André Rieu Takes A Bow as Neighbours Pulls Strings

The Man Is Having Fun Downunder!

VIOLIN maestro André Rieu took his musical magic and sense of humour to the suburbs as he filmed scenes for Neighbours yesterday.
Rieu was invited to appear on the long-running soap after he surprised his audience with a rendition of the Neighbours theme tune at his Melbourne concert a fortnight ago. The Dutchman with the flying fingers instantly agreed to the cameo, and changed his schedule to fit in the shoot just a few hours before flying to New Zealand last night.
And he was clearly happy with his decision to head to Vermont South, joking with cast and crew between takes. He even placed his rare $11 million Stradivarius between the show's clapboard.

In his episode, to screen in April, Rieu appears as himself, having met Stefan Dennis's character Paul Robinson on a flight to Australia from Europe. Rieu serenades Paul and his on off love interest Rebecca Napier, played by Jane Hall, before fellow Neighbours characters join them in Ramsay St, where they dance to the Viennese Waltz and Johan Strauss' Wer uns Getraut.

Rieu said he was thrilled with his first TV role.

"Basically I just say a few things and put two people together who had been separated with my music. Isn't that romantic?" he said. Almost 90,000 Victorians attended Rieu's three Melbourne shows. Herald Sun December 02 2008 By Jane Metlikovec Photography: David Caird

Thank You to Jann for sending the Newspaper Clippings!