André Rieu Misses Out on The Mexican Grammy

André Rieu Misses Out on The Mexican Grammy

Mexico City: October 27, 2011 - Mexico's most prestigious music prize eluded the Limburg violinist André Rieu. The world famous "King of Waltz" was nominated for the coveted Lunas Award, but last night had to yield to Placido Domingo.

The ceremony took place in the Concerto Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, where Rieu performed earlier this month for 50,000 delirious fans. Rarely has a famous artist been able to completely sell out this arena five times in a row all by himself.

Previous winners of the Lunas Award were Paul McCartney and Elton John. Precisely due to Rieu's highly successful concert tour and the huge sales of his musical items this year (around 100,000 CDs and 50,000 DVDs), the Maastricht musician appeared to be a serious candidate. Dutch DJ Tiësto was nominated once before for the Mexican Grammy.

Thanks to John for sending and Translating this for us

André Rieu UK Tour ~ December 2012

Wed 12 Oct 2011: André & his Johann Strauss Orchestra will return to the UK in December 2012! André will kick off his tour in Belfast, followed by 5 concerts in Glasgow, Manchester, New Castle, London and Birmingham.

"My main goal, every concert, is for people to have an unforgettable night. I like to talk to my audience, interact with them and look them in the eyes. People can expect a colorful concert, with beautiful melodies, waltzes, surprises, balloons, the tenors and our lovely sopranos. I am really looking forward to visiting my fans in the UK again." said André ....... Tickets will go on sale on Friday October 14th at 9am.

TOUR DATES
December 10th 2012 – Odyssey Arena Belfast, 8pm
December 12th 2012 – SECC Glasgow, 8pm
December 14th 2012 – MEN Arena Manchester, 8pm
December 15th 2012 – Metro Radio Arena Newcastle Upon Tyne, 8pm
December 16th 2012 – The O2 London, 7:30pm
December 18th 2012 – LG Arena Birmingham, 8pm

►André Rieu.com

André Rieu Conquers Mexico!

With The Country's Flag Draped Over His Shoulder,

André Rieu is Bringing Down the Roof All Over Mexico

RIEU CONQUERS MEXICO: The Maastricht violinist and orchestra leader is at the top of the CD/DVD sales list, receives lyrical criticism from the press, and for days now has been bringing down the roof in one of Mexico City's largest auditoriums playing for a totally enthusiastic audience. He emotionally brings 10,000 fans to tears lauded the Mexican Newspaper "Reforma" about his first performance this past weekend. Countless attendees danced in the isles to the music of Rieu's Stradivarius violin and his Johan Strauss Orchestra. Even famous Mexican artists did not want to miss out on the "Charismatic Dutchman" and mingled with the fun loving public. The Mexican success is just the beginning for Rieu in Latin America. "In May we are going to Brazil, followed by Argentina and Chile. Brazil is going to explode" said the very satisfied musician at the end of one of his sold out concerts.

Thanks to the extensive sales of his illegally copied/pirated CD's/DVD's, tickets for his live concerts are not to be found. "I was stunned,'' says Rieu."Last year we thought, let's try Mexico, where I seemed to already have been world famous in the streets, thanks to the illegal sales in numerous market stands", said the Limburg citizen after the completion of one of his performances. The Stradivarius player can laugh about the piracy. Ticket sales for his concerts are going like a run-away train. Besides the nearly 50,000 tickets sold in Mexico City, there are another 13,500 tickets sold by the Limburger in Guadalajara and another 5,000 in Monterrey.

"There are good laws in Mexico against piracy, but apparently it is a sport to be flexible and deal with them," jokes the musician. "I'm not worried about these illegal copies or downloads. My audience would still prefer an origional disc in their hands." The official sales numbers indicate as such for the Limburger violinist. For example, Rieu and his Mexican Fiesta Mexicana DVD are at the top of the sales charts, surpassing Amy Winehouse. He also occupies the first, fifth and ninth places in top 10 best selling CDs.

"Mexico could use a little happiness," he told a grateful audience Saturday evening, referring to the drug war which sadly is tearing the country apart. It is peculiar though that Rieu will also visit Monterrey, where violence has been escalating for months. "Yes, we are going to go there. We played in Christchurch, New Zealand, one day after the earthquake. Our hotel was not even standing anymore. But the audience loved it," says the world famous Limburger.

Thanks to Ineke for the Telegraph newspaper article and John for Translating it

André Rieu A Privilege To Make People Happy

A Privilege TO MAKE OTHERS HAPPY

CHAPEAU MAGAZINE: During the concerts on the Vrijthof and afterwards while watching them again on Television, I once more realized what a privileged individual I am by making so many people happy with our music. When you look at those images from the Vrijthof and see how intense the people live along, sing along, yes and even play along and even stand there conducting, that is so wonderful to see: they are totally immersed in the music and for a few hours they totally forget their problems. That is so incredibly beautiful; it really gives you goose bumps. It makes me feel happy and that gives so much joy in life.

We were again extremely lucky with the weather during our Vrijthof concerts. Although the summer was really awful, only one of the six concerts we performed, fell in the water, but not literally though. Although it rained the entire evening, there was not one single concertgoer who left. Everyone stayed and experienced under their poncho, with no more than a few soggy shoes, a very wonderful evening.

I myself found this year again to be a great experience. It was obviously very special since Sir Anthony Hopkins came all the way over to Maastricht to listen to our concerts and experience the Dutch premier of his waltz "And the Waltz goes on". He was unbelievable enthusiastic and said he had never experienced anything like it. For my orchestra and I, that of course is a great compliment. It was nice to see how he sat amidst the audience on the square really enjoying himself. We have become close friends; in some way we each clicked. We call and send text messages regularly and in the meantime he has sent me other music. I also want to review that. How everything will turn out, I do not know yet, but it feels good to work with him, and that gives a creative boost which we both find agreeable.

What strikes me is that the concerts on the Vrijthof are becoming ever more international. People from truly all over the world come to Maastricht. This year there were 78 nationalities. They may not even have seen me in their own country, but they definitely want to come to the Vrijthof and experience how I play in my own city. That they do not understand the Maastricht dialect apparently does not bother them. They come for the music and atmosphere.

►Next Year we will move back to the First and Second Weekend of July ... (Maastricht 2012 Concert dates, July 6,7,8 and 13, 14, 15) 

Organizational wise it is a lot easier and it does make a difference to a lot of people who have not yet gone on vacation. This time we had to take into consideration the Holy Shrine Procession, which we happily did, and that for me was again an inspiration for the configuration of the program. Every year I like to reference to something that is happening in Maastricht or its environment.

And yes, after many years I was finally able to really enjoy a holiday. At least, whatever my meaning of holidays is. No, we did not lie on the beach, that’s not for me. And we did not visit any foreign countries or cities, since I'm already on the road the entire year. We stayed nicely at home, although we actually did spend one day at sea. Ha-ha. Primarily I stayed at home and practiced my violin, wonderful. And of course together with Marjorie we worked on new ideas. "The Waltz Goes On" but then of course without pressure or deadlines, that does make a difference. The office was closed so a lot fewer telephone calls and messages. That in itself was already a vacation.

►The Public at the Vrijthof concerts is becoming more International

But now we are fully back and underway; America, Mexico, England, Brazil. And now the necessary air miles are coming back into play. But we will also perform closer to home. In December, we perform another concert in the Gelredome, which will also include the spectacular act of Mirusia Louwerse flying through the air like Mary Poppins. The Limburgers who stay at home will not have to lose sight of us. On Saturday October 1, our new special "Wien, du stadt meiner Träume" (Vienna, you City of my Dreams) will be aired by ZDF, one of the most beautiful recordings we've ever made. And then a new Christmas special will be aired on Christmas Eve, also by ZDF, "Weihnachten bin ich zu Haus" (At Christmastime I will be Home) totally recorded in our castle "De Torentjes" (the towers) in Maastricht. And because St. Peter wanted to do something special because of that one Vrijthof concert, he made it snow here in August. A little early? Maybe yes, but winter had come a little early this year anyway .......... André

Thanks to Ineke for sending this and John's Translation of it

Mirusia Dancing the Charleston!

Mirusia Posted This on Her Facebook Today

"Watch me dance the Charleston in this short clip from the new DVD by Andre Rieu: 'Vienna: City of my Dreams' " ... ►Click HERE To Watch Mirusia!!

Snowfall Today in Maastricht at André Rieu's Castle

October 1, 2011: The warmest October first since we started measuring temperatures and still it is snowing in Maastricht. But rather just locally though, in the gardens and inner court of André Rieu's Castle.

Not real snow, but artificial snow. Rieu's staff has been very busy transforming the atmosphere of the castle into a Magic Winter Wonderland. It is all needed for the TV recordings for the traditional "Christmas Special" which Rieu is making for the German TV.

A rather strange sight: In front of the house people are swimming in and sailing on the river Maas. But with the violinist himself it is mid winter!!

Thanks to Kathrin for the article and John/Ineke Translating it. Thanks to Ineke for the Christmas Castle Picture.