André Rieu Enjoys The Attention of His Fans

André Rieu Clearly Enjoys The Attention of His Fans

Maastricht Aktueel: June 30, 2013: Not only André Rieu gets a lot of attention from the fans. The members of the Johann Strauss Orchestra also have groupies. The beginning has come and gone. The first of the three weekends of André Rieu’s performances on the Vrijthof is over. With his Time for the fans and for Maastricht Aktueel, Johann Strauss Orchestra, soloists and special guests, Trini Lopez and Andre van Duin, he gave his fans two evenings of what they’ve come to expect from him – top-class entertainment in the guise of light classical music.

And that is not all. People in the city center feel the André-Rieu- in-Maastricht effect – there is a special atmosphere which is not limited to his performances, but is tangible also before and after the concerts. The ninth edition comprises eight performances. The ‘product’ Rieu can be called a gadget that many people want to have a reminder of. This is easily facilitated by smart phones and small cameras. André Rieu, the Johann Strauss Orchestra and the choir understand this only too well.

The world-renowned violinist overlooks ‘his’ Vrijthof. After a bleak Friday Rieu and the public were blessed with a beautiful Saturday in typical Rieu concert fashion.

The perennially good-natured Franks Steijns is excited once again. The only thing that bothers him is which violin to choose; so he simply takes three along. From the countdown - which began when the

Stehgeiger started warming up in the entrance to the ‘Theater aan het Vrijthof’ – Rieu and his musicians skillfully play the audience like an instrument. Even though it was readily apparent on Friday that it would rain heavily, it was nonetheless a lovely time for the fans, only slightly dampened by the inclement weather. The Walk of Fame from the Theater to the entrance to the Vrijthof on the eastern side (terrace side) was a stunning sight as usual: members of the public lined the route to the square, eagerly anticipating the start of the concert.

 

The world-renowned musician wisely decided to get to the stage as soon as possible this time … not so much due to his own interest, but to limit the time the audience would be exposed to the rain. All unnecessary extras were omitted during the concert. A police officer said that the concert ended half an hour earlier than planned. Favorable weather on Saturday meant that fans were more than compensated for lost opportunities.

Dozens of fans who had managed to secure a spot at the entrance to the 'André Rieu Square' could take photographs to their hearts’ content. But the orchestra and singers are also hugely popular with the fans. A dark-haired, buxom Mediterranean fan was only too happy to appear in the picture with one of the male members of the Johann Strauss Orchestra. The female members of the orchestra were also immortalized on numerous mobile phones.

But, of course, Rieu draws the most attention. The expression on his face shows that he enjoys the attention he gets from his fans – even more so now than in the past. The same applies to his son, Pierre. Although the usual routine is strictly adhered to, the renowned musician somehow allows himself a little more opportunity to enjoy these moments which are always special. The next two weeks Rieu's orchestra and choir will relive the experience of emerging from the Theater and walking to the crowded Vrijthof another six times – together with their fans who never get enough of Rieu at the Vrijthof.

Laurens Bouvrie provided this impression of ‘time for fans’ prior to the start of Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra’s performance.

Thank you to Entia for Translating this for us!