were really different. Great shot of the "Three Rieu's"!! Thanks for sharing them Hanne ...
   




Victoria ~ Marc Rieu ~ Hanne
(Victoria is Hanne's Daughter)

Jul 22, 2010

André Rieu Fan Dinner and Picnic in Maastricht Video

Video of FAN Dinner and Picnic in Maastricht
Ineke and Ruud have posted their video of the Traditional Fan Dinner and Fan Picnic in Maastricht ... Click on the link to watch it: http://www.andrerieu-movies.com/index.html

André Rieu To Give Christmas Concerts in Maastricht (MECC)

André Rieu To Give Christmas Concerts in Maastricht
Maastricht July 21, 2010
Limburger Newspaper: André Rieu is going to give Christmas Concerts in the MECC (Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Center). What the orchestra leader will do exactly is not yet known. Spokesman Evert Cuijpers from the MECC said, "Together we are working on something beautiful, but we still have to discuss the details. As soon as that is done, we'll publish the full program".
Rieu played in the MECC during his concert series on the day of the final Soccer Match for the Word Cup, July 11th, which started at 8:30 PM. His concert was at 1:00 in the afternoon and moved to the MECC because of the heat wave. In the Congress Center they had facades of the Vrijthof painted on fabric as a décor, with the Vogelstruys made as a three dimensional version (of wood).
Thanks to Ineke for translating and sending this to us

Jul 19, 2010

Photos of André Rieu's Last Concert in Maastricht 2010

Al Girard's Photos of The Last Concert in Maastricht

From Al Girard: "All I can say after last night's concert is "WOW!!!" This was the best one yet. The audience was in a party mood, and it showed. At one time during the encores (there were seven or eight encores) there was a conga line weaving through the seating area, that must have been a half a kilometer long. I videoed the whole concert in HD from the fourth floor of the Hotel Du Casque."
On the last night, Al took his photos from the fourth floor of The DuCasque Hotel. You get to really see the Stage Setup, Fire works and Stage Backdrops in these ... Great Ending Al !! ... Click on Link Below:http://harmonyparlorphotos.blogspot.com/2006_07_01_archive.html#2314156047958562957

Jul 18, 2010

A Beautiful Evening in Maastricht and The Last Concert!
Good Bye to Maastricht until next year. And a huge "Thank You" to those who took time to send us all the Photos, Videos and News ... with a very special "Thank You" to Al Girard, Ruud and Ineke for all they did so that those of us at home could see and hear what was going on almost as it was happening!! ... Sue

André Rieu Maastricht 2010 Photoshow!

See Adele's Pictures in a Photoshow of Maastricht!!

Jul 17, 2010

André Rieu Maastricht 2010 Concert Photos

Saturday Night Concert Photos, Just One More Concert to Go!!
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Click Link Below to see Al's Photos from last night, Saturday July 16, 2010

Saturday Night André Rieu Concert Maastricht 2010


Al had the photo of Nicolle and her little one printed out to have it given to her before Friday's Concert. Tonight he heard from Nicolle ...
From Al Girard: About an hour and a half before tonight's concert I was standing near the Theater on the Vrijthof, when a female voice said "Hello, sir!"
I turned to see who it was. It was Nicolle from the choir. She thanked me for the photo, and she told me that she had seen it online before I gave her the print, because someone had told her to go to Harmony Parlor to see a photo of her. She said she wants to get many prints made for her family, and for her little daughter as well.
We had a really nice chat for about ten minutes. One thing I did not know,is that the choir is lined up from left to right with the highest voices on the left.
Richard Wilkins from the Today Show in Australia is in Maastricht, and he had a camerman and sound man with him. No rain tonight ....................... Al

André Rieu Fan Picnic 2010 in Maastricht

The 2010 Fan Picnic in Maasricht Friday, July 16
From Al and Ineke: In the Group Photo, most of the fans at the picnic are in it, but some arrived late after the photo was taken. In total we had 44 fans at the Park. For the first time a delegation of 7 from Sweden!! It was a good turn out with it being the second weekend where so many had gone home after being there for the first week. Click on the link to see some of the photos Al and Ineke sent of the Fan Picnic: http://harmonyparlorphotos.blogspot.com/2001_05_01_archive.html#4736077571574303947  

Jul 16, 2010

André Rieu Live Telecast from Maastricht in Babinda Australia

Babinda Australia Swept Up in André Rieu Musical Fever

Saturday July 17, 2010 Carenda Jenkin

THEY may have the wettest town in Australia tag but Babinda residents are now chasing to be Dutch Violinist André Rieu's biggest fans.
Babinda Munro Theatre, once wrecked by Cyclone Larry’s wrath, is one of eight venues in Queensland to show a live telecast of the internationally renowned musician tomorrow.
Mr. Rieu will perform in his home town of Maastricht, the Netherlands. The deckchair theatre’s owner of more than 30 years Fred Lizzio, 68, said he is proud to be part of a worldwide phenomenon. "This isn’t just us in the Far North. We will be part of millions around the world watching this," Mr Lizzio said. "Bad weather isn’t going to stop this. The satellite technology is up to standard and it’s not going to stop the telecast. "I wouldn’t mind to see him live and they tell me it’s like watching it on the screen when you are in the back row. So with this telecast, it is definitely a step closer to seeing him live." He said if Cyclone Larry did not hit more than five years ago, the theatre would not be up to the standard it is today. "I see it as a blessing and it is always about moving forward," he said.
The show, Andre Rieu – Live in Maastricht, has two shows tomorrow, at 11am and 4pm. Cinemalive is running the telecast and Babinda was among the first in Australia to install the system. Tickets are on sale for $40 at Babinda Pharmacy, Munro St, or call 4067 1438

Jul 15, 2010

Video of Fire on The Stage of André Rieu Concert in Maastricht

Fireworks That Caused The Spark

On Tuesday July 13th, sparks from the fireworks at the end of the song "Adieu, mein kleiner Gardeoffizier" set of a small fire in the roof of the stage. Below the video of this event. After this song André and the JSO played the "Brazilian medley". Don't pay attention to the song itself (sorry André), but look at the faces of the orchestra members who already spotted the fire.
Fire on stage André walks off stage to warn the stage crew, finishes the song and then ended the evening. Next you see a brave young man from the RENTALL company fight the fire without any safety line and with his bare hands. Medal deserved! ~ Ruud ... Click on the Link to watch the video: ► http://www.andrerieu-movies.com/Maastricht_2010_Concert.html

Repairs From Storm on The Vrijthof For André Rieu Concerts


Repairing The Storm Damaged Vrijthof Today
From Al Girard: Crews are working at repairing the storm damaged set on the Vrijthof. Setting the chairs up properly will not be easy, because each chair is numbered, and they have to be individually located and placed in the proper places. Sort of like working on a jigsaw puzzle.
A security guard told me that half of the roof had blown off the stage. The video screens had been lowered in advance of the storm, and they will have to be raised, but that will be easy, since they are on power winches.

Every light fixture on the towers is being examined to make certain that they are secure. Two truckloads of metal rods which are part of the structure have arrived. I have no idea at this stage why they have been brought to the Vrijthof, but I'm sure as the day goes on, we'll learn more.
The desk clerk at the Hotel Du Casque told me that some of the terra cotta tiles had blown off of the hotel roof ... Al Girard

Jul 14, 2010

André Rieu's Set on The Vrijthof Damaged in Storm in Maastricht

Strong Storm Hits Maastricht and The Vrijthof
FROM AL GIRARD: A storm was predicted to hit at around five pm, and it was expected to last about an hour. I was in the bar at my hotel, the De La Bourse, which is on market square, where city hall is located. For about fifteen minutes, as the sky grew darker, and the low, fast-moving clouds rolled past, staff of the various cafes were rolling up umbrellas and moving whatever they could indoors ... And then the storm hit with a vengeance, with high winds and very heavy rain. It was almost like a mini-hurricane. I saw a couple of tree branches fall. After about fifteen minutes the intensity dropped, while lightning flashed and thunder rolled ... There was evidence of the storm at the Vrijthof, as chairs are scattered, and there is some damage to the right of the stage next to the jumbotron ..... Al Girard
FROM PETER TIMM: Doug (Santa) Whalen, his neice Debra, Bonnie and I were travelling back from Cologne today when the storm hit. Hail, high winds and heavy rain struck when we were on the highway. Coming into Maastricht - it looked like a war zone. Flooded streets, down trees and damaged cars .... Peter Timm
Thanks to Peter for taking and sending us the pictures. 
And both Al and Peter for such quick reports to us.

Photos of André Rieu's Tuesday July 13th Concert in Maastricht


Here is the link to Photos that Al took on the Theater Steps at last nights concert ... http://harmonyparlorphotos.blogspot.com/1971_11_01_archive.html#8534222967816553147

Jul 13, 2010

Small Fire On Stage At André Rieu Concert in Maastricht

Tonight Was The Last Concert of The First Week's Series

TUESDAY JULY 13, 2010 Beautiful day today, and a perfect evening for a concert. Pipe band once again. André was doing an interview and promo spots on the steps of the theater for television, for at least a half an hour.
Tonight they experienced only the second technical glitch that I've ever witnessed, the first being Suzan Eren's microphone failure in Melbourne.Tonight there was a speaker or microphone failure for the Platin Tenors' second song, Oh Solo Mio. André gave them another opportunity by starting the second set with that song.

A bigger problem occured during Marina. André and some of the orchestra members noticed a fire above the stage. André strutted to the wings to alert his men, but continued playing.
They finished Marina while men climbed without safety harness and put out the fire with damp rags. Fire Department was dispatched to the Vrijthof to make certain the fire which was caused by pyrotechnics was safely extinguished ... And last, DJ Otzi saw me taking his picture. I gave him a thumbs up and he grinned and gave me a thumbs up too! ... Al Girard

CLICK ON LINK BELOW TO CONTINUE READING ALL ARTICLES ON THE HARMONY PARLOR!!

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Pierre and André September 30, 2016 Maastricht

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Photo Taken at Mexico City Concert ~ September 2013

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"Hello to all my fans on The Harmony Parlor!"


Soundcheck in Maastricht 2013 (RTL Photo)



Maastricht 2012 ~ "André on The Theater Steps" by Bee

Maastricht 2012 ~ "André and Pierre on The Theater Steps" by Bee

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