André Rieu in Heidelberg For Two Concerts and Recordings

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André Rieu in Heidelberg For Two Concerts and ZDF Special

September 17, 2009 ~ André Rieu will not reveal the program for his two concerts on Friday and Saturday. But he has learned an extra "I've lost my heart in Heidelberg", the song that gives the TV recording it's title and makes every Heidelberg citizen beam with pride. "A concert with a lot of Heidelberg," the violin star promised the journalists yesterday. "And of course you can expect a lot of Waltzes". The Dutchman wants to make this concert on the Kornmarkt, as always, a "happening" for his fans.

For two nights an audience of 850 each will find a place in front of the stage; tickets were sold out immediately. André Rieu envisions that his fans will also be in the streets surrounding City Hall and be listening to his music, just like what he first experienced in the small town of Tuscany. The Germans, he knows, belong to his "oldest" fans. And probably will enjoy his music for many more years: "It can last a long time."

The Kornmarkt is actually much too small for the big André Rieu. Looking at everything however, said Horst von Estorff, director of the Concert project, it is wonderful there ~ the castle, the entire atmosphere. The backdrop for André Rieu and his 75 musicians will be the Heidelberg Town Hall.

The artist, says Estorff, wanted to go by himself in May from the Karlsplatz to the Uniplatz, to search for an ideal place for his orchestra. He stopped at the Kornmarkt: "That's it ..." With this picture Heidelberg had won out over Berlin and the Brandenburg Gate ~ which was to be the alternate for the TV recording. Or Las Vegas. Or Sydney. The only one bad thing in Germany said Rieu smiling: "Is that on the squares of the cities you find fountains or sculptures." And that is really nothing for his great public events.

The cuddly violinist likes Heidelberg. He has been here for two days now making pre-recordings for the 90-minute program, which will be aired as a TV special on 14 October by ZDF and also in Austria and Switzerland, and will be made available to be viewed by 80 million people in Asia and the United States. "We want to show Heidelberg's most beautiful sides," says Rieu, who made recordings yesterday in the pedestrian areas and small alleys with a Fiat Cinquecento . "The students have it good here," he says, comparing Heidelberg with his birth city of Maastricht.

Lord Mayor Eckart Wuerzner agrees, but Maastricht is an example for Heidelberg, when it comes to bringing the city to the river. In general, the mayor is thrilled that the world famous violinist, who played in front of 500,000 spectators and earned 60 million euros last year, wants to bring a message to the world, which reads: "Heidelberg is even more beautiful than one could imagine."

For this event the city is doing everything. It closed the entire Kornmarkt, and the event also closed the Charles Street to the Chambers Street and the Bremeneckgasse to the Burgweg. From Thursday evening to Sunday evening, the old city center will not be accessible, and even the pedestrians will have to avoid the Corn Market. The underground parking garage exits will be one way and bus lines 30 and 33 are diverted. Even the conference room of the City Council will be used for a few days as a dressing room, equipment storage and rehearsal space.

John had to put his "German Hat" on to Translate these for us ...Thanks John! ... Cute Hat! ;-) (Thank you to Bobbie for sending me the "German Hat" Photo) Whenever John has a German Translation to do, he always tells me, "Well, I better go get my German Hat on now!" I never knew he meant it literally ... :)

And Here is Another Small Article that Ineke Sent That John Did For Us.

"Waltz King Rieu" Rather Be in Heidelberg Than in Berlin

"Waltz King" André Rieu would rather have his annual open-air concert in Heidelberg then at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. "For the last three years I have told him that there is no suitable place here" explained project manager Horst von Estorff on Wednesday in Heidelberg.

But Rieu pushed on - and is thrilled. "I feel like I am at home in Maastricht," said the Dutch violinist. "Everywhere the small, romantic streets - the students are really having it good here," said the 59-year-old enthusiastically. The preparations for his concert however, are immense. Since last week modifications are being made for the concerts, including taking down flag poles and removing bollards.

This Friday and Saturday Rieu and his 50-member strong Johann Strauss Orchestra will be in the old town of Heidelberg to give two concerts, which will be recorded as a TV special titled "I lost my heart in Heidelberg" and televised in October, by ZDF, ORF and the Swiss television network. The concerts are sold out. At the very least it affords you the chance to listen in the neighboring streets. Inclusive the musicians, Rieu and about 180 employees are guests in the University City.

Looking up Heidelberg I found this information interesting: Heidelberg may be one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany. Small enough to feel like a "village" but big enough to be a city, Heidelberg has a population of 140,000. Surrounding the City are suburbs housing many American Army personnel and one out of every 7 residents of Heidelberg is a US citizen.The University of Heidelberg is the oldest continuously operatiing University in Germany. With 27,000 students.