André Rieu Second Waltz 

 "Together Against Children's Cancer" March 27, 2013

►Click HERE To Watch The Video

André Rieu's New CD

New CD ... Rieu Royal 

Queen's Day (30th April) is always a special day in Amsterdam and this year there'll be even more to celebrate as Prince Willem Alexander and Princess Màxima are officially inaugurated as the new King and Queen of the Netherlands. Earlier this year Queen Beatrix delivered an official address to the nation, announcing her upcoming abdication from the throne. This will take place on Tuesday, 30th April 2013 at the Royal Palace on Dam Square, followed by the inauguration of the new King and Queen at De Nieuwe Kerk. 

On this festive occasion André Rieu was invited to arrange a brand new waltz medley, The Coronation Waltz - a Waltz for the King, from the King of the Waltz! The  Coronation Waltz will be performed live by André and his Johann Strauss Orchestra on the Museum Square (opposite the world famous Rijks museum) during the King's Ball. The inauguration and festivities will be a world wide TV broadcast. 

The Coronation Waltz is part of a special compilation album, put together by André himself: Rieu Royale. It also contains a fresh arrangement of the Wilhelmus, the Dutch national anthem, which is a first release on cd.

Where Is The Bronze Statue of André Rieu

Statue of Rieu as Seen in 2012 

For all the fans who wondered where André's sculpture had gone: this article appeared in the Limburg ...  Limburg Newspaper: André Rieu places no value on a statue to be placed somewhere in Maastricht. That is what the city councel replied to Piet Der Kinderen, who showed a life-size statue of the conductor in his galery on the Nieuwstraat 13, during the weekend of the TEFAF art fair in Maastricht. Der Kinderen and his across the street neighbor Wenke Rutten contacted the City Council with the request to give the sculpture by Alexander Taratynov a permanent place in the city. Other Rieu fans (WE!!!!) have also pleaded with the City Council for the statue of the violinist. Photos: The sculpture in the garden of Chateau St. Gerlach (with Al Girard): 2011. Only a head and a violin left in 2012. We all thought the sculpture had been melted down! (Thanks to Ineke for this article and information.)

André Rieu Chapeau Magazine - March/April 2013

ONE IDEA LEADS TO ANOTHER

Chapeau Magazine March/April: Sometimes I am still surprised by how many new ideas bubble up to the surface for the picking, and how certain developments can be interfaced. The trick is to choose those which are the best for us and the audience.

Ever since our successful concerts in England, this country seems to be upside down, at least for us. The British TV station "SKY-TV" has been working with me on an entire series and at a certain point the idea arose for me to make music every time with a different singer. Well, the Vrijthof concerts are the ideal place for that. And there we would also like to make the recordings. And then later in the year a special CD and DVD will be released. SKY-TV’s idea fits closely to a thought I had years ago - even before the first Vrijthof concerts - to try and give a concert in the manner of "André Rieu and friends". Back then Luciano Pavarotti did that too in his hometown. I considered that to be a very nice initiative, something really special.

This idea stayed on the back burner with us since we were busy with so many other projects, but since SKY-TV proposed it, this would be excellent to combine it with our previous thoughts. And so you see, it is all about bringing it all together, and together you produce something special.

The project is now well under way. SKY-TV is busy with the preparations and in the meantime we have had our first "friend" in the studio. To start with, Jermaine Jackson, and his visit was very special. He is the brother of the phenomenal Michael Jackson who we commemorated shortly after his death on the Vrijthof with the songs "Ben" and "the Earth Song". We showed Jermaine images of the Vrijthof and he was visibly moved by them. We quickly established a bond and it is going to be beautiful musical teamwork. He will probably be performing with us one of the evenings in Maastricht. In the meantime, Trini Lopez has also already been to our studio. Formerly known for his "If I had a Hammer" and "La Bamba". Very festive music, I can already visualize everything in front of me with a swinging Vrijthof.

What we are further going to be doing on the Vrijthof will remain a surprise. In any case, we are very busy with the preparations, and they will definitely again be wonderful evenings, I know that for a fact! The nice thing is that the audience will come from around the world to the concerts. That makes the evenings very special. And the entire orchestra always looks forward to that, since it is always very special for them to perform on the Vrijthof.

In the beginning of the year we recorded a new CD, consisting only of very romantic music under the title of "Music of the Night" With our own arrangements of pieces like "La Vie en Rose" by Edith Piaf, "When Winter Comes" and "I had a Dream" by ABBA, "One Hand, One Heart" from West side story and a beautiful melody by Sebelius, very melancholic and heart wrenching. As a bonus "Ben", recorded live on the Vrijthof one week after the death of Michael Jackson. This CD will be available later in the year. Lovely music for a romantic winter evening by candle light and a glass of wine.

But let’s not think about that yet, since we first hope for a sunny summer with cozy concerts on the Vrijthof. In the spring we will visit North America, Brazil, Chile, Denmark and Vienna.

Is that not going to be too much, I hear you say? Of course it is a lot, but I can handle it now much better since I have been working-out a lot. Especially the power lifting, that really suits me, it makes me stronger and fitter, it's like I'm ten years younger. I can really recommend it to everyone, it gives so much energy. I recently broke my own "deadlift" record: 110 kilos (242lbs)! I am very proud of that and it means that I can now lift my entire orchestra. One at a time of course ...

André Rieu

 Thanks to Ineke for sending this and John for Translating it.

André Rieu Rehearsal for Charity Show on Dutch TV

Together Against Childhood Cancer

"Together against childhood cancer" is a special live broadcast by the TROS, on Wednesday March 27, 2013, presented by Antoinette Hertsenberg. The viewers will be requested to contribute to the construction of the largest children's oncology center of Europe: the Princess Máxima Center in the Netherlands, near the city of Utrecht.  Antoinette Hertsenberg, together with children's oncologist Rob Pieters has visited the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennesee, USA, which is nowadays the only children's oncology center in the world. She will show us why this hospital will be the example for the Princess Máxima Center.  Many well-known Dutch artists will give their cooperation to this live broadcast. The singer Frans Bauer will be the mainstay of the young talents who will perform during the show. The singer takes the children under his care. He prepares them for their "moment of fame" and cares for them in the special green room when they come off the stage.  Six small violinists and saxophonists will join Andre Rieu and his orchestra. (Thanks to Ineke for the Translation of this.)

►Click HERE To See Photos of Rehearsal at André's Studio

Farewell Concert in Vancouver With Alice

2013 USA/Canada Tour

Farewell Concert in Vancouver With Alice

It was nice to see the updates and pics of concerts in the 2013 US/Canada Tour, and fans were getting more excited when the AR buses and trucks got closer and closer to our very own cities. Finally! The last stop of this tour, the day we sooo looked forward to.....Andre Rieu & the Johann Strauss Orchestra, Vancouver, Rogers Arena, March 20! YES!!!

► Click HERE To Read Alice's Concert Story With Photos 

San Jose Concert Photos by John

André Rieu Concert Photos From Ontario and Sacramento

Our Bobbie got the flowers in Sacramento!!

Click on the link below to see photos taken at the Sacramento, California Concert Tonight by John and photos taken in Ontario, California by Rick.

►Click HERE To See Photos From John and Rick

André Rieu To Perform During Kings Ball Amsterdam

André Rieu To Perform During Kings Ball in Amsterdam

Waltz king André Rieu will be one of the artists performing on the Museum Square during the King's Ball on April 30th. This was revealed during the Wednesday afternoon council meeting. Rieu will perform with an orchestra of one hundred members.The festivities at the Museum Square is being sponsored by the Postcode Lottery. 

Rieu is not the first big name connected with the Amsterdam festivities. It was also announced on Tuesday that DJ Armin van Buuren will perform together with the Concertbuilding Orchestra on Java Island. 

Buildings surrounding the Royal Palace and the IJ in Amsterdam will be draped in and alternate the red-white-and-blue colors during the changing of the throne ceremony on April 30th. Starting April 23rd, the city will commence the decorations in phases with flags, banners and posters in which a special design of the new king's initials "WA" are incorporated. 

Part of the city's decoration will be that of the former Shell Tower along the route of the royal procession. The city will also receive festive road signs in the same style. Click on Link below to read about all the festivities planned for the day. 

► Dutch To Crown New King With Massive Party

Thanks to John for the Translation.

André Rieu 1996 In Concert!

André Rieu 1996 Video "In Concert"

This concert was recorded on VHS tape on October 1st, 1996 in the Concert Building of the Dutch town of Haarlem. It includes exclusive interviews with André.  This "In Concert" VHS was his third VHS tape to be released in the Netherlands after "Strauss and Co" and "Wiener Melange". They are not for sale anymore.

 ►Click HERE To See The Full Concert on Ineke and Ruud's Website!

André Rieu and Paul Anka in Phoenix!

André just posted this on His Facebook Page.

On the way to Phoenix and Pierre just discovered there is wifi on board of this southwest flight. Isn't that amazing. Looking forward to work with Paul Anka tomorrow in Phoenix!!

André Rieu Concert in Orlando, Florida

André's Rieu Concert in Orlando, Florida

With Jennifer

The concert in Orlando last night was fantastic! The whole orchestra was there and they, André and the soloists performed with such verve and enthusiasm it was clear they were happy to be back on tour. 

Kimmy, Carmen and the Platin tenors were outstanding and really sang their hearts out. Kimmy has gained a lot of confidence with "Casta Diva" and sang that very difficult aria very beautifully. Carmen in "Habanera" was a wonder- seductive, flirtatious and humorous. Beautiful and great. 

Lots of jokes flying around about Orlando, and it was interesting that most of the audience was not from Orlando! Lots of people from Brazil, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Massachusetts etc. (haha). The elderly gentleman sitting next to me drove from Mississipi! I had a nice chat with Jorge and Marisol from Argentina. 

Pieces I had not heard performed before included "Sports Palace Waltz" and "Stars and Stripes Forever". 

The most inspiring part of a very inspiring evening was at the end when André announced from the stage that there was an American WWII vet in the audience who had helped liberate Maastricht in 1944. This gentleman was in his 90's, with his wife of 70+ years! André was clearly very appreciative, and the orchestra played "America the Beautiful" and "Stars and Stripes Forever." Very moving. 

Thanks again to André Rieu and the JSO for coming back to the US! ... Best to all, Jennifer

Photos added from André Rieu's Website 

André Rieu June 28th Ticket Sales March 9th 10:00AM

The VVV Maastricht  

June 28th Concert Tickets Onsale March 9th, 10:00 am VVV

VVV Maastricht is the official ticket outlet for the André Rieu Vrijthof concerts. On their website you can buy tickets for a terrace arrangement with one of the Vrijthof Entrepreneurs around the Square or extend your stay in Maastricht by booking an accommodation. ►VVV Website With Information and Ticket Sales

Thanks to John for sending this. 

Posted On André's Facebook Yesterday

Video of André Rieu on Fox and Friends After Show

André's Picture he Posted on his Twitter Right After Being on FOX and Friends Today.

►Click HERE To See André and JSO on The FOX Online After Show

André Rieu to Add Another Maastricht Concert?

Magical Maastricht Gives Way to Rieu

Maastricht by our Reporter: The Limburger: The normal 60 days the Vrijthof in Maastricht is being used for events per year is placing the Calendar of the city into difficulties. 

By not counting half of the festivals which take place on the square each year, the standard for the amount of festivals is now being adjusted to achieve the norm of sixty events. The opening of Magical Maastricht this year is being delayed by one day to make room for an extra Andre Rieu concert on Friday, June 28th. The idea of ​​the Maastricht world star to bring artists like Jermaine Jackson and Trini Lopez to the Vrijthof, is now already taken place. It appears that the orchestra leader knocked on the city council's door for an additional concert day in addition to the already six planned concerts for July. On the days in between the Rieu concerts, the stage will not be used, says the municipality. The reason? Sixty days is the norm.

Thanks to John and Ineke for this. 

André Rieu With Special Guest Paul Anka in Phoenix!!

André Rieu and His Johann Strauss Orchestra

Special guest appearance by legendary singer songwriter Paul Anka

March 5, 2013: Experience the thrill of the waltz as superstar violinist André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra delight with their energetic live show as part of this And the Waltz Goes On tour. This date of the tour also features a special guest appearance by pop crooner Paul Anka! Dubbed by the media the "Modern King of Waltz," Rieu is celebrated for the brilliant, festive atmosphere he brings to his concerts, encouraging fans to enjoy the music by getting up out of their seats and dancing in the aisles. Rieu's lively orchestral presentations, in tandem with his exuberant personality, have attracted worldwide audiences to this subgenre of classical music.

►Comerica Theatre (400 West Washington StPhoenix, AZ 85003