Nov 9, 2008

A Showpiece For Dutch Treat André Rieu

It's That Big!
Andre Rieu's Son Pierre Oversees Stage Construction

FOOTBALL and soccer was a thing of the past at Telstra Dome yesterday as Dutch violinist superstar Andre Rieu's massive stage began to take shape.

Rieu will entertain an expected total of 90,000 people at the Dome on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night on a stage fit for a king. He brought along a small town with him to put the stage and show together -- 500 people in total.
The Viennese palace theme includes a 600m ice rink and the staging is so heavy the underground car park had to be reinforced. His crew is working around the clock to get the stage set. Each show in Australia costs $5.6 million to stage.
"Everyone said, 'You're crazy' -- especially the bank," Rieu, 59, told the Herald Sun last week. He defended charging fans $1250 to meet him after his concerts. "Meeting the artist at an after-party is something special. That's not for the masses, that's for the ones who can pay it," he said.
Rieu's entourage includes a bodyguard for his 1667 Stradivarius violin.
He will perform today at Federation Square for Channel 9's Today show in three small concerts from 7.40am.

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