André Rieu Waltzing at The King's Ball

Soundcheck today Mirusia's Twitter. "Notice my Orange pants and André's Orange Blazer!"

Waltzing at The King’s Ball

Tomorrow evening on the Museum square in Amsterdam, André Rieu will pay homage to the new King Willem-Alexander with his "Coronation Waltz." "I am quite nervous, because it is a huge honor to close the festivities in the Capital City." 

The Limburger: April 29 by Peter van de Berg - The chance that the "Coronation Waltz" of André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra will be sung along tomorrow evening on the Museum Square in Amsterdam, in contrast to the official "King’s Song" by John Ewbank, will be extremely great. The composition in reality is instrumental, but the lyrics of the pieces used are virtually known by everyone. This past week André Rieu has been rehearsing with his orchestra quite a lot in his studio in Maastricht, for the very important performance in the Capital City. In the meantime he has also experienced the commotion about the especially composed song by John Ewbank. "At this moment there are very more important issues in the Netherlands to be dealt with than the controversy about this song. I would have done it differently, but that is a question of taste. John Ewbank received an assignment, and due to that his hands were tied. And artists do not like that. That’s why I understand his reaction very well." 

Photo from Bela's Facebook Today

Rieu’s "Coronation Waltz" starts off very stately, but quickly changes happily into well known melodies such as "Orange on High" and Piet Hein and the silver fleet. It would be very odd if the masses on the Museum Square, with several alcoholic beverages behind their molars, would not automatically raise their arms in the air during the King’s Ball. "I immediately decided to keep it simple with melodies everyone knows. That is my way of doing things. It has to become a party. But there will probably also be some emotional moments. It would not surprise me if occasionally a tear was shed." Rieu addresses the song "Time to Say Goodbye" which is portrayed as a symbol to bid farewell to Queen Beatrix. During it, the concert images which were recorded earlier during the Royal Inauguration will be projected on the big screens. Didn’t he want to present during the ceremonies in the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church)? "Tuesday I am going to concentrate on the performance. And I always do that in the same manner by resting. And in between we are busy with the actual images. There is plenty to do." That André Rieu was invited by Mayor Eberhard van der Laan to close the festivities on the Museum Square, was for him an enormous honor. And in the meantime the stand-alone violinist from Maastricht has been performing concerts all over the world. "I am proud that I am allowed to perform against the backdrops of the Concert building and the Rijksmuseum. History is being formed on a very special day. And that is something you do not experience every day."

It was first the intention that Rieu would erect

Photo from Carla's Facebook Today

his Greek Temple stage (the stage he always uses at his Vrijthof concerts) in Amsterdam. "That actually never happened. Everything had to be donated and that was just not possible. But a nice solution arose with a nicely decorated stage where you see the Rijksmuseum as a backdrop."

Today the violinist will personally meet the Royal Couple. He is really looking forward to that. "We are not allowed to rehearse in the evening. The official banquette is then taking place in the Rijksmuseum. I propose they open a window. First we will the "Wilhelmus" (National Anthem). But none of that is allowed. I will meet Willem-Alexander and Maxima in the afternoon. I am still going to ask it again." Rieu understand that there are many rules associated with the event. A few years ago when he performed for Queen Beatrix in the Valkenburg caves, it was much the same. "There was controversy whether we could play the Limburg Anthem for the Queen or not. I did it anyway and she sung happily along. Music relaxes people."

View from stage on Vincenzo's FB Today

Although the NOS (Dutch TV) will be reporting the festivities the entire day, André Rieu’s King’s Ball will not be aired live. The concert will be aired on Nederland 1 after midnight on TV, following the program of Pauw and Witteman. (Talk-show hosts) "The NOS indicated they would bring lots of equipment, 7 cameras in all. I said: "We’ll record everything ourselves then." So we’ll bring in our own crew, who has access to 27 cameras in order to record everything that will take place on the Museum Square." In any case, Rieu will be ready. "I am quite nervous. You have to experience it. Would the Royal couple attend unannounced? I do not think so. That would create many problems with security. But if that would really happen, it would of course be totally insane." 

The nation Post Code lottery organized the events on the Museum Square in Amsterdam. There are approximately 3000 seats and 5000 standing places available. Entrance fee is 10 Euros with the proceeds going to a good cause. Tickets are still available.

Thank you to John for this and Translating it