André is Back In The Docusoap "André Rieu’s World"

The World of André Rieu

André Rieu is Back In the Docusoap "André Rieu’s World"

We Follow the 61 Year Old Violinist on His Tour From Mexico City to Orlando, Florida.

In total quiet, dresses are being adjusted, violins tuned, and make-up is quickly being touched up. Only the sound of André’s glistening shoes can be heard on the stone cold floor. There is an unwritten rule that just prior to a performance every one remains totally quiet and no one approaches André. Even the camera crew, which caught up with André here in Mexico City and will be following him the coming weeks to film "The World of André Rieu," stays aloof.

Spirited and Shouting

Tonight is the second concert in the Auditorio National of Mexico City. One down, three more to go. After these performances, the king of the Waltz and his entourage of 120 people, including their own catering, security and private doctor, will fly in a chartered jet to Phoenix, Arizona. It is almost unimaginable that a short while ago, the 61 year old violinist was flat on his back due to a virus infection on his equilibrium. Says André: "It was a most horrible period. The only thing I could do was to lie there very quietly and heal. With a lot of patience, love and crazy visits from my grandchildren, I recovered." The violin reappeared again, the orchestra members were alerted, and so they waltzed merrily along. But at a deliberate slower pace. André: "I rest more frequently, am more focused and I delegate more, which takes some getting used to; but then it has to, since I am no longer 18. This will never happen again! I am so happy again that I can do what I enjoy doing; making people happy with classical music."

Stradivarius

After a smashing start in Belgium, the entire Rieu group boarded an airplane to bubbling Mexico City.

André: "Tickets were sold in no time at all. Four performances in the Auditorio National. That equated to forty thousand tickets. That’s fantastic, isn’t it? Part of them will be all dressed up tonight in the hall waiting for me to make my entrance. Another part will try to sell all their illegal Rieu merchandize just outside the entrance of this colossal building, from coffee cups and T-shirts to key chains and DVD’s. And without a doubt, must-haves for young and old." The buzzing in the hall increases, while back stage it is still dead quiet. André’s violin, his Stradivarius, worth several millions, is where it is suppose to be: tightly clutched in the left hand of its master, ready for a phenomenal performance. The case, in which this musical piece of perfection travels worldwide, is already with a neatly ironed blanket. Just like its personal bodyguard who keeps a close watch on it all day.

Relaxing

Father and son exchange a last quick look of understanding. Pierre, already André’s right hand for the last ten years, rushes into the hall as quickly as possible not only to enjoy the live atmosphere, but also as a way to relax. And there you have it, the curtains open, the spot lights search for the shiny shoes and the audience applauds. Even more intense and livelier then yesterday Rieu would say later. "I still do not know exactly what causes it, but one note, one scream and immediately the evening is turned into a party, WHAM and tonight was such a night. Nice, very nice.

*The First Episode will be aired in the Netherlands on Feb 4th and then again every week for the next five weeks. Of course Ruud and Ineke will have them soon after each one with the English Subtitles for us ...

Thanks to Ineke for sending this and John for ©Translating it.