André Rieu Chapeau Magazine September 2012

Firmly Off Into Autumn 

Chapeau Magazine September 2012 Article by André Rieu 

After a pleasant holiday, in which we really did take the opportunity to rest this time, the program immediately took off in full swing. Half way into August we and the orchestra went to South Africa for our performances in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. Those were wonderful concerts, together with amongst others, the Soweto Gospel Choir, the Platinum Tenors, Kimi Scota, Carmen Monarcha, the Petersburg Trio and of course also the Johann Strauss Orchestra. 

Having returned, I was home for exactly one day, after which I had to go to Mainz (Germany) and back for just the day and then the next day on to France for the postponed tour of earlier this year when I was sick. 

Around the release of this Chapeau edition we are all once again in Sao Paulo for another six concerts in the same hall where we had given 24 concerts this summer. So thirty concerts in all in a few months in one city! We have never experienced anything like that, but Sao Paulo is an enormous city and the Brazilian public is very enthusiastic. We will definately return there soon in addition to other cities and countries in South America. 

But not right now, since the concert agenda in the fall is bursting at the seams with several performances in Germany, Switzerland, France and again in England, with a sold out concert at the O2 Arena. In October during a live BBC broadcast, we, together with Andrea Bocelli and Nicola Benedetti will be receiving the Classic Brit Award.

Recently we also received the BVN broadcasting Trophy, which is an award by BVN for the most watched program of the year. I'm obviously very proud. BVN broadcasts the best Dutch and Flemish programs throughout the world. It was the broadcast of our concert in the Semper Opera House in Dresden (Dancing Through The Skies). A wonderful concert in one of the most beautiful opera houses of the world. 

On October 3, 2012 the German TV station ZDF will broadcast the "Vrijthof 2012" concert. Wonderful atmosphere and Maastricht at its best. The theme was the 25th anniversary of the Johann Strauss Orchestra. In commemoration of this anniversary, a special CD: "Verleef op Mestreech" (In love with Maastricht) will be released. 

When you read all this, you might think: Didn't he intend to slow down? Well, yes, that's right, at least .... I do fewer things in general. I have declined all appearances and interviews which are not directly related to my performances and my music. That's not meant to be unfriendly, but it's just not possible to combine them with the intense life of a musician. But the number of performances will not drastically be reduced, since fortunately there is a big demand from all over the world. 

And physically I can tackle it, which is even more important. In South Africa I felt how much I have improved since I seriously started working out under proper supervision. My condition has improved much better and I am physically stronger due to my weight training. I lost about twelve kilos (25 lbs), and do not expect to lose any more since the weight training causes the muscle masses to grow, which of course puts on weight too. But whether you have muscles or fat, it does make a big difference in your fitness. I'm certainly on the right path. I am really starting to buff out! I live as wisely as possible, also in my food intake, without going onto some weird diet. Healthy products, that's what it is all about. In this manner I hope to continue this energetic lifestyle for a long time, so I can enjoy the stage. And that is the best there is! 

André Rieu 

Thanks to Ineke for this and she and John translating it.