André Rieu and His Love For Detail

André Rieu and His Love For Detail

EXHIBITION: Exposition in the museum on the Vrijthof offers a look behind the scenes of the Maastricht artist and showman.

Up to and including 27 September, the exposition "Love for Detail" can be visited at the Museum on the Vrijthof. An exposition which in part explains the success of André Rieu:

"Striving for perfection."

De Limburger June 23rd by Guus Urlings: How do they know? Daphne Schrader of the Museum in Maastricht shrugs her shoulders. "No idea." But it is a fact: the exposition "Love for Detail" about the life and works of André Rieu was just barely in the planning stages when the museum was already receiving calls from all over the world asking when the opening date would be. "That just goes to show how incredibly popular André Rieu is." That popularity has also led the museum to be attentive to the motto "Made in Maastricht" and to put the in Maastricht born and raised violinist a little extra in the spotlight. But then different then different. It is not necessarily the person, the artist André Rieu which is being focused upon, but rather his love for detail, his pursuit of perfectionism. "For therein lies the secret of his success. Everything into the last detail is regulated, nothing escapes him. 

Nothing is left to chance, everything is very carefully prepared. Into the smallest details, really." That is immediately evident at the entrance of the exhibit, where a collection of dresses and suits can be seen, all worn by the soloist in various shows. "Almost all designed by Rieu himself, at least from the first instance. The ideas are his. He has in his head what he wants, often including the smallest creases and decorations, and so then it must ultimately be. That brings forth beautiful creations, such as the favorite dress of the "master" in which Carmen Monarcha performed more than three hundred times on stage.

To emphasize the motto of the exhibition "Love for Detail," the museum has scattered in almost all parts of the exhibition beautiful photographed details of all objects and jewels which are worn during the shows of André Rieu - of which he also is intensively involved – and they have come to be known to their own. They are draped on and in between a special collection of 19th century crystal from the museums own collection "from the time of Johann Strauss."

But there is much more to see

A (reconstructed) part of the studio of "the André Rieu firm," for example. With an ironing board, fabrics, buttons and everything else that is useful when designing and making clothing. A little further on the young Niels Rijsemus, a luthier, can be seen in his studio very carefully planing a wooden plank into what ultimately should become a violin. Because whoever says André Rieu, says violin, and it would be quite remarkable if he would not be a perfectionist in that area too. Has Rieu ever bought a violin made by him? "Two" Rijsmus says proudly.

A room further on is totally dedicated to the waltz, the favorite genre of André Rieu. And there - with a nice detail, this time thought out by the museum - on the floor a pattern of footprints which enables visitors to dance a waltz according to the rules. Still more? The inspiration room dedicated to the composers and musicians from whom André Rieu draws his musical inspiration and the books in which he seeks inspiration for the decors of his shows. Letters, programs, gold records and so on. Mandatory food for the fans, but also a must for those who (still) are not a fan.

Thanks to John for the Translation of this article!