André Rieu Statue Temporarily in Townhouse

André Rieu Statue Temporarily in Townhouse

The bronze statue of André Rieu, created by Russian artist Alexander Taratynov, is temporarily housed at the Townhouse Hotel on the Sint Maartenslaan in Maastricht. That is what the new owner Leon Maes of Maes properties revealed. Maes, who along with his brother Michael govern a real estate company, bought the statue from Taratynov, who, acting on his own initiative, created the statue in 2009. Ever since then it has been stored in the artist’s studio. "We think a lot of fans will want a picture of the statue, especially around Rieu’s Vrijthof concerts. "Then the Townhouse Hotel is a nice place for it," says Leon Maes.

The bronze, full size statue will remain in the hotel for three months. Afterwards it will be moved to a new location, of which Maes will not divulge its location. "But it will again be placed in a special place."

©Translation by John and thank you to Ineke for article

Andrea Bocelli to Perform With André Rieu Maastricht

ANDREA BOCELLI TO PERFORM WITH ANDRÉ RIEU

RTL Boulevard - June 10, 2014: Last year André Rieu saw just about every continent on his world tour. The violinist has just returned to the Netherlands, and is preparing for a new series of concerts on the Vrijthof in Maastricht next month. And with a very special guest!

World Star or not, every year the world star holds July free from his agenda. He then plays "the roof off" the Vrijthof every evening in his beloved city of Maastricht. In October, the maestro reaches his retirement age, but is not thinking about hanging up his bow any time soon. "I'm not going to celebrate big, like, I'm going to sit behind the geraniums," according to what André Rieu told RTL Boulevard.

The violin virtuoso is looking forward to the concerts in "his" Maastricht. And this year the concerts will have an Italian flair. "Yes, with Andrea Bocelli and maybe Zucchero so ..........?"  

Our Thanks to John for the ©Translation

Holiday Inn Vilnius ~ June 3, 2014

First time ever an André Rieu Guide to Maastricht

CHAPEAU
The good life in Limburg and the European region
André Rieu Guide
In collaboration with André Rieu, we will be creating the official André Rieu guide.

For the first time ever an André Rieu Guide will appear this summer which will be produced by Chapeau Magazine in cooperation with André Rieu Productions.

It will be a City Guide in English outlining to the thousands of foreign visitors coming to the Vrijthof concerts what Maastricht and its surroundings have to offer. The André Rieu Guide will have the same dimensions and appearance as the now famous TEFAF Guide. In this pocket-sized guide André Rieu will give his own tips with fun places and addresses to visit throughout the city. They will be supplemented by tips from the editors of Chapeau. In addition, attention is paid to the history of the city, tourist information etc, etc.

The visitors to the Vrijthof concerts are increasingly coming from abroad, from South America to Australia. These people make a special trip to see André Rieu perform in his own city. While they stay several days in the city, they have a lot of time outside the concert to sightsee, go shopping, visit restaurants and the like.

15,000 Copies of the guide will be produced. Of these, 8,000 will be going to the foreign guests who have purchased special VIP packages with André Rieu Productions. The André Rieu Guide will be part of a special goody bag which these people will receive. 

The remainder will be provided to the VVV (Tourist Office), hotels, restaurants and other prominent locations for distribution. The guide is also available to those who have a paid subscription with the Chapeau Magazine. For the Maastricht and Euro region entrepreneurs, this is a unique opportunity to reach their foreign guests.

©Translation by John

Thank you Ineke for this article

Maastricht Fan Dinner and Picnic 2014

Maastricht 2014 Concerts, Fan Dinner and Picnics

Just to warm you up for Maastricht July 2014! We like to show you our craft works at home to prepare the fan events: Alice Leung from Vancouver Canada made the decoration flags for the fan dinner. Ruth Morgan from Lake Tahoe, Nevada-USA made the jubilee buttons for the attendees of the fan dinner and fan picnics. And I made the new banners for the Hotel DuCasque façade. If you visit Maastricht for the first time and you like to receive a Maastricht city map, please let me know ... Ineke

Two Banners For The Front of The DuCasque

Banner For The Front of The Fan Dinner Boat

 ►Click HERE For ALL Information On Maastricht Fan Dinner and Picnics

Pierre Rieu: Vice President of André Rieu Productions

Pierre Rieu: Vice President of André Rieu Productions

Why Outstanding Persons Excel
An innate predisposition you might say, but talent alone is not enough. 
Even more important are the factors of luck and the ability to work very hard. Don’t you want to excel?

Pierre Rieu (32) is responsible for the organization of the worldwide concerts.

(I call it being second fiddle) to his father André.  

"I always wanted to work in our company. When I was a youngster of three I moved the piano stool all over the living room. After studying for a law degree for a few weeks - while in the meantime I was travelling full time with the orchestra – I became fully involved. I started reorganizing the technical aspects: erecting, tearing down and logistics. When my father finely introduced me to my co-workers as their new boss, I soiled my pants: you have to prove you are capable; you have to be able to bring out the best in them. Besides, I remain calm in stressful situations: we never yell here. Because I do not view it as a job, it is easy to spend many hours in it. It is also the only way to learn the job. There are no vice-president schools; you just have to work hard. That drive I recognize in many others too. Often when someone walks in for a job interview, I can sense whether they work out or not. In the meantime I am being royally received by for instance the big boss of SKY TV in England. Of course being "the son of’ has something to do with that, but I do produce some good deals. My next ambition? To learn another language. I do speak five of them. I just need to decide whether it is going to be Spanish or Italian."

©Translation by John
Thanks to Ineke for the article

A Venue At Home Would Be a Dream For Rieu

A Venue At Home Would Be a Dream

De Limburger, by: Stefan Gybels and John Hoofs

The last in a three part article.

The successes which no one expected of the Rieu concerts on the Vrijthof, shall this July present a beautiful tenth birthday celebration. Such a first decade is also a good time to take a look beyond. The result? The idea for a Rieu dome is still alive.

The correspondance which Pierre Rieu mailed three weeks ago from Asia leaves nothing to be desired in clarity. Asked about the future plans of his father André in Maastricht, the business leader of the music business reveals the following: "It’s not very realistic that in the next ten years we will still be travelling this same pace throughout the world." To give you an idea of what Pierre means by that: "Wednesday André Rieu and his entourage were playing in Prague, today is Lódz’s turn, and tomorrow Gdansk. The tour is then scheduled to perform in Herning, Odensee, Copenhagen, Malmo, Geneva, Zurich, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz, Graz, Vienna, Budapest, Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn and Helsinki. Then ten concerts follow in July on the Vrijthof, after which Rieu and company in the autumn will make the crossing over to Brazil, where five performances are scheduled in São Paulo. The agenda for the rest of this year until the end of December still reflects to include shows in Istanbul, Belfast, Dublin, Liverpool, Leeds, London, Manchester, Glasgow, Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Cologne. 

For the Maastricht world star, this is a top sport, which a few years ago demanded too much from his body and took him out of the running for a time. A warning which Rieu and his entourage are taking to heart. Continueing on at a punishing pace is like asking for new problems. Hence the serious look at reversing the formula. No more intensive trips to his fans all over the world, but bring the fans here. "André will be 65 years old this year, and in his own words will live to be 120, so there is not a single hair on his head that thinks about quitting. But still, we are busy with plans to perform more in the Maastricht region", says Pierre Rieu. "We are toying with the idea of building of a sort of a Maastricht-André Rieu Dome here in the region. The closest good concert halls are either in Cologne, Brussels, the Ahoy or the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam. A negative for the region. "Seven years ago it seemed like a permanent playground for André Rieu would be at our fingertips when musical tycoon Joop van den Ende stated that he wanted to build a theater, hotel, shops and bars at the inner harbor "'t Bassin" in Maastricht. In combination with a gambling center of U.S. magnitude, Maastricht would take a giant step on the substantial ladder of internationalization of the region. A lot was dreamed aloud about the integration of the Rieu concerts, including an exercise room for the violinist and conductor, to be visited by his fans during a humorous Rieu type tour through the city.

Due to all sorts of complications it never materialized, but that does not mean that the dream of a local concert stage for the stand-alone-violinist no longer exists. Former Mayor Gerd Leers of Maastricht confirms this; he was the person who gave the last push to have Rieu perform on the Vrijthof. "It would be very nice if the city would offer its greatest artist a permanent venue the moment he stops traveling around the world." According to Leers there are parties who are seriously looking for such a place. Leers' successor Onno Hoes would have no objection, would a chance arise. On the contrary. He is all praise about Rieu: "Every year he brings tens of thousands of people here, all who spend money in Maastricht. As a city, you then need to roll out the red carpet. What is so special is that Rieu is in accord with this city. He went to primary school here, to the baker’s, to the sports club. For many Maastricht citizens who know him, he is still the same André from before, while in the meantime he has become an absolute world star. "Hoes confesses that he is very surprised that the brand name Rieu has not further been developed by enterprising Maastricht. "Maybe we still need to wait for I don’t know, many more years, when Rieu will really become great. Which is probably after he has been dead for a long time." Much to the chagrin of Benoit Wesly, who helped André Rieu in making the Vrijthof concerts a success. "If Hoes says Rieu is likely to really be honored after his death, then he is well on his way to becoming a true Maastricht citizen. Always advancing. The city needs to act now and fast. Maastricht needs to entice Rieu, seduce him. To start with, put on a large Rieu festival. The city needs to take that risk. I keep finding it idiotic that name of Rieu was not linked to the candidacy of Maastricht as the Capital of Culture. If in that instance would we have then received that title, I do not know, but our chances would have been greater." Gerd Leers too is speaking about a festival. "Ten years of Rieu on the Vrijthof naturally is fantastic, but that does not mean that you have to keep thinking about renewals. A festival around the Rieu concerts for example. Let artists use the podium during the day when André does not perform. In that manner you can also serve other groups." The problem however, is the normal use of the Vrijthof as an event location.

Pierre Rieu: "We, along with the city have often thought about a festival. Time after time we have come to the conclusion that we should not do that. Now we create a unique atmosphere in the inner city which is completely generated by one person, André Rieu. We would lose that if we were to work with other artists during the week. In addition we would also cut our own throat, because every day that the Vrijthof is used counts towards the 60-day use rule for the square." Time to get Piet Nelissen involved, the man who on behalf of all urban residents has been warning us for years about the increasing flow of visitors which causes event crowds and nuisances of "Maastricht the amusement park." Nelissen praises Rieu in detail as a "benefactor for the city," calls him "a modern God" who has generously equipped the hotels, shops and especially the Vrijthof Caterings with Rieu Euros ". In summary: "Chapeau!" Nelissen also provides a critical note for the success of the Vrijthof concerts. The fact that Rieu lays claim to the Vrijthof for five weeks every year is for Nelissen actually impossible: "It's a travesty that the character of the Vrijthof with its iconic cultural heritage is affected by a tsunami of events for nearly half of the year, and in almost all cases they do nothing for its character. As if there are no other alternative locations in our beautiful city which are better suited for certain events." Nelissen advocates a major cleaning, which will return the square again to its rightful place, a place for meetings." What to think about André Rieu performing on Mount Saint Peter or in his own open-air theater in the ENCI (First Dutch Cement Company) quarry?

©Translation by John 

The Future of Rieu's Maastricht Concerts

The Future

Fans to a permanent place in the region?

Maastricht May 9, 2014 - De Limburger, by Stefan Gybels and John Hoofs: In July André Rieu celebrates the tenth anniversary of his Vrijthof concerts. He will then with his Johann Strauss Orchestra give his fiftieth performance and is expected to welcome the 500,000th visitor. In a three part series, this newspaper outlines the growth and impact of the event for the city and region. *Today, the final episode: how to continue after this milestone?

The Vrijthof concerts have become a giant money machine for the city and region, and will have surpassed the seventy million Euro turnover at the end of the concert series this summer. How long will the party last? Which ideas are still alive to continue to build on his formula? What does Rieu himself want? Clever marketing around the world aids to the sprawling popularity of the violinist and conductor and attracts more and more people from distant places, fans who at least once would like to widely experience a hometown concert of their idol in their lives. Last year, 45 percent of the visitors came from outside the Benelux. This number is expected to further increase. It is an interesting aspect regarding the future of the event.

*(The third and final article will be posted on the Harmony Parlor this weekend).

Thank you John for the ©Translation
(In the photo are: Jim/USA - Arie/Holland - Al/Canada

ANDRÉ RIEU TEN YEARS ON THE VRIJTHOF

ANDRÉ RIEU TEN YEARS ON THE VRIJTHOF

De Limburger, by Stefan Gybels and John Hoofs (Part 2 of 3)

Hotel owners, tour operators, laundries, restaurants, shops, taxi industry, security guards, traffic controllers: really everyone benefits when André Rieu is in town. The Vrijthof concerts yielded the city and the region tens of millions in additional revenues.

"People will always pay for quality."

Guests of the NH Hotel Randwyck who are waiting at the entrance for the bus which will take them to the Vrijthof for a Rieu concert, invariably receive a printed copy of the Maastricht Anthem lyrics. "Is he going to play that?" they ask the expectantly staff members. The standard answer: "When the public is good, he’ll play it." NH - manager Antoine Scheerens knows how to provide his guests in a simple manner with an anticipation of pleasure. He loves doing it because Scheerens cherishes the month of July, since André Rieu started performing on the Vrijthof. As president of the Cooperating Hotels Organization of Maastricht he knows like no other the economic value of the living room performances of the violinist.

Because of Rieu, July has become the second month for the hotel industry 
Antoine Scheerens, NH Hotels

"Because of Rieu, July has become the second most important month for the hotel industry after the TEFAF month of March. The prices are indeed a bit higher, but in terms of occupancy we do better with Rieu. Prior to the Vrijthof concerts July was a slow month, but now all hotels are full, often far into surroundings .The average hotel room in Maastricht in July was 80 Euros per night, now it is 150 Euros. Just figure how much extra revenue that brings in: 2000 hotel rooms that bring in an additional 70 Euros a night. That yields almost half a million in additional revenue. "Whoever is looking for reliable financial data over and from the Vrijthof concerts will come to a rude and cold awakening. Archives and Internet research do not give any guidance in order to make any calculations using a wet finger.

Nevertheless, we are making an attempt, starting with the income Rieu generated during the past ten years. He claims to be greeting the 500,000th concertgoers in July. In 2005, in the beginning, a ticket cost 50 Euros. In the meantime packets of hundreds of Euros are being offered which include hotel stays, tours and other extras. If we average the price of a ticket for the last decade at 60 Euros, we're talking about 30 million Euros. If it is true that a hotel stay yields 150 Euros, and Rieu fills 2000 rooms and that ten times for every summer, we are talking about three million Euros. These visitors still have to eat and shop.

In terms of occupation and guests the concerts are similar to the TEFAF; with Rieu we are full for ten days with the TEFAF only the first week. 
Antoine Scheerens

Businessman Benoit Wesly, who is closely involved with the Rieu concerts, estimates that every concertgoer stays at least one overnight in Maastricht, and spends between 300 and 400 Euros. "I 'm sure that the businesses do better with Rieu than during the TEFAF. "The municipality of Maastricht calculates that the average amount a tourist spends per day is 200 Euros and day trippers spend 60 Euros per day.

In July in Maastricht a room costs 80 Euros, now an average of 150 Euros. Do the math and see what that yields extra. 
Antoine Scheerens.

The economic value of a Rieu concert – with one hundred percent occupancy of all the Vrijthof Seats – is estimated at 680,000 Euros. With three concerts we are talking about one and a half to two million in additional spending, reports spokesperson Math Wijnands. How high those unutilized amounts have risen since the start in 2005, can now only be found in the stars. Fifty concerts at an average of 600,000 Euros is unrealistic, since the earlier years did not yield the financial amounts being yielded now. But between ten and twenty million not a bad guess. Yet another plus: the Vrijthof Entrepreneurs benefit with special terrace arrangements along with the Rieu Concerts.

When in England a Rieu Christmas show has aired; I am convinced that Maastricht therefore gets more English visitors.
Onno Hoes, Mayor of Maastricht

In exchange for their participation on the square – which is from wall to wall - they are allowed to keep their profits. Benoit Wesly: "Hotels pay a commission in order to use the name Rieu, while the Vrijthof Entrepreneurs do not pay a cent. In fact, it provides them nothing but money. Assuming 200 seats per terrace, that will provide them a 20,000 Euro turnover in sales per evening. Take an average of six concerts per year over a ten year period and you're talking about 1.2 million per terrace. Rieu delivers them more in turnover than in the entire first quarter of the year. "Not be underestimated: the public which comes to the Vrijthof concerts is increasingly becoming international." The concerts are becoming increasingly popular, especially abroad, "said Pierre Rieu, the business leader of the company." Our fans call the Maastricht performances Hometown Concerts. It is the concert where they have to be at least once in their live.

The Vrijthof concerts supply the Vrijthof Entrepreneurs more income than the entire first quarter of the year.
Benoit Wesly, businessman

These are also the only outdoor concerts we still do worldwide." Last year, 45 percent of concertgoers came from outside the Benelux. (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxemburg)" Benoit Wesly adds: "Rieu attracts 15,000 Brits alone. More and more foreign fans come to the concerts and less and less of Maastricht citizens. I can understand it best that after three concerts, they have seen it. In their place busloads of Japanese people come. I know of some who have occupied the same chair for ten years. "Ten years of Rieu concerts means– again an estimate - a total of seven months of a sealed off and fenced in Vrijthof.

I suddenly saw the Saint Peter’s berg pass on American television. When you have to buy that for the city as a promotion, it is not worth it.
Benoit Wesly, businessman

The commercial use of the square must be paid for. What did the municipality collect from Rieu? Last year he paid 35,000 Euros. That is to say, only for the hours that he played music and just for the stage. For all the days that the Vrijthof was unavailable, he paid nothing for the simple reason that this was part of the Regulation contract. Ten years of Rieu provided the town an expected amount of less than 200,000 Euros, in which part of it is returned back in the form of concert tickets for family members of the city council. Compared to the tens of millions of turnover, it is just a pittance. And after all, there is still frustration about the amount of what Rieu - however small that is - pays for the Vrijthof. Benoit Wesly: "André Rieu conquered the world and Maastricht conquered it right along. Wherever he goes, he speaks about Maastricht, Maastricht, Maastricht. That promotional value is unprecedented and cannot be expressed in amounts. If you have to buy your way through town as a promotion, it is unaffordable. Other cities would spend millions to lure Rieu and his concerts. In Maastricht he has to pay the municipal rates and the electric bills for the use Vrijthof."

30 Million is the estimated amount of Sales of André Rieu concerts after his 50th Vrijthof performance this coming summer. This is based on a price of 60 Euros per average for a ticket.

©Translation by John

André Rieu Shows Are Lucrative

Rieu Shows Are Lucrative

MAASTRICHT CONCERTS

Ten years of performances on the Vrijthof totaling sales of more than 70 million

De Limburger. By: Stephan Gybels and John Hoofs: MAASTRICHT - When André Rieu packs away his violin after his last Vrijthof Concert on July 20, 2014 he, with his popular music shows in the heart of Maastricht for the past ten years, has provided for a turnover of more than 70 million Euros. This is a conservative estimate based on interviews with the experts.

During the tenth year anniversary of his Vrijthof concerts, Rieu will conduct his fiftieth performance and expects the 500,000th visitor. Just for his own company the violinist and conductor realized a turnover in sales of at least 30 million. Using that amount, the average price of a ticket is based at 60 Euros and multiplied by 500,000 concert-goers. There are of course huge costs associated with the orchestra and stage construction.

The financial story does not stop with Rieu alone

The hotel industry benefits plenty by his concerts. According to Antoine Scheerens, foreman the Cooperating Hotels Maastricht and manager of the Maastricht NH Hotels, July is the best month in terms of sales for the year right after the TEFAF Maastricht during the month of March. All thanks to Rieu. Normally a room in July costs an average of 80 Euros, but since Rieu’s performances on the Vrijthof, the price has increased to 150 Euros. Every concert can account for 2000 booked rooms, which converts to 300,000 Euros.

André Rieu will perform ten concerts this year. That amounts to a 3 million Euro turnover for the hotels alone in 2014. Businessman Benoit Wesly estimates that Rieu fans staying in Maastricht spend between 300 and 400 Euros in pubs and stores. The municipality of Maastricht keeps it on a more conservative estimate and figures 200 Euros per day per tourist. According to a spokesperson one concert delivers between 500,000 and 700,000 Euros in additional revenues, depending on the number of concert-goers. That would mean that fifty concerts in ten years time brought in 30 million Euros ... All in all a conservative estimated, Rieu generated amount of more than 70 million Euros.

©Translation by John

André Rieu expects to greet his half-millionth fan this summer!

It was like swearing in church and it became a goldmine

André Rieu expects to greet his half-millionth fan this summer during the decade of concerts on the Vrijthof, the living room from his hometown of Maastricht. A staggering number, which no one took into consideration when it all started in 2005.

In a three part series, the Limburger Newspaper outlines the growth and impact of the event for the city and the region. Today Part 1: How it all began in the Roda Stadium in Kerkrade - by Stefan Gybels en John Hoofs.

In 2004 Maastricht ex-mayor Gerd Leers was invited by his colleague Kerkrade Mayor Mr. Jos Som to the Parkstad Limburg Stadium to attend an André Rieu concert. The violinist and conductor had already been working for several years to conquer the world. Leers had been following that with interest. He did not know Rieu personally yet and was introduced to him and his entourage by Som after the performance. I told André on that occasion: "What you're doing here is like swearing in church. How is it possible that you - with all due respect – perform here in the Roda Stadium, and not in Maastricht?" I was then told that he had been busy for years to accomplish that, but was not successful. I then asked him if I could dare to attempt that. The rest is history as they say. Rieu wanted the entire Vrijthof at his disposal, but ran into resistance with the Vrijthof Entrepreneurs who could not envision that. Leers convinced them of the common interest and on July 9, 2005 Rieu conducted his first Vrijthof concert in the living room of his hometown. Jean Jacobs, formerly city councilman for Economic Affairs and Events in Maastricht, confirms that Rieu was running around with plans for the Vrijthof concerts. The city council was immediately enthusiastic, he added.

We have greatest artist in the world, on the best square in the world.
Mayor Onno Hoes

Jacobs' former colleague John Aarts confirms this. Why it did not work and whether Leers eventually pried things loose is unclear. Entrepreneur Benoit Wesly, friend of Rieu, claims not to know the reason: "They did not want him in Maastricht, that is why he performed in Kerkrade. There was little atmosphere and it appeared cold in that stadium. Afterwards contact was indeed established between Rieu and Leers. But Leers says that if he was the determining factor, he very much underestimated the person Rieu. André states: "The first plan was made for a concert on the St. Pieter, but it ultimately became the Vrijthof. There were difficult conversations with Hotel-Cafe owners around the square, but I do not think that they are sorry now."

That the Vrijthof concerts would become so gigantic, we never would have imagined.

Pierre Rieu, son of André who was involved from the start of the Vrijthof concerts, confirms that statement. "It took a lot of effort with all entrepreneurs to convince them that the concerts would be good for everyone. In addition, the closing of the Vrijthof - one of our conditions – was basically not allowed. Gerd Leers finally forced his demand and ensured that concerts could be held. They are forever grateful to him. "There are more people in the city benefitting, since the Rieu concerts proved in more ways than one to be a huge gold mine, which revealed even greater discoveries. You do not need to be dealing with a mathematician to figure out with a wet finger that Rieu, hotel owners, innkeepers, shopkeepers, ticket sellers, tour operators, security firms and other companies realized profits in the tens of millions of Euros due to the the concerts. No one who was present there in 2005 when the first and only concert of that summer took place, could have imagined that.

"What Rieu means to Maastricht, is unprecedented", finds former city councilman Jacobs. He does not only view the financial side of the concerts, but also the quality of what is offered and especially the audiences which Rieu attracts. "A public that belongs to Maastricht, at the level that the city pursues. People in their best dress go to the concerts; fans come from far away, often staying for several days." Antoine Scheerens, the foreman of the Cooperating Hotels Maastricht, had no idea what he could expect in 2005 at one of Rieu’s concerts on the Vrijthof. "We thought about a kind of Preuvenemint. Nice, but especially nice for the people of Maastricht themselves. 

That it would turn out so huge, we could never have imagined that. "Yet in the earlier years there was a time when we were playing with fire. On some of the hotel terraces around the Vrijthof there arose, due to overly exuberant alcohol use, a jolly and noisy atmosphere, which disturbed the concerts. To top it off, even a brawl occurred. Gerd Leers: "We came together with entrepreneurs and agreed on a type of behavioral protocol. There were rules to which everyone had to adhere. That is why I had to knock some heads together with the entrepreneurs. "This has to stop," I told them. Otherwise we kill the goose that lays the golden eggs."

There was still a sore point that gradually through the years began to come into play: the yearly tax of the Vrijthof as an event site. Maastricht has been struggling for years with the normal standard for maximum use, which has been adjusted a few times in order to allow more parties and celebrations. Jean Jacobs: "When we decided to roll out the red carpet for André Rieu, we in the city council also agreed to make choices. Other events had to be cancelled from the Vrijthof. We had to choose quality. That had never happened before. Nonetheless: Rieu on the Vrijthof has been the right choice. The man is of world quality. You do not hide him on Square 1992.

 "This summer Rieu will give ten concerts on the Vrijthof, a record." Mayor Onno Hoes had to ask the City Council to make an additional concert day available, since the standard of events was again being stretched. A very remarkable state of affairs, found Hoes. "We have the greatest artist in the world on the most beautiful square in the world. No other city has that." Benoit Wesly shares in the annoyance with Hoes: "The mayor almost had to beg the city council for that additional concert, and almost had to get down on his knees to beg André if he would please provide for an additional performance. We are talking here about the Ambassador of the city and here we are whining about an extra concert day. Maastricht does not know what it is holding in its hands. Other cities would spend millions in order to bring in Rieu. When I see all those who receive a city medal, I wonder what the city council will ever give Rieu. Where's that street name? Why is there not a building named Rieu? It is time for the city to do something in return.

©Translation by John

Rieu Gathering Dust

 Rieu Gathering Dust 

The Limburger by Stefan Gybels/John Hoofs: In 2009 the Russian artist Alexander Taratynov on his own initiative created a life size bronze statue of André Rieu that is now collecting dust in Nazareth.

Between the tails of his coat and the upper leg of the bronze poured statue of violinist and orchestra leader André Rieu (that is located in the studio hallway of the Russian artist Alexander Taratynov) cobwebs are visible. Which is logical in a dusty environment.

The nameplate of the artist and the year of creation (2009) can be found inside. Taratynov has been trying ever since, without results, to find a place for it in Maastricht, but now it seems he may have found a buyer. He does not want to reveal who the interested party for the bronze Rieu is, which he fashioned by hand from concert recordings and photographs. 

There is no doubt about the likeness. Whoever views the statue knows exactly who it portrays. According to Taratynov, Rieu said the same when he saw a picture of the statue. It was once displayed in a public area, but has never had a permanent place. And all the while, the city of Maastricht is very thankful to the orchestra leader since his Vrijthof concerts bring an enormous economic to the city.

In July Rieu for the tenth year in a row will again perform on the Vrijthof. His fiftieth performance with his orchestra on the Maastricht square will be held there. He expects to welcome the 500,000th visitor since his concert series started on 9 July 2005.

©Translation by John

Enlarged from André's Page

André Rieu and the musicians exuded passion and fervour on stage.

André Rieu in Concert | 4.5/5

André Rieu and his Johannes Strauss Orchestra 

offered a memorable night for all

SINGAPORE April 16, 2014 by Paul Lim:  Imagine beautiful women clad in elaborate pretty dresses swaying and singing, opera singers belting notes out of this world. A backdrop filled with majestic chandeliers and melodious sounds flowing from violins and flutes. And as if that was not enough, hundreds of colourful balloons falling from the sky.

That was how it was at the concert by violinist/conductor Andre Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra. Held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Wednesday, the concert was attended by people from different walks of life, all anticipating a memorable night. Honestly, I was dreading a long night. The show was two hours and 45 minutes long, but it turned out to be the exact opposite — I didn’t want it to end.

Rieu’s tour last year made it into Billboard’s Top 25 highest-earning tours list (beating out the likes of Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, by the way) and no wonder. He charmed the crowd with his charismatic and mischievous personality. When the crowd demanded an encore, Rieu quipped: “You are tired, you need to sleep!”
Accompanied by his orchestra, Rieu played classic songs like The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss II and Memory from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats on his Stradivarius violin, exuding passion and fervour.

“Apparently, there is a healing power in music; nothing goes as deep into your souls as music. I hope that I can go on making music together with my orchestra the rest of my life,” said Rieu. Too true.

I was thoroughly engaged throughout the performance. My personal favourite was the act by Brazilian soloist Carla Maffioletti, who gave an impressive and hilarious performance, while dressed as a doll. Other opera singers included Mirusia Lowerse and The Platin Tenors. Their voices were all marvellous and gave me goosebumps.

It was no surprise that the performance received a standing ovation. The only problem I had with the concert was the location. The Singapore Indoor Stadium doesn’t quite offer the right ambience — it could have been a lot better if it was held at a different theatre perhaps — and the acoustics and sound quality could have been more solid.

Apart from that, André Rieu and his orchestra were a brilliant sight to behold.

André Rieu Does Not Need To Be Successful in Russia Yet

André Rieu Does Not Need To Be Successful in Russia Yet

Wednesday April 16, 2014: André Rieu does not need to be on the fast road to success in Russia yet. The violinist, who is still a rather unknown there, is trying to very quietly waltz into this country. "Since I am going to live to 120, there is still plenty of time for that" says the 64 year old Rieu.

The musician has already been performing in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and South America. "A year only has 365 days, and this year I will turn 65. Currently we perform about 120 concert in a year," Rieu explains. "Many more concerts is just not possible. If we do not make it this year, than there is always next year."

Last week Rieu tried to bring China to their feet. Tuesday and Saturday the violinist was on stage in that country and hopes that these shows will be the beginning of a successful career in Asia. "I would enjoy being able to perform here more frequently. When I am here, we try to promote us as much as possible." The king of the waltz also hopes that his concerts will be televised in Asia. "That is the most important that needs to happen."

Very Exciting

The first performances in China were very exciting for Rieu. "You never know how the people are going to react, and whether they like what we do or not," he further explains. According to the violinist, the Chinese fans seemed to enjoy themselves. "I did not know what to expect from the public, especially not in China. But the worries were in vain."

Rieu finds the public's energy very important when he is on stage. "I stand in contrast to a regular director, not with my back to the public, but face them. I see the public the entire evening and they see me," he explains."The interaction with them is crucial in the success of the evening. And every evening it is again exciting when we are able to achieve that."

Although the violinist was excited to perform in China, the preparations for the concerts were nothing more than normal. "Just to ensure that I was one hundred percent in charge."

And the nerves are always present with Rieu. "I always ask myself before I go on stage why I never learned a trade. Still even before the home concerts on the Vrijthof." 

©Translation by John, and thanks to Ineke for sending us this article.

April 2014 ~ André in Shanghai

MaryAnn Passes From Us ...

For those of you who knew her and loved her, there is no easy way to say that MaryAnn has passed away. She left nothing but happiness and love in our hearts. I will miss her so much as I know many of you will ... See you on the other side MaryAnn ... Love and laughter always. Sue

►Click HERE To Read The Story Behind The Photo

Reading From One's Own Bookshelf

Reading From One’s Own Bookshelf

The Limburger-André Rieu: Because I've been married for almost 40 years to a woman who was formerly a teacher of German and Italian at the Porta Mosana College (formerly the Jeanne D’Arc Lyceum) in Maastricht, our bookcase is largely filled with German and Italian literature. Many books about Rome, the city where we prefer to go in our spare time. And then of course, in the broadest sense of the word a lot, of literature on music. And of course many about the Strauss family. An entire shelf filled with Karl May and Tin-tin, the heroes of my youth.

In recent years the children's books department of course has grown, because I love to read to my grandchildren. Historical novels for me are my favorites. By reading about other times you gain a perspective about the times in which we live.

Ken Follett is currently my favorite. Sometimes I read his books one after the other ... Preferably on long trips in the bus or on the plane. But for example, I was also very impressed by "The Cloister and the Hearth" a wonderful novel by Charles Reade, which is about the life of Erasmus’ parents and plays in the 15th century.

I find reading to be a wonderful way of relaxation. But at the same time I am a very curious and interested human being. I always want to know everything precisely, am interested in different time periods, but also the future in all its engineering and aerospace, physics, astronomy, new inventions.

I do not have an e-reader yet. When I am at home I read paper books, and when I am on the road I prefer my I-phone, which is always with me.

Thanks to Ineke for this and John's ©Translation