Rieu: Preferably One Sip Of a Good Red Wine

Rieu: Preferably One Sip Of a Good Red Wine

Seventeen years after his last concert on the Onze Lieve Vrouwe plein (Our Dear Lady's Square) André Rieu and his entire Orchestra will return there albeit for only thirty minutes. From Argentina the orchestra leader let it be known that he would love to perform longer. "If possible, but not for three hours."

Maastricht by Ronald Colée - "It is not always the best" André says laughingly on the telephone from Buenos Aires. "It is the same with wine. I am happier with a sip of a good red wine, than an entire bottle of port. " The Maastricht orchestra leader is currently in the Argentine capital where he and his Johann Strauss Orchestra are performing six concerts in the Luna Park Stadium, while referring to the free mini concert which he will perform on the Onze Lieve Vrouwe Plein (Our Dear Lady's Square) in Maastricht on 30 September.

"I was approached by the broadcasting company 'Max' and they asked me if I wanted to close the Maastricht week of the "Time" by the MAX caravan with a concert on the Vrijthof. I did not see that materialize. I just finished seven concerts in a row there for 18,000 people per concert. That square is too large for a program like this. In addition I know what it entails to perform a concert like that. Just think about all the preparations for instance, but also the closing off traffic. That is why I suggested to change to the Our Dear Lady's Square. That is much more intimate and cozier. Initially it was not possible, but in the end it became reality."

Complete Orchestra

Rieu does not expect that the surprise performance will lead to a stampede. "This concert is in no way comparable to a Vrijthof concert, even though we are performing with an entire orchestra. A Vrijthof concert lasts three hours, this one only forty minutes, including an introductory conversation. So that will actually only leave us thirty minutes." If it was up to the orchestra leader, he would like to play a little longer. "But I understood from my studio manager that there would be another broadcast by MAX right after mine. So I think we can only play at the most for an additional fifteen to twenty minutes." For lovers of his Vrijthof series who were hoping this would become a yearly event, the orchestra leader has to disappoint them.

One Time

"I am now 66 and have always said that I will live to be 120, so I will go on with the Vrijthof for a while longer" Rieu laughs. "Or it could be that broadcast station MAX is going to ask us every year. But that is not the case. I see this as a onetime event where I can show the rest of the Netherlands the most beautiful Our Dear Lady's Square in the world. I like to linger there when I am in town. I just hope it will become a cozy half hour. And I am not at all worried about the weather. Because when I and my orchestra perform in Maastricht it is always good weather."

Thanks to John for the article and the Translation of it.