tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46835927455184225112024-03-23T23:06:52.119-07:00ANDRE RIEU FAN SITE THE HARMONY PARLORTHE HARMONY PARLOR is the number One André Rieu Fan Site for English speaking fans all over the world, with the Most Accurate and Up To Date News of André Rieu, his Johann Strauss Orchestra, Soloists and Choir!
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The most current news of André Rieu. Kimmy Skota, Maastricht, Marjorie Rieu, Pierre Rieu, Marc RieuSuzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.comBlogger1919125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-15166900687181505612022-08-19T13:02:00.002-07:002022-08-19T13:02:56.090-07:00A Lottum rose now also bears the name of André Rieu<p><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">After a purple tulip, a Lottum rose now also bears the name of André
Rieu, and he likes the rose even better.</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">De Limburger, by Kitty Borghouts, Photo Credits: Laurens Eggen</span><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7G1BmXR3dpzIxYGwLAl35XejCA3RZ2CTXyah_RiZ91rU-ZEJuY0MEmNFn6PHPvK-e3UeHuj9G40iy1Eg-eAKY-Gp7jsi_vWju_xAndmMpWOfIbOl4TBRfh6iov0i6E_VoTHKiSFGE_cjdsX3eQ6srgQ0Da5sbjR9oE2agxpxT63wbk8lIVfyYsxTfUQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><img alt="" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="971" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7G1BmXR3dpzIxYGwLAl35XejCA3RZ2CTXyah_RiZ91rU-ZEJuY0MEmNFn6PHPvK-e3UeHuj9G40iy1Eg-eAKY-Gp7jsi_vWju_xAndmMpWOfIbOl4TBRfh6iov0i6E_VoTHKiSFGE_cjdsX3eQ6srgQ0Da5sbjR9oE2agxpxT63wbk8lIVfyYsxTfUQ=s16000" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">André Rieu and rose cultivator Frank Coenders
christen the new variety.</span></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Cambria, "serif"; font-size: 22pt;">There
was already a tulip named after him, but now André Rieu also has a red rose which
bears his name. During the Feast of the Rose in Lottum, it was named on Sunday.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, "serif"; font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">On
the day that he has been married 47 years, and moreover in the middle of his
holiday, André Rieu stands on stage in the warm tent of the Feast of the Rose
in Lottum. "My house is full of visitors," he says, after the
audience spontaneously started singing a "long-may-he-live" at the
announcement of his special day. "But of course I come to name this rose,
it is a great honor for me. Exactly thirty years ago I gave a performance here
at the Market, from which I have warm memories. Earlier a purple tulip has already
been named after me, but honestly I think this rose is even more
beautiful."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Ten Years</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">On
the occasion of the Feast of the Rose, a (for the time being) one-time
successor of the defunct Rose Festival, a new rose has been developed.
"That's a long process," says the Lottum rose cultivator Frank
Coenders, who developed the new variety together with Serbian breeder Biljana
Bozanic. "It takes about ten years. Crossing, sowing, and then selecting
the best from the series and then move on." The result is a rose that is
especially strong in fragrance and deep color, says Bozanic.</span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiu7LVG_KVFgjkNhnJzB54s3qjuTz99DKPLLB_NV8Nx8rahcF6dpP4J-0_pCFxdpPmkaUiZWJjwK9UdDke058UpVea15Q1CQUphWxfY6PMJcM82InQISAHjnRAJ84MV9RpyWGuO7nX_m-9lu67L_vNRujE2f0pjUpTciNC3Z1iw6eJgn3Va4gI3k0kqtg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><img alt="" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="944" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiu7LVG_KVFgjkNhnJzB54s3qjuTz99DKPLLB_NV8Nx8rahcF6dpP4J-0_pCFxdpPmkaUiZWJjwK9UdDke058UpVea15Q1CQUphWxfY6PMJcM82InQISAHjnRAJ84MV9RpyWGuO7nX_m-9lu67L_vNRujE2f0pjUpTciNC3Z1iw6eJgn3Va4gI3k0kqtg=s16000" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /><span style="font-family: Cambria, "serif"; font-size: 22pt;">With two glasses of champagne, Rieu
and Coenders together baptized the pot rose. In the coming period, the variety
– the series is called 'sense of love' – will be further increased. Coenders
and his people have already started on that. "In addition, we listened to Rieu's
music during work in recent weeks, ," he says. "Very inspiring. Roses
and classical music are a perfect combination, they are both connecting."</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The rose village now hopes that the
musician will use the rose named after him during his future shows. "I
would need to speed up the propagation," says Rieu. "If all my ten
million followers want that rose, do you have enough in stock for them?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: 29.3333px;">Thanks to John for the Translation</span></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-21740338945739302272022-08-19T12:06:00.003-07:002022-08-19T12:17:51.448-07:00Rieu Announces Another Extra Christmas Concert<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">And That's Five! </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Rieu Announces Another Extra Christmas Concert</span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFj-bm8Zrz7yvFjjtDHisZXW71REbqnxxOFyvWYmfKcGcu4qxldKU9QP5rEewJg21VN40JoG-zdJStS8mDrTmlnVb9IbEpESqhpJlyzncuUc86DryJr1HykOmVJuAzSY5d7ySvYSpueDbBblfLxI2G3-jBP3sY1fl0Rb6LZy4kfx8QgqavsUlwGv0AdQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="979" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFj-bm8Zrz7yvFjjtDHisZXW71REbqnxxOFyvWYmfKcGcu4qxldKU9QP5rEewJg21VN40JoG-zdJStS8mDrTmlnVb9IbEpESqhpJlyzncuUc86DryJr1HykOmVJuAzSY5d7ySvYSpueDbBblfLxI2G3-jBP3sY1fl0Rb6LZy4kfx8QgqavsUlwGv0AdQ=s16000" /></a></b></div><span style="font-size: 18pt; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Rieu during one of the Vrijthof
concerts earlier this summer-Photo ANP</span></div></span><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">André Rieu will give an extra Christmas
concert in Maastricht at the end of this year. The performance will take place
on Sunday 11 December of this year at 15:00.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><span style="font-size: 22pt; text-align: left;">Editorial staff "de
Limburger" - </span><span style="font-size: 22pt; text-align: left;">Earlier, Rieu had already announced a fourth concert, but now it is about the fifth Christmas concert. "This year it will be even more
beautiful than ever," says Rieu about his show "Christmas in My
Hometown."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"For many of you, my dear fans, Christmas is the highlight of the
year," according to Rieu. "I promise you concerts which you will
never forget. From the moment you enter, you will be fully immersed into the unique
Christmas atmosphere of a true winter wonderland. Let yourself be enchanted by
the beautiful palace decorations and the Christmas décor."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Tickets for Rieu's extra concert will be on sale next Friday at 10.00
AM Central European time. Rieu will also give a Christmas concert on 10, 16,
17 and 18 December, for which there are still some tickets for sale.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 29.3333px;">Thanks to John for the Article and Translation</span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-45294441188800953112022-07-31T16:14:00.001-07:002022-08-01T20:44:51.466-07:00Pierre Rieu: "The most frequently asked question during guided tours?<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 36pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Pierre Rieu: "The most frequently asked question during guided
tours? How to proceed when André is no longer there"</span></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 28pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p><span style="color: #20124d;"></span></o:p></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKMyUaNGHwuli95J81F661sWnW-jDofo0JqzC4sFuTvnsELEaq2WGIxsjPceg2M585qonegQHwodj-CVUJKbYcOoB9e7A-QM-fr0Q-PfJ5BkNDH2pjAwvVtLxXfr9iUFXRpk5TzgNhz4R59QQsJ6uNGywdTorzBZRKAGdsl16NhmvXVW8JbRkEkRan6A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="945" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKMyUaNGHwuli95J81F661sWnW-jDofo0JqzC4sFuTvnsELEaq2WGIxsjPceg2M585qonegQHwodj-CVUJKbYcOoB9e7A-QM-fr0Q-PfJ5BkNDH2pjAwvVtLxXfr9iUFXRpk5TzgNhz4R59QQsJ6uNGywdTorzBZRKAGdsl16NhmvXVW8JbRkEkRan6A=s16000" /></a></span></b></div><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 16pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Pierre Rieu — photo Marcel van Hoorn</span><b><span style="font-size: 28pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></o:p></span></b></div></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Maastricht </span></b><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">- We cannot call him the big man behind the scenes, although he is
ultimately responsible for everything that happens around the Vrijthof concerts
- the last ones are this weekend - of André Rieu. He works with a team of no
less than 650 people, emphasizes son Pierre. "This is really a group
performance. And every day of the concert we are amazed at what we all
experience."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #20124d;">From "De Limburger" by Rob Cobben -</span></span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt;">These are the busiest weeks of the year for Pierre Rieu. But the
41-year-old son of the world-famous violinist and orchestra leader from
Maastricht is particularly relaxed on the terrace of "Huis de Torentjes,"
the beautiful castle from the fifteenth century in the Sint Pieter's district
where his parents live.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt;">We meet on a day when there are no performances and no guided tours
for concertgoers who have booked a VIP package, to which Pierre always is the
host and guide. Those tours are only there on the days when there is also a
concert, he explains. And invariably, they are always </span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt;"> </span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt;">full with 120 participants at a time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt;">Rieu fans can choose from three packages: an excursion in the studio
and rehearsal rooms in Amby, backstage at the Vrijthof or one through the
castle where also costumes from the orchestra members and even the maestro's
can be viewed. Of course the latter option is the most popular.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Breath<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">So there is some time to catch your breath, although the fans of his
father and his Johann Strauss Orchestra are never far away. "Look,"
says Pierre while pointing to the Lage Kanaaldijk at the foot of the monumental
building on the eastern flank of Sint Pietersberg. Although the municipality has
placed prohibition signs there a few weeks ago, a coach still stops there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt;">Dozens of people, who have cameras around their necks or a Smartphone
in their hands, get out. And immediately begin to take pictures of the domain
of their great idol. Pierre Rieu laughs. "I think this is very nice to
see. How special it is that people from all over the world travel to Maastricht
to come and see your father. They can spend their money on other things just a
well, couldn't they?"</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Valuable<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">He describes the contact with the fans as "very special and
valuable." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"During these
tours, they explain why they travelled to Maastricht. There are people who
celebrate an anniversary, have been married for forty or fifty years, are
retiring or have overcome an illness. Some stories make you really quiet.
Everyone has a different reason for coming here."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt;">They bombard him with questions, says Pierre Rieu. One that most often
comes along is: "What about the Johann Strauss Orchestra when André is no
longer here?" Then I always answer that with: "We are not working on
that yet. That we live from day to day and enjoy all those beautiful moments.
And I mean that sincerely. We are amazed every day by the concert and what we
all experience."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirLHrrqKMI7ZxTlXngSa90104HtLMbaqvdDcM0Mtgs-7mkblYyPLB4z9WjudjnVjE0DRV1oAn8ql-xHaeIaJ2kY1CpTmPre8N_aOFmIbfTmmm2GKqFen9dhbjuxNVOj2PyePuwDmosigXcYLz2avapOV-XoygVWf4gKavkBX1vhU799y4uDmDPYih-ZA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirLHrrqKMI7ZxTlXngSa90104HtLMbaqvdDcM0Mtgs-7mkblYyPLB4z9WjudjnVjE0DRV1oAn8ql-xHaeIaJ2kY1CpTmPre8N_aOFmIbfTmmm2GKqFen9dhbjuxNVOj2PyePuwDmosigXcYLz2avapOV-XoygVWf4gKavkBX1vhU799y4uDmDPYih-ZA=s16000" /></a></span></div><span face=""Segoe UI", "sans-serif"" style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-size: 18pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> Photo by Marcel van Hoorn</span></div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">His father still feels fine and is in an excellent condition, says
Pierre Rieu. He lives a healthy life, has a personal coach and ensures in
sufficient moments of rest. "But he will indeed turn 73 in October. That's
a quite an age. That is why we are slowly reducing the number of concerts. A
few years ago we were still at one hundred and forty gigs a year, now we are
just over a hundred. And we want to end up somewhere around eighty."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Finals<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">On Sunday, the series of fifteen concerts at the Vrijthof in
Maastricht will come to an end, good for a total of 180,000 visitors. Every
concert evening there are 8800 people in front of the stage and another 3500
others who have bought a terrace arrangement at the catering establishments
around the square. Never before has Rieu and his orchestra given so many
concerts in a row in his hometown. He was allowed by the municipality to use
the Vrijthof a few extra evenings, since the performances in 2020 and 2021 had
to be cancelled due to Covid-19. Next year there will again be twelve concerts,
just like before the corona pandemic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt;">Rieu and his orchestra travel
all over the world, but the Vrijthof series are still the highlights of the
year for orchestra and employees, says the son and production manager.
"And that's certainly not just because we can come to work by bike. When
we perform in Lisbon, there are only Portuguese in the room. And in Montevideo,
the audience consists mainly of Uruguayans. But in Maastricht, almost the entire
world comes together. This year we have guests from almost a hundred different
countries. And that is very special. You also see friendships develop between fans
of different origins."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Grander<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Why all these people make the sometimes long and expensive trip to
Maastricht, when they might also be able to see Rieu perform closer to home?
"Because they find it special to see André in his own city. And because
they know that the show here is bigger than anywhere else. During the concerts
at the Vrijthof this time there are a total of 250 artists on stage. You can't
experience that anywhere else."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt;">Tickets for the fifteen concerts this summer had already gone on sale in
September 2019. And no one returned their tickets after the forced
cancellations in 2020 and 2021, says Pierre Rieu. And that also applies to all
the other concerts which were planned in the rest of the world, for which a
total of half a million tickets were sold. "The fans have stayed loyal to
us. That has been a huge support to all of us. It has given us strength during
those difficult pandemic years."</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_16" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" style="height: 384.75pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 256.5pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
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</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvi5fBFn1hvutjH92VDWTiDji2SBRpB8Vqm9FpM9vRDEJX5fOeMb0ygENGFpHM0W1m0_RPKVhF0MTAGLR6ttmBN9QsI6LkJPVz74QFUPQInjimZK-CtzXN7vapsvdBz4GTlxUzwD9X7l0J9uaKCaN__vt5kEEA60Vf6m35jNHN_6hbqNiPhnamW5uBmQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="539" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvi5fBFn1hvutjH92VDWTiDji2SBRpB8Vqm9FpM9vRDEJX5fOeMb0ygENGFpHM0W1m0_RPKVhF0MTAGLR6ttmBN9QsI6LkJPVz74QFUPQInjimZK-CtzXN7vapsvdBz4GTlxUzwD9X7l0J9uaKCaN__vt5kEEA60Vf6m35jNHN_6hbqNiPhnamW5uBmQ=w427-h640" width="427" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;">Photo Marcel van Hoorn</span></div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></o:p></span><b><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Christmas concerts</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">There were exactly 1081 days between the last Vrijthof show in 2019
and the first of 2022. Sunday evening around midnight, the sixteenth concert
series comes to an end on the most beautiful square in the world, as the
orchestra leader himself calls it. In total, the counter stands at 115 open-air
performances at that location. And after that? "Tear everything down and
make the square beautiful. That's how it happens, because we work with a team
that is a well-oiled machine. With all these employees, I could dare to
organize any event anywhere in the world."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt;">Then there will be a short holiday for the musicians and other staff -
in total about 120 people - of André Rieu Productions. Starting at the end of
September, another busy program awaits. With concerts in Germany, Austria,
Bulgaria, Hungary, Israel, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt;">And then in December will come the dessert again in Maastricht, with at
least four Christmas concerts in the MECC, which will turn the venue into a
fairytale décor. Pierre Rieu: "Because that's what we're good at: giving
people the feeling that they've ended up in a fairy tale. And let them have a
wonderful evening, so that they go home with a smile on their face."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilj9MDOUxZ4heepo7uFu4CyB3wlCU0uKTdE4KL-pqczI5aV-GjBqg6OKpnJjs3J888Zfjv6vSgCRMdhj3xLkmkzfDQjSq-auEN2Bxd0ALNNgRyPmuAInK-8pop4ES_owh_Qc9bih41joJ7Gi0puJ1JUwWgo1I9UQeNWSLJHX61Zg7d2O4F7g0hDvzjkg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilj9MDOUxZ4heepo7uFu4CyB3wlCU0uKTdE4KL-pqczI5aV-GjBqg6OKpnJjs3J888Zfjv6vSgCRMdhj3xLkmkzfDQjSq-auEN2Bxd0ALNNgRyPmuAInK-8pop4ES_owh_Qc9bih41joJ7Gi0puJ1JUwWgo1I9UQeNWSLJHX61Zg7d2O4F7g0hDvzjkg=s16000" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pierre Rieu with his father at the beginning of the Vrijthof
concerts.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;">Photo Marcel Van Hoorn</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Thanks to John for this article and his
translation</span></span><span style="font-size: 28pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-8764437325226342272022-06-26T10:40:00.003-07:002022-06-26T10:43:29.160-07:00"Always TOGETHER, With or without ANDRÉ RIEU’<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"> <b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 36pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;">"Always TOGETHER, </span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 36pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;">With or without ANDRÉ RIEU’</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Chapeau, July 2022.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Text by Richard Stark. Kris Nemeth photography.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Not only musically but
also socially, the Johann Strauss Orchestra is known as a close-knit company.
In some cases, LOVE even plays a game. First violinist Frank Steijns (51) and
mezzo-soprano Madieke Schoots (40) have been in the "couples of the
orchestra" category for two years now.</span></span></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"><o:p><span style="color: #20124d;"></span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYvdYHg6PZSh3xexgS1QjVkIi1tUozE9uVfuVaIUafMqOwS71AJ6a0iaqYbVKjj-vzuO-zgd2Z2dQ4oZeT_DmEkbyIED4tIN4zJIxTTfjr3il2Y9OyJdppV6MpdTW9TDGTxmm6FZEngx3HZf2Afz660Ay3u5fWIU7WC8oaoQFBzTSC0kpdbPG7s0RyBw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYvdYHg6PZSh3xexgS1QjVkIi1tUozE9uVfuVaIUafMqOwS71AJ6a0iaqYbVKjj-vzuO-zgd2Z2dQ4oZeT_DmEkbyIED4tIN4zJIxTTfjr3il2Y9OyJdppV6MpdTW9TDGTxmm6FZEngx3HZf2Afz660Ay3u5fWIU7WC8oaoQFBzTSC0kpdbPG7s0RyBw=s16000" /></a><span style="font-size: 22pt;"> </span></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Madieke Schoots arrives
a little later in the town hall because she still had to pick up the wedding
album at home. Because of that I meet <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the multi-instrumentalist and city
carillonneur of Maastricht first in the seventeenth-century town hall, his
part-time workplace and their prior wedding location. "We are one of the
many couples in the orchestra, but we are the couple that was married last,"
says Frank Steijns. When the two sit next to each other, just then you notice how
their eyes shine and how they complement each other seamlessly. It wasn't immediately
love at first sight when they met at a rehearsal of the Johann Strauss
Orchestra in Maastricht. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;">“I hail from Tiel,
studied in Utrecht, but was working in Amsterdam at the time,” says Madieke.
"With André Rieu I could sing along as a substitute for a singer on
maternity leave." Frank adds: “I was not really open for love because my
work with André means that I am on concert tour all over the world 150 days a
year, and then it often turned out to be difficult to enter into a
relationship.” Although the two did not immediately fly around each other's
neck, a time did come for them in which they always had nice conversations with
each other about everything ans anything. “We also visited each other's
concerts and –</span><span style="font-size: 22pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 22pt;">coincidentely or not –
when we made a date, there was always one table free and always exactley the
same”, Madieke remembers in the very beginning.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="q4iawc"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the fall of 2015, the musicians went on tour with André Rieu to
Chile. “We were somewhat awkwardly around each while other orchestra members
probably saw our infatuation a kilometer away,” says Frank. After the tour,
Schoots resumed her work as a singer in the Randstad. Steijns went on tour with
the orchestra. At the baggage claim at the Dublin airport It happened, he
reconstructs. "André tapped me on the shoulder and said: "You don't
look very happy Frank, is it because of me?" </span></span><span class="q4iawc"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
replied: "Somewhat because it is getting serious with Madieke and I am
dreading the fact being on tour so frequentl.y "</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="q4iawc"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That is not going
to be the case." Then André said:
“Madieke, I know her from my concerts… Call her right away and tell her I'm
offering her a one-year contract!” Well, since then we've been happily together
for six years now,” which he briefly summarizes the couple's love story.
"We are together on tour from morning till night and that is going well,
perhaps also because we are both Capricorns, just like , by the way, thirteen
other musicians in the orchestra." while Madieke is looking for an
explanation. “The other orchestra members have also embraced us as a couple and
we ourselves too like the fact that you share the same experiences as partners.
You experience the same concert from a different perspective as a singer or
violinist. You sometimes talk about that before going to sleep, but that's only
fun.” Frank, laughing: “For observant visitors to the Vrijthof concert in
Maastricht: when the orchestra starts “Falling in love” by Elvis Presley, we
always look at each other in love.”</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="q4iawc"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="q4iawc"><b><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 26pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Violinist FRANK STEIJNS and singer
MADIEKE SCHOOTS have been a couple for six years already.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="q4iawc"><b><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 26pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="q4iawc"><b><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span><span style="font-size: 22pt;">Prior to André Rieu's concerts on the Vrijthof, the Maastricht
Salon Orchestra will play a private concert for VIP guests of André Rieu
Travel, with Frank Steijns on the piano.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="q4iawc"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">“VerrasSing” (Surprise) performs in the Cellebroederskapel in
Maastricht on 10, 14 and 24 July.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;">During the past corona period, an ensemble arose in which the two
participate: “VerrasSing”, a company consisting of Madieke Schoots and two
other vocalists from Rieu's orchestra, with Frank Steijns behind the piano.
“During that period, we also gave a concert together in Washington on the
carillon that the Netherlands donated as a gift to America</span><span style="font-size: 22pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 22pt;">after the war,” says Frank. Something similar
also happened in the Maastricht city hall when we got married. “Our wedding
took place in the middle of corona period and for that reason only five people
were allowed into the tower. I alone was allowed to play the Wedding Bells of
the carillon and Madieke sang along.” “We also gave each other our rings
there,” says Madieke as she along with her husband</span><span style="font-size: 22pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 22pt;">browse through the wedding album. “Our family
received the ceremony via a video link. When we looked at the Markt through the
reverberation holes, a big surprise came to us," says Frank. “Due to
corona, the entire André Rieu orchestra</span><span style="font-size: 22pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 22pt;">was spread all across the square, but as </span><b style="font-size: 22pt;">one</b><span style="font-size: 22pt;"> big family, was with champagne at their fingertips applauding
and enjoying the event.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 20pt;">Thanks to Ineke for this article and her and John's combined
translation</span></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-76877012156707815402022-04-26T01:06:00.005-07:002022-04-26T01:08:58.971-07:00André Rieu: "I Would Like for Máxima to Waltz"<p><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATmPOFKdKEHCHaS1TGi-_MOlcrU-_wtgVdcGEeQqYqv1hNdPozJ0n_rCJ2QDHOk2QxAZel8hVzmZf3NWtGoZ6LxhD3zYOLwWwHrcAjqK-Rg-k9HoIoDUp_9uxTIOJS38AvYmUHfDxIbzJ0nb_j5E25-itXo-vI2U4VK5I2CerkWnSvGbCnlRVWvjxMg/s1024/278161581_10159962572396425_1341814392626762927_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATmPOFKdKEHCHaS1TGi-_MOlcrU-_wtgVdcGEeQqYqv1hNdPozJ0n_rCJ2QDHOk2QxAZel8hVzmZf3NWtGoZ6LxhD3zYOLwWwHrcAjqK-Rg-k9HoIoDUp_9uxTIOJS38AvYmUHfDxIbzJ0nb_j5E25-itXo-vI2U4VK5I2CerkWnSvGbCnlRVWvjxMg/s16000/278161581_10159962572396425_1341814392626762927_n.jpg" /></a><b>At The Theater on The Vrijthof</b></span></b></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 48pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 22.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">André Rieu: "I would like for Máxima to waltz"<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 22pt;">De Telegraaf/Privé. By: </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 22pt;">Harrie Nijen Twilhaar</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;">The "King of the Waltz," André Rieu, will perform
for a real King on King's Day in Maastricht! The world-famous orchestra leader
hopes that Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will waltz in front of the stage
to his musical notes. “I performed for many heads of state and dignitaries, but
this is really special in my own city.” André Rieu is once again enjoying the
performances he is allowed to give. King's Day in '</span><b style="font-size: 22pt;">his</b><span style="font-size: 22pt;">' Maastricht will be a highlight for him.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76HrAQJxQcQDD4wfM3pLoeXmof8u1vb2WPlZsZue30IAvEOFu7TyQ6gDM05RX8KJ8rT2w24dggtRvy3YHVbtjUNpjp-y-xbMcFJLkW_vrvtcXVT7tWIQHgmKZsxb3nse3prDm_abI7_G20_VQ7nZgm0-9cEOsjXc-B3YDcUj9SCcd2AUynaoMaVsqOg/s528/111.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76HrAQJxQcQDD4wfM3pLoeXmof8u1vb2WPlZsZue30IAvEOFu7TyQ6gDM05RX8KJ8rT2w24dggtRvy3YHVbtjUNpjp-y-xbMcFJLkW_vrvtcXVT7tWIQHgmKZsxb3nse3prDm_abI7_G20_VQ7nZgm0-9cEOsjXc-B3YDcUj9SCcd2AUynaoMaVsqOg/s16000/111.JPG" /></span></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="q4iawc"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">It is a great honor for André Rieu and his Johann Strauss
Orchestra to be able to perform for the royal family on King's Day. It will be
the first time in more than two years that the "Waltz King" can show
his skills again in his own city.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Three hundred members from different brass bands will meet
the bus containing King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, the princesses and
other family members at the Sint Servaas bridge, the oldest bridge in the
Netherlands. André Rieu will perform on Onze Lieve Vrouweplein (Our Dear Lady
square) about halfway through the route. For him It feels special that he can
perform as "Waltz King" for a real King and Queen.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="q4iawc"><b><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">When did you receive the invitation to play for the royal
family during King's Day 2022? <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="q4iawc"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">“That was a while ago, even before corona threw a wrench in
the works. We had received the invitation for this performance already more
than two years ago. My orchestra and I consider it a great honor and we are
very much looking forward to the concert. King's Day in Maastricht is of course
something very special for all of us.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="q4iawc"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Which songs are you going to play?</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="q4iawc"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">“On the occasion of King Willem-Alexander's accession to the
throne in 2013, we had the honor of performing in front of more than 60,000
people on the Museum square in Amsterdam. We then had a waltz composed
especially for the royal couple. Of course we'll be playing that again now.”</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="q4iawc"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT33cO5XiRYXaR0XtIleIvJfUOW3WIBMhJjCtF7CgSOzLoUIxUZJKh-_CZ47ZwZ-9hzo4XbEg9khS3qYHSAaPwo2ZEAzmWG4T8TmqoxB02ozCLyTNWEBvpGVBD8_CMzotfmMuh-VQNN3wpARuNbzGdMNOKAdx9mgMXHp7BfwibA_RMDKMIykHiB_i3Hw/s560/222.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT33cO5XiRYXaR0XtIleIvJfUOW3WIBMhJjCtF7CgSOzLoUIxUZJKh-_CZ47ZwZ-9hzo4XbEg9khS3qYHSAaPwo2ZEAzmWG4T8TmqoxB02ozCLyTNWEBvpGVBD8_CMzotfmMuh-VQNN3wpARuNbzGdMNOKAdx9mgMXHp7BfwibA_RMDKMIykHiB_i3Hw/s16000/222.JPG" /></span></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="q4iawc"><b><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">How many times have you played for the King and Queen? <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="q4iawc"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">This will be the second time for King Willem-Alexander and
Queen Máxima, and for Princess Beatrix we<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>performed more often while she was still Queen. This took place, for
example, in the caves of Valkenburg. I remember well that we were only allowed
to play for half an hour. At the end of the concert Beatrix thanked us and said
spontaneously that she thought it had been too short. Very funny!"</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="q4iawc"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlK1j3PBByqL8dT_Ddcl7IJ4hmZv9pcdWEISXIcE1T47CU0EhNYAd8vMcym02SNqkD3QDJKaqllh7WQEqwr2tjP1Myai4Eq3-PjYk_ejxLK9RZ9wO035EO4GKGvTpxUXH62u-hFDljXjoWp4MSOzZ-xXQcoPZbcCagCnmzBd9kUMNI3TOnzi3J508NA/s508/444.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlK1j3PBByqL8dT_Ddcl7IJ4hmZv9pcdWEISXIcE1T47CU0EhNYAd8vMcym02SNqkD3QDJKaqllh7WQEqwr2tjP1Myai4Eq3-PjYk_ejxLK9RZ9wO035EO4GKGvTpxUXH62u-hFDljXjoWp4MSOzZ-xXQcoPZbcCagCnmzBd9kUMNI3TOnzi3J508NA/s16000/444.JPG" /></span></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">How special is it for you that the royal family is coming to
Maastricht?</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="q4iawc"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">“It is of course a great event for our beautiful city.
Moreover, it is a great honor that King's Day 2022 is being celebrated in
Maastricht. We sometimes have the idea that the South of Limburg dangles a bit,
but that feeling will disappear in one go after King's Day!" <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Do you have that Orange feeling yourself? Do you follow the
Royal House closely?</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="q4iawc"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">“Well, I don't follow them closely, but I do follow them with
interest. My wife Marjorie and I as post-war children were raised with the
royal family. Queen's Day was always an important highlight of the year. You
decorated your bike with red-white-blue and orange, my sisters wore orange bows
in their hair, and you sang “Orange boven” (Orange on high). A wonderful
tradition at the time.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Are the King and Queen allowed to dance a waltz when you
perform?</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="q4iawc"><b><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"</span></b></span><span class="q4iawc"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes, of
course, we play a wonderful waltz, especially for the royal couple! I really
hope they start dancing in front of the stage, that would be fantastic.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">It means an awful lot for you to perform in your own city
anyway, doesn't it?</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="q4iawc"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">“On King's Day we don't play on the Vrijthof, but on the
slightly smaller, but romantic and intimate Onze Lieve Vrouwe plein (our Dear
Lady square). But wherever we play, in the summer on the Vrijthof or before
Christmas in the MECC, it is always special to perform in our own city.”
"We have been playing on the Vrijthof since 2005! Two years ago for the
first time in the MECC<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we gave fantastic
Christmas concerts. They were so festive that I was convinced they would become
a great new tradition, so we were already looking forward to the next
performance, but then those concerts also had to be canceled due to corona. But
we will definitely continue with them next December!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"><span style="color: #20124d;">You have missed the performances in Maastricht enormously.</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"><span style="color: #20124d;">“It was sad that they were not allowed to continue for two years. In July
2019, it was the hundredth and for the time being the last concert to be held
on the Vrijthof. On that occasion, Mayor Annemarie Penn-te-Strake came on stage
during the concert and presented me with a bronze plaque. It has been placed on
the Vrijthof and can currently be admired. It was a very emotional moment and I
was really blown away! At that time, we didn't know that for the time being, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>would be the last Vrijthof concert. So I am
really looking forward to the wonderful concerts there next summer.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Have you played for other heads of state or presidents in the world before?</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"><span style="color: #20124d;">“As mentioned, for the then Queen BEATRIX, and once during the BBC's Royal
Variety Performance for Queen ELIZABETH. We played for the former Chancellor of
Germany, ANGELA MERKEL, on the occasion of a celebration. All the ladies were enthusiastic
about the music! I have received the World Music Award twice in Monaco, in the
presence of Prince RAINIER. That was quite an honor!”</span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The past two years have been "hell" for you and the orchestra
because of corona. Can you describe how you feel right now?</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"In heaven, ha ha!"</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;">Are you with Marjorie and your sons Pierre and Marc already busy with the preparations
for the summer concerts on the Vrijthof?</span></b><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"Absolutely!!. I was already busy with the Vrijthof program two years
ago . That's not a concert where a week in advance you think: "What are we
going to do now, guys?'”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Are you going to go the extra mile this year? <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"><span style="color: #20124d;">“It will be more beautiful and grander than ever. We have a world premiere,
namely a performance by a great European male choir with one hundred and fifty
singers! For this special occasion, the “Mastreechter Staar” (Male choir from
Maastricht) will be complemented by fantastic singers from the opera choirs of
Amsterdam, Liège and Aachen. The shivers are already running down my body when
I think of what it is going to sound like. This summer it will be a party to
remember for the many tens of thousands of fans.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"><o:p><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Thanks to Ineke for this article and hers and John's combined translation</span></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-70632629200050407672022-04-15T11:16:00.005-07:002022-04-15T11:16:52.408-07:00Carillonneur Frank Steijns to Perform May 5th in Washington DC<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #073763;">Thanks
to Motörhead: carillonneur Frank Steijns will play the carillon on May 5th at the
National Cemetery in Washington DC<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #073763;">"De Limburger," by Ivar Hoekstra</span></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhd_UhTDgN8FexpNdcC4m_aZSEpqRtO7glsiv8bC2xuG1GJrr_2-WW3WdzFqxNZ2s8rCJLJ02NWbfKIe8Ef5Udy9oUa4Sehf_eiIiNf90jOkmq6WjpB6CzryZ_zCgpBa1wIvauoetZWWdNLnemNh635Q5swH0Ivk0Eih3yf_3XNLFUQjUM1xwFYa_VMbA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="979" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhd_UhTDgN8FexpNdcC4m_aZSEpqRtO7glsiv8bC2xuG1GJrr_2-WW3WdzFqxNZ2s8rCJLJ02NWbfKIe8Ef5Udy9oUa4Sehf_eiIiNf90jOkmq6WjpB6CzryZ_zCgpBa1wIvauoetZWWdNLnemNh635Q5swH0Ivk0Eih3yf_3XNLFUQjUM1xwFYa_VMbA=s16000" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #073763;">Carillon player Frank Steijns. Photo by
Arnaud Nilwik</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">Carillonneur Frank Steijns (52) will perform on May 5th in
Washington DC on the restored Netherlands Carillon for a Freedom Concert.
"It will sound over the National Cemetery where so many lay who fought for
our freedom. John F. Kennedy notably is also buried there, and that I may play
there is a great honor," says the Maastricht native.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;">What a few minutes of video on YouTube can lead to. As a little
something extra, Steijns posted a video on a social platform last summer wherein
he plays on the carillon in Weert Motörhead's metal classic "</span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">Ace of Spades</span><span style="color: #073763; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;">." together with guitarist Jitse Zonneveld. The video
went viral and the band Motörhead was so impressed that they sent Steijns and
Zonneveld a Motörhead T-shirt as a thank you. "Because of that video, the
Dutch embassy in Washington came to me and invited me to play the carillon on
May 5. They saw that clip and thought: Him, we must have! Then you realize how
large a scope YouTube has."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">Queen Juliana<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #073763;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 22pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGQw4nkOoHG2fdx1uphYIM498B4MtWefyKjOCnQ3bfVON6KQHyImyPGBM87L5dLe7iGU_x-RmAcNNTS_6XkJLLm7fyTY2Juh0j7yHi2zjNrtqg6CRRb_bkE7loE9x9ekwCrSevFrJ2sATd5pw4GP27nlHg4ZfhB8IdtwNBqueCXDkpDtq2_YtQEBqRg/s606/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="501" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGQw4nkOoHG2fdx1uphYIM498B4MtWefyKjOCnQ3bfVON6KQHyImyPGBM87L5dLe7iGU_x-RmAcNNTS_6XkJLLm7fyTY2Juh0j7yHi2zjNrtqg6CRRb_bkE7loE9x9ekwCrSevFrJ2sATd5pw4GP27nlHg4ZfhB8IdtwNBqueCXDkpDtq2_YtQEBqRg/w266-h320/3.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #073763;"><div style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;">The carillon in Washington DC is not just a carillon, it was
the national gift of the Netherlands to America as thanks for the liberation.
" Given by Queen Juliana during her first state visit to America. Only the
carillon never did sound good, because the bells were poured by three different
Dutch bell foundries instead of one, which is much better for the homogeneity
of the sound quality. It was another typical Dutch polder solution: to distribute
the assignment fairly and equally. Now the bells have been restored by bell
foundry Eijsbouts in Asten, the Netherlands and finally they sound like they should."</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">The May 5th concert will be dedicated to freedom. "I am
playing the carillon together with my American colleague Edward Nasser and my
wife Madieke Marjon, will sing two songs from "The Bells." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Text by Edgar Allan Poe, in a composition for song
and carillon which I wrote on behalf of Yale University."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Metallica</span></b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">At the special request of the Americans, Steijns will also
play some modern music. "Since in the US the combination of carillon with
modern music is not well known, but they are curious about that. The first part
will mainly be music to honor the dead, but in addition to that <b>I will also
play works by Glenn Miller, and the Stars</b> <b>and Stripes Forever March,</b> so also some
modern music pieces. I still have to make that selection, but I'm thinking
about, for example, "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica. Also because
this would fit very well in terms of the program."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">According to Steijns, bells have been a symbol of peace and
freedom for centuries. "Because in times of war these large copper bells
were often the first victims, they were confiscated and melted down to make
weapons. When the bells rang again, you knew the war was over. The carillon
used to be the radio of the people. Napoleon stripped it of its ecclesiastical
ties and the government then determined what was to be played on it and by
whom. That is still the case, as a carillonneur I am also a civil servant
appointed by the government."</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEdCG0lETyzDNPa_886B2JvqUdfMuuacWZlk7yDDKu5ofOay5Ue4LmzPvd1cNu84gIUy1PUSWvgJA2ISwfwogftMUDt5NZnql3RhonVqtJlOOvJRG0JilKwdpvt0w-BaxPNhEqcEK8o83wvdAL42JDHsMiki6qhVPg9IBr9Ob-qVVO040xRN-2_Ra_w/s834/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEdCG0lETyzDNPa_886B2JvqUdfMuuacWZlk7yDDKu5ofOay5Ue4LmzPvd1cNu84gIUy1PUSWvgJA2ISwfwogftMUDt5NZnql3RhonVqtJlOOvJRG0JilKwdpvt0w-BaxPNhEqcEK8o83wvdAL42JDHsMiki6qhVPg9IBr9Ob-qVVO040xRN-2_Ra_w/s16000/4.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">There's
something magical about hearing the carillon resound all over the city, because
the richness of those bells is enormous.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">Frank Steijns,
carilloneur<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">Good times, bad
times</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">The bells are increasingly playing modern music. That
started in the early nineties with the carillonneur of the Utrecht Cathedral
who at one point let the tune of "Good Times, Bad Times" reverberate over
the city. Now it is very common to use the carillon for special occasions. "The
people love it, the reactions are purely positive. I think it has to do with
the contrast: bells, hundreds of years old, which were already sounding when
the barge was still passing through the Meuse and people transported themselves
by horse and cart through the city, that, since now those bells now are playing
pop classics, which fascinates people. And at the same time, there's something
magical about hearing them sound throughout the city, because the range of
those bells is enormous. It is the greatest musical instrument that exists and
really of a different order than a violin or a flute."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">Education</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">As city carillonneur of Maastricht, Weert and Heerlen and he
is also a violinist in André Rieu's orchestra, so Steijns is a busy man. Aren't
there any new carillon players who can take some of the pressure off his
shoulders? "There are two places where you can learn the profession of
carillonneur, one in Utrecht and the other in Mechelen, Belgium. But the
problem is that you can't practice at home. For that you have to go to a place
where there is a carillon, which is a big hindrance. I now do have a student
myself, the Russian soprano Anna Emelyanova."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">When Steijns on May 5th is the first to bring the restored
Netherlands carillon back to life in Washington DC, he will undoubtedly think of
Motörhead for a moment, because the rendition of their metal classic put him on
the radar of the embassy in Washington DC. "While I didn't really know the
band well, it was Jitse who was the real superfan. But I still have the
Motörhead T-shirt in my wardrobe and there will probably be an opportunity that
I can play "Ace of Spades" and then I will definitely put on that
T-shirt!"</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">The freedom concert with carillonneur Frank Steijns will be
streamed on May 5th via the site of the Dutch embassy in Washington.</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">Thanks to John for his translation<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>*Note</b>, May 5th in the Netherlands is celebrated as Liberation Day in WWII </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-42031446481661043862022-03-31T14:06:00.001-07:002022-03-31T14:06:30.928-07:00André Rieu’s Orchestra Healthy Again<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4B_S8Dzptaa146u5SZY5lCEd96c0NF_-H5q-xVzZL0ND0QBT1WjoCZrc-3NRE1Xuyjj9GWNkTZl6hM4AHJemyjIbxzN3_sSTuOnrdrML2riyKc8FMBZlmrV_VSFCu1FUUqlvAOdKSPVcX9JVxj76Usd_UpUzJVg99uMOUG3jYVFFuyCfR3xdcNZHmLg/s768/Rieu_Lissabon_Portugal_140319_01154_LR-768x512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="768" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4B_S8Dzptaa146u5SZY5lCEd96c0NF_-H5q-xVzZL0ND0QBT1WjoCZrc-3NRE1Xuyjj9GWNkTZl6hM4AHJemyjIbxzN3_sSTuOnrdrML2riyKc8FMBZlmrV_VSFCu1FUUqlvAOdKSPVcX9JVxj76Usd_UpUzJVg99uMOUG3jYVFFuyCfR3xdcNZHmLg/w400-h267/Rieu_Lissabon_Portugal_140319_01154_LR-768x512.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: verdana;">André Rieu’s Orchestra Healthy Again </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: verdana;">Three Were Really Sick</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Limburger. By
Timo Schmid, March 30, 2022.- </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 22pt;">André Rieu's
dozens of Johann Strauss orchestra members are completely healed. Son Pierre
Rieu says that about 40 orchestra members were infected with the corona virus
in recent weeks, three of whom were really ill. Due to the corona infections in
his team, André Rieu had to decide to cancel his tour in America and Canada.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">40 Infections<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The three who
were really sick, had </span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">flu
symptoms and were in bed with a fever for 2 to 3 days,” says Pierre. Meanwhile,
everyone is healthy and well in the Netherlands again. Some of the orchestra
members, because of the corona infection, had to "become well again"
in America.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><b><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">No More Test Evidence<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">What makes it extra
difficult for the world famous Maastricht violinist, is that Canada no longer
requires negative tests evidence from travelers as of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1 April 2022. Pierre said: “We all had to
test and then suddenly we had 27 positive tests, while no one was bothered by
anything. That meant the we could no longer enter Canada,” says Pierre. The
concerts in North America will be caught up in September 2023.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Thanks to Ineke
for the article and hers and John's translation</span></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-22569628682520787152022-02-08T09:49:00.003-08:002022-02-08T09:50:46.220-08:00 André Rieu and His Orchestra Will Be Giving Free Music Lessons<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 28pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;">A</span></b><span class="jlqj4b" style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 28pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;">ndré
Rieu and His Orchestra Will Be Giving Free Music Lessons To Maastricht Children Who Grow
Up In Poverty</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiepoz61qByIskm6cseietVLXZk4i-o3n3O0AIxiKiWrlGLXLGK4_As94xkrW9c8F-BnXXFUzZVnzuaF8ya3WI6SOcO20t8ArrX9Q_4xjt243tzP2-Sg2sQlKNPTVH1OUpbDU_JmRI1umTz2Wc14q_eT4b5ezfvox88dfVYTNib1_zBocLTDP5SjDUrLw=s599" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="599" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiepoz61qByIskm6cseietVLXZk4i-o3n3O0AIxiKiWrlGLXLGK4_As94xkrW9c8F-BnXXFUzZVnzuaF8ya3WI6SOcO20t8ArrX9Q_4xjt243tzP2-Sg2sQlKNPTVH1OUpbDU_JmRI1umTz2Wc14q_eT4b5ezfvox88dfVYTNib1_zBocLTDP5SjDUrLw=w640-h424" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">André Rieu, Addie Redmeijer
(left) in Rieu’s music studio. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: 26.6667px; text-align: center;"><b>February 1, 2022 De Limburger, by Merel Visscher. Photo credits: Harry Heuts:</b> </span><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">Using music to
make social contradictions smaller. That is what violinist André Rieu has in
mind with the free music lessons he wants to give to the underprivileged
children of Maastricht.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">“The goal is
to introduce children, who are not familiar with music at home, to instruments
and music”, Rieu explains. These lessons are paid for by Rieu himself, who is
making four hundred thousand Euros available for this, together with a
contribution from the Elisabeth Strouven Fund. The Maastricht violinist wants to
start the lessons this year. Where the lessons will be given and which children
are to be selected, will be worked out this year, together with Elisabeth
Strouven and Addie Redmeijer of the welfare institution “Trajekt”.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 24pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">Source</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">“The seeds for
the idea were sown about four years ago”, say André and Marjorie Rieu. “We were
visiting Annemarie Penn-te Strake and asked her how she felt about being the
Mayor of Maastricht. She said she thought it was a great job, but she also
found so much poverty in the city. We then started thinking about what we could
do in that regard.” In the meantime, activities have been organized by the Rieu
orchestra where children can get acquainted with music, but the plan is to
tackle it structurally now.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 24pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">Instrument</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">The orchestra
members are also involved in the project. According to Rieu, many registered
spontaneously. The music lessons are not one-on-one, but in groups. The
children are immersed in the music and are allowed to choose an instrument
themselves, under expert guidance, which they want to learn to play. “I get my
inspiration from Venezuela, El Sistema. It is a huge success there.” "El
Sistema" is free music education, set up in the slums in the 1970s by
musician José Antonio Abreu. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 24pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">Inventory</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">The problem,
due to privacy legislation, was finding children who qualify for this, since
the municipality is not allowed to just provide addresses. That is how Rieu
came into contact with Addie Redmeijer, who assists Maastricht families in
crisis situations through the “Trajekt” program. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">Redmeijer:
"I am active in every district of Maastricht, so I try to take inventory
of which children would qualify for this. The music program is not intended to
jump into the middle of Kumulus (music school)”, Rieu assures. “Many children
who receive education at Kumulus come from an environment where music is
already part of their life at home. This is about kids who don't. We think
music can be of great help to these children in their lives.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">Thanks to Ineke
for this article and her and John's combined translation</span></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-42251540707859563802022-02-08T08:58:00.001-08:002022-02-08T08:58:21.567-08:00 Record Number of Rieu Concerts At The Vrijthof<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial Black", "sans-serif"; font-size: 26pt; text-align: center;">Record Number of André
Rieu Concerts At The Vrijthof</span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">With the announcement of the 15th concert of the
summer series on the Vrijthof in Maastricht, André Rieu is heading for a
record. After two years of stagnation due to the corona crisis, the famous
orchestra leader will give more concerts than ever before in his hometown</span></b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5BDrAuWjzfBCT7HfqaaAVf4uBxDvOJGi_FeygstwHYx8Z5fVJsHcVHWv_YhbOP0cF9zbcAvRZebVC4moVPG6phuESfGPeMWZVBNq_H7FWcVd1Ii59-i3pJypV5DjAT3ytHqzGkcTogFf87df7u9zcrCNspu-vIEhfrbbJ4h3qgjwKX7zhQ_VjkOokcg=s622" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="622" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5BDrAuWjzfBCT7HfqaaAVf4uBxDvOJGi_FeygstwHYx8Z5fVJsHcVHWv_YhbOP0cF9zbcAvRZebVC4moVPG6phuESfGPeMWZVBNq_H7FWcVd1Ii59-i3pJypV5DjAT3ytHqzGkcTogFf87df7u9zcrCNspu-vIEhfrbbJ4h3qgjwKX7zhQ_VjkOokcg=w640-h422" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Twelve
concerts were already set for July 2022, and since most tickets sold in 2020
are still valid, there will be three new concerts added. The entire series of
concerts starts on July 7 and will continue until July 31, with a break at the
beginning of each week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;">At every
concert, about 11,000 people come to the Vrijthof, are on the square or the
catering terraces.</span><span style="font-size: 20pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 20pt;">This means that at
least 165,000 fans from home and abroad will come to the Limburg capital this
year. Especially for the hotels, restaurants and shops in Maastricht and
surrounding areas, this is a welcome event after the successive lockdowns.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">In the
beginning of March 2020, André Rieu had to cancel his tour through America due
to the outbreak of the pandemic. During the rest of the year he and his
orchestra did not perform anywhere else. In 2021 he only gave four concerts in
Lisbon, which were in the beginning of December.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">This year
looks better for the violinist. In February there are some performances planned
in Spain, in March a tour through America is also planned and during the following
months there are a lot of concerts on the program abroad, ahead of the Vrijthof
summer event.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;">Thanks
Ineke for this article and John's translation</span></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-86338625475729132992021-12-08T08:41:00.000-08:002021-12-08T08:41:30.702-08:00André Rieu Now I Am Living My Dream Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYYc3t5H9Y34BoXSKL9xonTACDhWUOUDdqjsl-TaEae75B0MClceoSb0X0ykUqhKZTWsZo4QdszC-UDSXMTrF60WfGvzRBkqgs6PzAtqcl1kHiIAIyLAmZ4Glz81Q7m5qZhl8v_2TuYyxJuDwpGVAO9P20HEMmkntBgE5E0pHbqBEDocUR9uL8nmrLAA=s657" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="657" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYYc3t5H9Y34BoXSKL9xonTACDhWUOUDdqjsl-TaEae75B0MClceoSb0X0ykUqhKZTWsZo4QdszC-UDSXMTrF60WfGvzRBkqgs6PzAtqcl1kHiIAIyLAmZ4Glz81Q7m5qZhl8v_2TuYyxJuDwpGVAO9P20HEMmkntBgE5E0pHbqBEDocUR9uL8nmrLAA=s16000" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="WordSection1"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Violinist </span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">André</span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Rieu </span></b></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">Now I Am Living My Dream Again</span></span></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">With
his Johann Strauss Orchestra , André Rieu (72)</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; line-height: 115%;">normally travels all over the
world and he draws full halls everywhere. For almost two years, the
Netherlands' best-known artist was forced to stay at home. A huge task for
someone who cannot sit still. Optimistic as he is, he's never lost hope. "Fortunately,
Marjorie and I can put things well into perspective."</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "serif"; font-size: 26pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Plus Magazine, December 2021, by Margriet de
Groot.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I used</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;"> to be a dreamer and fascinated by everything you could make with your
own hands. When I passed a construction site on my way to school, I could just
forget about the time and stay there watching it for hours. My brother Robert and
I had built a soapbox together, which we would forever tinker with. Whenever we
had the chance, we always played outside and were being little hooligans, but I
wasn't given much freedom as a child. Home felt like a monastery. My father was
conductor of the Limburg Symphony Orchestra. My two older sisters, two younger
brothers, my youngest sister and I all had to play an instrument. Not for fun,
but as part of my upbringing. I found the violin by far the most beautiful
instrument; that full string sound and the way all the bows in an orchestra
moved up and down at the same time ........ wonderful. As a youngster I liked the
second movement of the violin concerto the best, which is where the piece usually
becomes soft and sensitive. I still and especially like melodic, romantic music
which brings people to tears. Finger-snapping note-acrobatics does not do
anything for me. As a five year old I received my first violin lesson. From
that moment on I had to practice every day for at least an hour. I would rather prefer to stand in front of
the window dreaming away and just play beautiful music just by feel. Then the
voice of my mother from downstairs sounded, and she commanded I practice scales
and etudes. There was no appreciation for my musicality. My father was never
interested in me or my music. In fact, when I started the salon orchestra after
the conservatory, he disapproved of my choice of music. He has actually only
been once to one of my concerts, and left half way through.</span></span></p></div>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">My Father has never </span></b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">been
interested </span></b></span><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">in me</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqR_TfA7ykybudvLA9kg5TK7jkSBlCr_ZmtgiD_JYUycla5VBfEDsBYW3ky1Po6JmllGfFjnhr632l9RdgF7QZM9zuR5ewNOMnHLSSndik1sDXz5x9lKFqV9Y2Fv0fOTWBr9-HKRCT24E0kuZnsJO8DrsE9FjVCSmb-pHrgmrypWQo74o5jnlD8rFySQ=s526" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="345" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqR_TfA7ykybudvLA9kg5TK7jkSBlCr_ZmtgiD_JYUycla5VBfEDsBYW3ky1Po6JmllGfFjnhr632l9RdgF7QZM9zuR5ewNOMnHLSSndik1sDXz5x9lKFqV9Y2Fv0fOTWBr9-HKRCT24E0kuZnsJO8DrsE9FjVCSmb-pHrgmrypWQo74o5jnlD8rFySQ=w263-h400" width="263" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;">My mother has never been. I followed my heart and feelings and that is
against the classical music rules. It is considered a mortal sin when you, just
like me, play only the nicest pieces from a symphony. My father not only
disowned me as a musician, but also as a son. It was never right between us. Even
on his deathbed he barely wanted to see me. My mother never mediated between
us, she was even worse than he was. She never believed in me. I had a very
strict and loveless youth. That I now can feel and express love myself, I think
is because for the first three months of my life I was raised by a very sweet and
warm neighborhood nurse.</span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"> A</span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;">fter giving birth, my
mother was in the hospital with severe anemia. Your punch card is made for you during
the first three months of your life. I owe a lot to my brother Robert, we
formed quite a bond. I also had a special bond with my youngest sister. There
is a 10 year age difference, and to me she was always "my doll" and I
was sort of a father figure to her. Robert has really suffered due to the
situation at home. He still has difficulties with it. I was able to put it
behind me, thanks to therapy. And I can really recommend therapy to everyone. Together
with my wife we spent four years in therapy. She too did not have a nice
upbringing. We wanted to get rid of all that baggage before we would think
about having children.</span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;">The most important lesson
is that you can't change the past nor the other person. Looking back doesn't do
any good either, you have to keep going. Marjorie has been my salvation. When
she entered my life, I went my own way. I still remember very well that when I said
at home at the table that I was going to stay with Marjorie. It was as if I
dropped an atomic bomb. I was already 24, 25 years old! I knew Marjorie for
quite a while. She was in the same class with my now deceased sister and came to our house
frequently. Back then we already liked each other. Later, when I was studying
at the Brussels conservatory, she visited me once and we started writing each
other letters. Very long letters. She studied German and Italian and gave me a
book as a gift by the German writer Thomas Mann. To impress her I wrote letters
in his style. Nine months after her first visit, we were married.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMg3THylUL93kLBi0r3cB451fBPmJ9aksLADAFBrLeZR2Hil5_dCs4u2mHdoQNza-wCuNLIxQS6zOLDLWmR8IfpKN1nLTy6L-3pLQw_X-WfI3i-eu4nxY4FtfLezUHSieFa4mPA-_f3zmpr9Bw-DfLOngATlljNpiPd-aT2J88VPEUQNGI5RZXu2NNjg=s715" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="715" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMg3THylUL93kLBi0r3cB451fBPmJ9aksLADAFBrLeZR2Hil5_dCs4u2mHdoQNza-wCuNLIxQS6zOLDLWmR8IfpKN1nLTy6L-3pLQw_X-WfI3i-eu4nxY4FtfLezUHSieFa4mPA-_f3zmpr9Bw-DfLOngATlljNpiPd-aT2J88VPEUQNGI5RZXu2NNjg=s16000" /></a></div><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;"><b>Now I am living my dream again</b></span><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;"> To play together with a tight bunch of
musicians is what I have always wanted. My entire life. The atmosphere, contact
with the public...all of the sudden corona took my dream away. Horrible!!!
Everything I worked hard for all those years, stopped abruptly. We just kept
moving tours around, or calling them off. Was it for just six months? One year?
Two years? No idea. But being very lucky
that all my orchestra members are in permanently employment. They kept their
wages and I had their guarantee that in the meantime they would not seek other
employment. The uncertainty of how long
it would last was the worst. I am an entrepreneur and always think in terms of
solutions. When there is a problem I am used to solving that. Now the problem
was outside my control and I could not fix it. I am an event. My company costs
me a million per month. When it runs, everything goes fine and there is no need
to worry, but without Government subsistence we would not have made it. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">After we interrupted our American tour I had nothing left to do, so I
started baking cakes at home. When abroad on tour I can never fall asleep right
away after a concert. I find baking videos relaxing, and I have watched
hundreds of them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorites are those
by Cees Holtkamp. Now I had the time, so why not get started? Every day I made
a different cake to give away. I let Cees taste them and he informed me that I
turned out to be quite a good baker. Everything I do, I do with pleasure, from
playing the violin to baking cakes. It keeps me young and healthy. I always
need to be busy and like to use my hands. What my eyes see, I make with my
hands. I used to build everything from fences to houses, but since the time I
almost lost my thumb, I've stopped doing that. Baking is safer for a violinist.
I eat quite healthy, do not consume alcohol and work out three times a
week<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>together with my son. During Corona
I also started to learn Spanish, very convenient since we perform often in
South America. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The moment the RIVM (Dutch National Institute</span><span style="background: white; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;"> for Public Health and the
Environment) allowed us to rehearse together again, was unforgettable. Goose
bumps!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the funny thing is: it felt
as we had never done anything else. It is so nice for all us to be able to make
music together again. That gives me quite an adrenaline kick. We immediately
made a CD, "Happy Together". It was done within a month. We thought
that it was such a shame so we decided to make yet another CD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn't have anything else to do. It turned
out to be a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas CD for next year,
just to get into the mood. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #20124d;">That I have not become depressed lately
is because Marjorie and I can place things very well into perspective. We are both full of life and apparently
reinforce each other. She is very wise, I tend to go by my feelings, but always
give her my ideas first. Although I have to be honest and say that most ideas are
hers, and I execute them. We've always had a close relationship. I need that. I
wanted to marry someone with whom I could do everything together, no matter
what. Marjorie herself does not play an instrument, but listens to music the
entire day. She was used to that at home, music there played an important role.
At a totally different situation than at our house. For us, music meant hard
work, there they listened with their hearts and enjoyed all sorts of music.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">Later on</span><span style="background: white; font-size: 36pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;">I look forward towards our first concert in Maastricht. The plan is to
give three big Christmas Concerts in the MECC. What a special and emotional
reunion that will be with the audience. Christmas itself we are at home. We
celebrate exclusively with our two sons, daughters-in-law and the
grandchildren. The tradition is, the children do the cooking, which they do
very well. Preferably we like to end our Christmas meal with a walk to the
St.Peters hill. Wouldn't it be nice if this year it would be covered in white
snow.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Marjorie is very wise, I tend</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"> to follow my
feelings more</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 22pt;">We are a close family, our youngest son
Pierre</span><span style="font-size: 22pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 22pt;">works in the company and with his
family lives on our property. We are crazy about our grand-children but we
immediately said that we would not become babysitting grandparents. We are much
to active for that. Due to Corona we were forced to back-off, but soon want to
go full speed again.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;">Stopping has never entered my mind. My
work is too much fun. I want to keep making music, for as long as I live. And
if possible, I would like to become 140, which means I am just halfway now.
With the technical possibilities and medical developments of today, a lot is
possible. They are working on advanced contact lenses that focus themselves,
temper the light and determine from your eye fluid whether you suffering from
an illness. They are also experimenting with a kind of small submarines which
are injected into your body and they can heal you. I warmly welcome
developments of this kind. I would be the first to stand in line for them. In
20 years we will probably be there. </span><span style="background: white; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I will then still be on stage and
still living in my dream.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>André Rieu</b></span><span style="font-family: Estrangelo Edessa;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">(Maastricht 1949)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Studied violin at the
conservatories of Liège, Maastricht and Brussels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">In 1978 he founded the
Maastricht Salon Orchestra, which he extended in 1987 and changed it into the
Johann Strauss Orchestra. Up until 1991 he was also a violinist in the Limburg
Symphony Orchestra, which his father conducted for many years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">In 1994 he broke through with
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>"T</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">he Second Waltz"</b> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">His name has been well
established worldwide. Yearly he and his orchestra travel with sumptuous decors
across the world to sold out concerts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">His next performances in the
Netherlands are "Christmas with André Rieu" on December 17, 18 and 19
in the MECC in Maastricht and a New Years concert on 8 January in the Ziggo
Dome in Amsterdam.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">André is married to Marjorie
and they have two grown up sons and five grandchildren. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Note: </b>The Christmas Concerts n December and the New
Years concert in January have all been rescheduled due to the Corona Virus.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-large;">Thanks
to Ineke and Ruud for this article </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-large;"><span> <span> A</span></span>nd John's Translation</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">.</span><o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-91150124939510159032021-11-21T22:01:00.004-08:002021-11-21T22:01:31.589-08:00André Rieu on Cancelling Shows:<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">CHRISTMAS <span> <span>C</span></span>ONCERTS CANCELLED<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">André Rieu on cancelling shows: 'Going partying now
is morally irresponsible</span></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span></b></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJ_aJX08dZT0UePG0Cc3mdsUENpB9rYYRDeppeWypj-cidud8M12l3NH0Y7dZWV3ZGS40AdRJINyheaA8Fm732kHJw25q9eRMEc6wA0yaFzVYJp_PAc6kbZ8DR1kaNwLVUSsxUER2iXDb/s622/new+post.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="622" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJ_aJX08dZT0UePG0Cc3mdsUENpB9rYYRDeppeWypj-cidud8M12l3NH0Y7dZWV3ZGS40AdRJINyheaA8Fm732kHJw25q9eRMEc6wA0yaFzVYJp_PAc6kbZ8DR1kaNwLVUSsxUER2iXDb/w640-h428/new+post.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Photo André Rieu Productions</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">He could
have waited for the next press conference by the outgoing cabinet. And maybe
then the signal could have gone green for the Christmas concerts in the
Maastricht MECC. "But," says André Rieu, "that is morally
irresponsible. You can't have 36,000 people partying, while a hundred meters
away people in the ICU are fighting for their lives and healthcare workers are
in danger of falling over."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><b>de
Limburger, by Robb Cobben</b> - </span><span style="font-size: 22pt;">The three
planned Christmas concerts of André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra on
17, 18 and 19 December in the Maastricht MECC will not take place. Just like
last year, they are cancelled due to the corona pandemic. "The rapidly
rising infection rates do not make any other decision possible," says
Rieu.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"It
was with pain in my heart that I made this decision. Because actually, after
nineteen months without concerts, we would like nothing better than to jump on
stage and play. But the way I feel, this is the only good thing to do
now."</span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">What we do for many people's lives is the icing on the cake of. Andre
Rieu</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The outgoing government will come up with a new press conference on 4
December. And just maybe possibly less restrictions might be possible after
that date. "But," says Rieu, "to let the concerts go ahead is
morally irresponsible. You can't have 36,000 people partying while a hundred
feet away people are fighting for their lives in the ICU. And healthcare
workers are in danger of collapsing."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">That is why it was decided yesterday to postpone the three planned
Christmas shows to December 2022. The tickets sold – for the three performances
with a capacity of 12,000 spectators each were almost sold out – will remain
valid for the new dates.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">For Rieu, the cancellation means a financial dilemma. "Actually,
it is very bitter, because we are in a situation where we cannot afford this at
all. We haven't been able to give concerts for nineteen months. And therefore
have no income. But if the decision for us is not made, we will do it
ourselves."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Large amount<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">How much money he will be missing out on by cancelling the three
Christmas shows, he does not want to say. "But you can be certain that it
is a very large amount." The orchestra leader hopes that the government
will come up with new support measures. "We are very grateful to have a
government that has spent billions in supporting businesses. Without that help,
we wouldn't be existing today. We have 130 permanent employees. We assume that
new support measures will follow, because otherwise companies will vanish. Then
the support for the first period of the pandemic would still have been in
vain."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Not only the shows in Maastricht have been cancelled. Rieu and his
orchestra would have given concerts in Bratislava, Vienna, Cologne and Leipzig starting
next week. Those performances too will also not take place. "The situation
there in terms of infections, is just as alarming as it is here."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Lisbon<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The only four shows which are scheduled from 1 to 4 December are in
Lisbon, and remain on the agenda for the time being. The corona-virus pandemic
seems to be under control In Portugal. "We hope that those concerts can take
place. We are all very eager to get that energy boost. Making people happy with
our music, that's what we do it for."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The orchestra leader and violinist is convinced that the 'hunger' for
his orchestra and music will remain. "What we do for many people is the
icing on the cake of a lifetime. They look forward to our concerts, sometimes look
forward to those for a year and enjoy them immensely."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Thanks to John for this article and his translation</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-82015971045075815912021-11-13T11:32:00.001-08:002021-11-13T11:32:54.326-08:00 André Rieu Doubtful About His Christmas Concerts In The MECC<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">André Rieu Doubtful About His </span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Christmas Concerts In The MECC</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">1Limburg, by Jo Cortenradt, Friday 12 November</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jGV9of6gOpWkTTVNSgj0IgMhgttAimJa13AC8LTlseoGGngHbMgBwsSabcHpUjrYXP436uUhrkAu_4JTBFOXxarYFpY2dhARRKvnHgZ5iYWDoYRq3x6gjMae4x3T_zE0gdNHM7YZWMp2/s621/post+now.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="621" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jGV9of6gOpWkTTVNSgj0IgMhgttAimJa13AC8LTlseoGGngHbMgBwsSabcHpUjrYXP436uUhrkAu_4JTBFOXxarYFpY2dhARRKvnHgZ5iYWDoYRq3x6gjMae4x3T_zE0gdNHM7YZWMp2/w640-h360/post+now.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">André
Rieu's Christmas concerts at the MECC in Maastricht may not take place this
year.</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"We
will be considering the situation in the coming week," says the Maastricht
orchestra leader. He does not want to draw a definitive line through the
concerts yet and wants to keep all options open.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Uncertain<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Although
the measures announced by the outgoing cabinet initially apply for three weeks,
there is still uncertainty about a possible extension. "Based on the new
rules, the three concerts cannot take place," says Rieu. The concerts are
scheduled for 17, 18 and 19 December.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Corona<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">In 2019
André Rieu started his Christmas concerts at the MECC. He invested a lot in the
décor and hoped to be able to earn it back in the following years. But in 2020,
the concerts had to be cancelled due to corona.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Thanks John
for this quick article.</b></span></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-29880263366899626862021-09-30T12:11:00.003-07:002021-09-30T12:11:54.439-07:00Sanne Mestrom, saxophonist with the Johann Strauss Orchestra, <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlC51AW8dBJDfGY_YS9Ro2772LvlfMvMMaBE23KpP-ui7mb2tZRzv2nBz0mKqKR5KEjI3Z9BVFLzuCt6wbtiuGIsU0ghKyNyO2sMYJWfpQa34361Ovp4oNy42gSwv8_N7FzQqGTcB_Zcu/s1251/TOP+PICTURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1251" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlC51AW8dBJDfGY_YS9Ro2772LvlfMvMMaBE23KpP-ui7mb2tZRzv2nBz0mKqKR5KEjI3Z9BVFLzuCt6wbtiuGIsU0ghKyNyO2sMYJWfpQa34361Ovp4oNy42gSwv8_N7FzQqGTcB_Zcu/w640-h406/TOP+PICTURE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></o:p></span></span><span class="jlqj4b" style="color: #20124d;"><b><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sanne Mestrom</span></b></span><span class="jlqj4b" style="color: #20124d;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">,
saxophonist with the Johann Strauss Orchestra, and about joy and music.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 26pt;"><b>Where music sounds, you are at home</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span class="jlqj4b" style="color: #20124d;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20pt;">Adams A-magazine.</span></span><span class="viiyi" style="color: #20124d;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b" style="color: #20124d;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20pt;">Sep 2021- </span></span><span style="color: #20124d;">Especially during the iconic Boléro by Maurice Ravel
and the famous "Second Waltz" by Dmitri Shostakovich, Sanne Mestrom
has to work with her saxophone in the Johann Strauss Orchestra of André Rieu.
Although she is mainly of service to the collective and flamboyant orchestra
leader, the modest saxophonist still enjoys the spotlight that is occasionally
focused on her. “The fun we have on stage is authentic. We enjoy the music and
the enthusiastic audience that flocks from all corners of the world to experience
André's show. Because that is what it is every time, for us, for André and for
the public,: a unique experience.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 20pt;">A conversation with a passionate musician who as a
child was already captivated by the magic of André Rieu and his orchestra. “I
found the combination of music with visual aspects (including the dazzling
dresses) irresistible. Now</span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 20pt;">I've been a
part of it for years. Music is pure joy. You see that, you hear and it and you
feel it."</span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZl-pgqcLb006m6lnybUw1TJiJfgy-bKE8gCWdTIcwq7ud5-99f8eUM7Aj8hS0nt-MRA3LuVgxVvUWi9wL7abbe0pbT4dtT0yClBmunpY78eo2IfELXqyVO2UrvjZHAMKZeokTDKkGm5wc/s1137/FULL-PICTURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZl-pgqcLb006m6lnybUw1TJiJfgy-bKE8gCWdTIcwq7ud5-99f8eUM7Aj8hS0nt-MRA3LuVgxVvUWi9wL7abbe0pbT4dtT0yClBmunpY78eo2IfELXqyVO2UrvjZHAMKZeokTDKkGm5wc/w281-h400/FULL-PICTURE.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">AROUND THE WORLD <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sanne Mestrom (1984) would have preferred it to be
differently.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Then this year she
was once again crisscrossing around the world to convey the universal message
of the language of the heart, evening after evening in André Rieu's orchestra.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Corona
threw, like so often, a wrench in the works.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Never
the less,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>during the meeting at C-Mine
in Genk, Sanne shows herself in a good mood and optimistic about the future.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“We
are definitely going to pick up the thread again.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Everyone
is eager to go wild.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
myself by nature am quite impatient<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and
quickly bored.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">That's why I took
singing lessons.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In that sense I have
used the time well to take my interest in singing again a bit more seriously.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There
is no point in sitting back and down.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Whenever
it is possible,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>all of us are ready to
go wild.”</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">MORE MUSIC <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Sanne Mestrom has known that since she joined the
Johann Strauss Orchestra in 2005, that music touches hearts and is boundless.
Her proverbial playing field stretches from Shanghai to Buenos Aires and from
Mestreech to Oklahoma. André Rieu has grown into a wear-resistant global brand.
“Seeing merry people is the most beautiful thing there is. From the stage we
are confronted with a large, cheerful crowd night after night. A greater energy
boost is unthinkable. What could be more beautiful than seeing people having
the time of their lives, being touched by heartwarming music? That never gets
boring. In fact, you would wish the world's population much more music in their
hearts.” There is no shortage of superlatives. André Rieu was not placed in the
cradle in Maastricht for small potatoes. His career revolves around the grand
gesture. Creatively, there<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is never a
lack of ideas. As a child, Sanne Mestrom was already mesmerized by the
fairytale<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>atmosphere which surrounded
André Rieu and his orchestra's concerts. “At home in Maasbracht-Beek with my
parents and two year younger brother, I dreamed away in front of the TV, when I
saw André with his orchestra. I absolutely loved seeing contrabass player Jean
Sassen<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the orchestra. I already knew him
as the conductor of my marching band, who from my birth on has taken a central
place in my life. I dreamed that one day I would be standing there too.”</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">FATHER'S BRASS
LESSONS <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The first sound Sanne heard must have come from the
brass sounds of her father's students. “My father is a passionate musician. He
was a brass teacher in the evenings. During the day he worked as an HR manager.
My mother worked in the X-ray department of the hospital. The sound of the
trumpet attracted me. And like any curious child I tried to play that trumpet.
When I was five I took piano lessons with Gaby Devies. That went more
playful-wise. At home we also had a piano, so I played on it. I also played
violin for a while. People who love music also love each other. But my love for
wind music really ignited when I came in contact with the sound of the
saxophone. The saxophone section of my marching band consisted of the best
saxophonists in the Netherlands: among others like Marlaine van Lier,
Jean-Pierre Cnoops and my uncle Frank Meuwissen.” “Those people – all
professionals – put me on the track of the saxophone. I am eternally grateful
to them for that. Fortunately I could not escape their great sound and
influence.. It was a luxury to have these people near me. Frank Meuwissen gave
me my first lesson. He plays in the Glenn Miller Orchestra and occasionally
with Rieu when multiple saxophones are needed. Nothing is more valuable than
learning from the best."</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">BAND, AUDITION AND
BOLERO<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">“It is extraordinary that a village in Central
Limburg, in this case Maasbracht-Beek, has so much musical talent,” Sanne
continues. “But it's also not for nothing that wind music, thanks to all those
brass bands and marching bands is so good internationally. Our marching band
has become champion no less than three times in the concert department at the
World Music Competition. I still play in the marching band, when I'm in the
area of course. That bond is very strong.” Although the music was a factor of
great significance, Sanne was not quite sure what the future had in store for
her during her stay at VWO in Echt. "I honestly had little real interests.
I've always loved making music, but I didn't take into account that I would
really make this my profession. I went to the Conservatory in Maastricht. There
I combined saxophone with Norbert Nozy and Arno Bornkamp and piano with Tonie
Ehlen. I did not taste much of the wild student life.. I was always working and
studying. Already in my second year of study I ended up with André in. Jean
Sassen, the double bass player with André Rieu and conductor of my brass band,
called my father to ask if I wanted to audition for André's Vrijthof concerts.
Of course I went to Maastricht; the audition was right away the next day so
there was little time to prepare anything. But it turned out well. Andre was
very nice. But he didn't make it easy for me either. He tested my dynamics.
From very soft to rock hard; I had to be able to play it all.” Laughing: “I was
not prepared to play the Bolero and that was exactly what he told me to play. It
went really fast. He thought I should immediately stay for the subsequent
rehearsal. I have never left."</span></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJRR0URR9NVq17NLUU5hkWAiJKHZ1FMsy13KOsiNQQGSpKLz60m5Tp9dJQwrIgyYgSExZTgSehSTth4kfQhgdgN6qGWyWVXIOXOikUjBf3nOwyvF7zygZHCv0-HFTLo6I1PajKHHiK5aG/s768/SANNE+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="599" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJRR0URR9NVq17NLUU5hkWAiJKHZ1FMsy13KOsiNQQGSpKLz60m5Tp9dJQwrIgyYgSExZTgSehSTth4kfQhgdgN6qGWyWVXIOXOikUjBf3nOwyvF7zygZHCv0-HFTLo6I1PajKHHiK5aG/w313-h400/SANNE+2.JPG" width="313" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">JETLAGS AND SCALES <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">She completed her Conservatory studies between the
various tours and jetlag. In the meantime she has now crossed the world a
number of times with the o</span></span></span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 20pt;">rchestra. That never goes on autopilot, the
impressions are too great for that and the magic of the music and the crowd too
overwhelming. “It touches me every time to see how big André is abroad.
Traveling can be exhausting at times but we always make it a party. Fortunately
I can sleep well en route. We are on the road day and night. It's nice that we
always eat together. That sense of groups community is important. I am
especially grateful to be a part of that musical family. In addition, I have
been given the opportunity to develop within the orchestra.. For example, on
André's advice, I also started playing the bassoon. Music offers endless
opportunities to continue learning, to develop yourself. I dare to say that we
as an orchestra have become better and better in recent years.” She is still in
love with the sound of her soprano saxophone. “Andre also has something to do
with the sound of that instrument. He especially likes the classic timbre.</span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 20pt;">I also need that sound for our repertoire as
well. But the instrument is so versatile that it also comes into its own in the
pop genre and in jazz. In fact, the sax forms a beautiful bridge between the
traditional wood and copper. To improve my skill I still play almost every day.
Yes, scales too.</span><b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>PATER FAMILIAS <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Every member of the orchestra is equally important.
It's more than a team, it's family. That mutual bond is essential. In my
experience you can hear and see that we trust each other. That bond has only
grown stronger in recent years. Of course, not everything is unicorns and
clovers. We also have had hard times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Especially when our orchestra member Ruud Merx suddenly passed away.
That is an indescribable loss and a pain we still feel. But we also continued
in his spirit and grew further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At times
when it is difficult, André is there as a father figure, a Pater familial. And
this corona time is of course also difficult for us. I think people are craving
to see us back at work again. Music in these difficult times is more important
than ever. We are ready for it,” says Sanne resolutely. “I have been living
back in my native village Maasbracht-Beek for a while now. That's nice.
Especially if you're on tour so many times. A good home front is of great
important to me. Sometimes I teach. Then I receive students at home. It's nice
to share knowledge, especially with young people. The survival of musical<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>culture is close to our hearts in the
orchestra and André in particular. That's why it's so good that Adams, who I've
been visiting since I can't remember when , is helping to get projects off the
ground that will help children into contact with music.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">HOME FRAGRANCE<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sanne's world consists of music, that much is clear.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“I
still play in the marching band.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">That's
kind of a home fragrance that I experience there.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In
that aspect, the marching band can easily be<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>compared l with the Johann Strauss Orchestra.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
There too, </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I experience that same familiar bond.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Music
does so much for people.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You
should know how many couples I have seen fall in love again over the years during
our concerts.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">People who love
music ultimately love each other too. That is the message we are bringing,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wherever we are in the world.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Where
music sounds, you are at home.</span></span></span></p><p class="yiv4084733726MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="en-us"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">AMagazine van Adam’s Music Center: </span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Author: Ludo Diels:</span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Photos: Hugo Thomassen: </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Styling/hair/make-up: AgAtelie</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: trebuchet;">r</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Thanks to Ineke for the article and her and John's
combined translation</span></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-54742797117716175002021-09-16T01:21:00.002-07:002021-09-16T01:21:30.871-07:00Rieu Aims For Ten Full Concerts at the MECC For Christmas<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 36pt; text-align: center;">Rieu Aims For Ten Full</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 36pt; text-align: center;"> Concerts
at The MECC</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 36pt; text-align: center;"> For Christmas</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCA2AjulGwkAHf-yvOeS45xlXRPEYtcn9QTZlnPZj78_Hkbgc4Vidv_Y_gBbQdJtCUG-1LQcXB-On9_p38rxwd-e266WO5fD50qqZpsWtsbC3Lp3EJuRSiWaxGvNJw5qGy6q-1U_FUcJGH/s900/CHRISNAS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 36pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="900" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCA2AjulGwkAHf-yvOeS45xlXRPEYtcn9QTZlnPZj78_Hkbgc4Vidv_Y_gBbQdJtCUG-1LQcXB-On9_p38rxwd-e266WO5fD50qqZpsWtsbC3Lp3EJuRSiWaxGvNJw5qGy6q-1U_FUcJGH/w640-h356/CHRISNAS.JPG" width="640" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 26.6667px;"><b>1limburg, by Jo Cortenraedt:</b> </span><span style="color: #20124d;">André Rieu is relieved that now it is allowed to
play in front of full venues again, provided that there are allocated places. In
December he hopes to welcome 120,000 visitors to ten Christmas concerts in the
MECC.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">He celebrated the news about the relaxations of
restrictions on Wednesday morning with champagne for the entire orchestra in
his Maastricht studio.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Lost Millions</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"This means that the Christmas concerts in
December in MECC Maastricht can continue with a hundred percent occupancy of
12,000 people per evening," says the orchestra leader. "We have an
option on a maximum of ten evenings. We haven't been able to play for a year
and a half now, that has cost me millions. But I'm happy that we can do it
again and everything will be fine again."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Evidence</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Rieu has no problem with the fact that all
concertgoers must show a vaccination or test certificate. "I understand
that we don't always want to live like that, but this is the only way, for the
time being <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to get back on track. The
fact that almost all corona patients in the hospitals have not been vaccinated
says it all."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Abroad</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The Maastricht stand-alone violinist not only
expects many visitors from the Netherlands, but also from Belgium, Germany,
France and England. He hopes to be able to perform in Vienna with his orchestra
before December, where concerts are scheduled for the end of October. "For
now, that looks good. Israel was also still on the program, but then you have
to quarantine with the whole group when you return. That's going to be
difficult."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Thanks to John for the translation</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-86148904263199299202021-08-23T13:12:00.001-07:002021-08-23T13:12:45.439-07:00André Rieu: 'Four people wanted to save my Stradivarius!'<p><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">World star
has his back against the wall, but ...</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">André Rieu:
'Four people wanted to save my Stradivarius!'<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">Telegraaf,
21 August 2021. By Harrie Nijen Twilhaar: </span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20pt;">André Rieu has not had any sleepless nights yet, but
even his beloved Vrijthof remained, again, dead quiet this summer. "I'm
getting extremely nervous about how it will now proceed," he told Privé
(part of "de Telegraaf") today. "This is unsustainable."
But his great pride, his Stradivarius, which he considered selling, is safe...</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZAjW_DLES8kCu4wOfp62IUF2yEehyES2jwkLmwtysrEP9Y3imSz7spzuAVp06-2EhtaFxOXjWHf7mJlNMwfsM6dNgQaPU2F2UyQh6c6xyTN4QLMDqr5itSsK5x1ye_q8g3jBU88BptT9/s618/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZAjW_DLES8kCu4wOfp62IUF2yEehyES2jwkLmwtysrEP9Y3imSz7spzuAVp06-2EhtaFxOXjWHf7mJlNMwfsM6dNgQaPU2F2UyQh6c6xyTN4QLMDqr5itSsK5x1ye_q8g3jBU88BptT9/s16000/11.JPG" /></a></span></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">World
star André Rieu can't wait to go back on stage with his orchestra. </span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">"We
want so badly to perform again, but the situation is very uncertain."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">André Rieu (71) has never concealed his great
concerns over the past year and a half. Together with a number of successful DJs,
he is the only Dutch world star, where the entire machinery which has been
built up around him in recent years has been at a standstill for a long time.
And for him too, with various corona measures worldwide, the end is not yet in
sight.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">At home in his Maastricht castle on the
Sint-Pietersberg, the king of the waltz tells us that as long as testing has to
be done, he will not board a plane or enter a stage with his orchestra.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">In place of performing on the Vrijthof, the maestro
was 'forced' to stay in his studio to produce a new album and a special 'for
cinemas only' program called "Together Again" – which will only be
shown in numerous cinemas on 28 and 29 August only.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"In order to be able to do something for our
fans, we have put together a compilation of the most beautiful performances –
from Sydney to Mexico City and from Istanbul to New York," says André.
"My orchestra and I want to perform so badly again, but the situation is
very uncertain. Fortunately, vaccinations give more and more freedom, but as
long as international lockdowns or other protective measures are in force, we
cannot go in anywhere."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">It's been over a
year and a half since you last performed.</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"Due to the advancing corona pandemic, we had
to return home at the end of February last year. And that was it. Never
imagined it would take so long! Hundreds of thousands of fans have bought
tickets. Those dates have all been changed. I estimate that it entails as many
as 140 concerts at home as well as abroad. In addition, we also have to make up
for our concerts in Chile in 2019. In October of that year, all hell broke
loose there because of political uprisings. Everyone feels like things are
going in the right direction, but for us, as an orchestra, that uncertainty is
murderous. Tomorrow may be different. That makes me extremely nervous.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIa92y_QFbx6xcvrI8Lh2nYGT1Rb5TGOx14kQ4yNropPf62QfJqL2-6y_Y8c9nSaipxlL3zHFhyphenhyphenp1q1mSwifR4DOrUoZCRt1DdG9BMokfeVxVWBRcLXSxQwS7dnoaJux-E5FgwgcvL4A7/s611/22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="611" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIa92y_QFbx6xcvrI8Lh2nYGT1Rb5TGOx14kQ4yNropPf62QfJqL2-6y_Y8c9nSaipxlL3zHFhyphenhyphenp1q1mSwifR4DOrUoZCRt1DdG9BMokfeVxVWBRcLXSxQwS7dnoaJux-E5FgwgcvL4A7/s16000/22.JPG" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Is that
uncertainty debilitating?</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"Absolutely. As long as there still is a hassle
around testing and the requirements which are set abroad, and for the time
being, I'm not going to travel with the orchestra That's just not possible.
Then you create a lot of misery all about yourself. This means that we are
reluctant to plan. We cannot, especially now, spend millions of Euros on
airline tickets, hotel costs, insurance, while we do not know whether concerts
will take place. With a lockdown, you know where you stand, while the
circumstances are completely uncertain now. In the Netherlands, the policy almost
changes weekly. You can't rely on that."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You are critical
when it comes to testing</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"That has to stop sometime. We will always find
a virus when you test. I can only continue when all the misery is behind us.
That's why, for the time being, I will not get on a plane or stage. First, it
has to be over and done with all the hassles around it. My fans are letting me
know that they are patient, even if it takes another five years. They continue
to stay loyal to me."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">How long can you
keep this up financially?</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"The bank and I have been together to speak
about this situation. They also know that I am dependent on whether or not
concerts will take place, in the near future. They immediately expressed full
confidence in me. The bank determined that I have a super healthy company and
let me know that they are willing to help me. In addition, we still receive
government assitance, but that is by far not enough. They only pay eighty
percent of the salaries and a little for fixed costs. No matter how you turn
it, it continues to cost a lot of money."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Did you ever think
of throwing in the towel?</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"No! Never! I once said that I would sell my
Stradivarius. When I announced that, immediately there were four rich people in
the Netherlands who, independently of each other, told me that that was not
going to happen. Mentally together with my wife Marjorie and sons Pierre and
Marc we can handle it. Together we have made this family business big and we are
not going to let it be taken away by a pandemic."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Your fighting
spirit is boundless.</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"I have a huge fighting spirit to keep going
and I will not let myself get defeated. Even if it takes another five years!
We're going to continue. Despite the fact that the situation is still so
uncertain. Then I think: "Come on guys, dear government, there finally
must come a point where we can agree on and that we can move on. It will be of
no use to us if Prime Minister Rutte or some foreign government tonight shouts:
'Tomorrow you can do everything again." We have to prepare our concerts
months in advance.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85_SEqOOlzdarc7z1YhZfN1-I4cQ0wCHGYNhYMQBjt0IFpkzVcPLChudhRL1AlGOYdQWHsuoj6gvXvboT18QRBAu_d9N06WaM-6RBqIWbAmIioN753rrrU40D-wo2oRjTKhRO8DlfFC3i/s588/33.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85_SEqOOlzdarc7z1YhZfN1-I4cQ0wCHGYNhYMQBjt0IFpkzVcPLChudhRL1AlGOYdQWHsuoj6gvXvboT18QRBAu_d9N06WaM-6RBqIWbAmIioN753rrrU40D-wo2oRjTKhRO8DlfFC3i/s16000/33.JPG" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Together with my wife
Marjorie and sons Pierre (photo) and Marc I made this family business big. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">We
will not let this be taken away from us by a pandemic."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Starting October
you would want to start your World Tour.</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"It depends on the situation. Concerts are
planned in Tel Aviv, Santiago, Vienna, Bratislava and Lisbon."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">And that's is
all about hundreds of thousands of tickets?</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"Roughly about 700,000 tickets, to be exact. We
did receive that money, but we cannot give a concert in return. Everyone has to
be patient until we can perform again. I still need to play for those financial
reserves! In addition, a large part of the receipts (the entrance fees
received, ed.) is tied up in local banks abroad."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Do your
musicians still have faith in the future?</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"They have one hundred percent confidence in me
that everything will turn out to be okay. Most of them have been with me for
over thirty years. They are top musicians and they really don't – should I go
bankrupt – run out of funds. But I have already placed that doomsday scenario
aside, because I am certain that the situation will one day return to
normal."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You look for
alternatives, with those cinema concerts</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"In July we primarily filmed on the
Sint-Pietersberg, to show that we are getting back together again as a Johann
Strauss Orchestra for the first time. Before the film, a compilation of
performances, is shown in cinemas, the viewers are presented an interview with
my son Pierre. Incidentally, those cinema concerts do, of course, yield
something, but it is a pittance if you compare that with the actual merits if
there had not been a pandemic. Still, we want to do something for our loyal
fans, which I miss terribly."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Are the summer
concerts on the Vrijthof in 2022 feasible?</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"Of course I hope to be playing there again.
But we can't plan anything right now. Around January, we should know if 2022 is
feasible. Hopefully we can also give Christmas concerts in the renewed MECC in
Maastricht in December, just like two years ago. But for that too, time is
running out for that too!"<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Thanks to Ineke for this article and John's
translation.</span></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-84046191292337182952021-08-20T23:03:00.000-07:002021-08-20T23:03:08.452-07:00André Rieu Continues To Count On Support Packages<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: verdana;">André Rieu Continues To Count On Support Packages</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4C0I0IxuYHnxklTofaRj4Vmv_NLCJbb9J0Wd-1jG_MgaEd6x-ZcgOaiWNVVXu9ICJGCo39JOKysvMoU6m5fa4J_xalqA06CbQeSmqfag3F3O4SMxvENzVIwJjhE-TD7xLeUE2yqbnzoMm/s650/256509636.jpg.gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="650" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4C0I0IxuYHnxklTofaRj4Vmv_NLCJbb9J0Wd-1jG_MgaEd6x-ZcgOaiWNVVXu9ICJGCo39JOKysvMoU6m5fa4J_xalqA06CbQeSmqfag3F3O4SMxvENzVIwJjhE-TD7xLeUE2yqbnzoMm/s320/256509636.jpg.gallery.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></span></div><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>de Limburger, Editorial Staff: <span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 20pt;">André Rieu hopes that the government will not
suddenly stop with the corona support packages. If the financial support happens
to disappear, the curtain will definitely fall on his orchestra, the
world-famous violinist fears.</span></b></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The 71-year-old Rieu is receiving support because
there has not been any turnover since March last year. With that, he pays the
salaries of his orchestra members and "some fixed costs", Rieu told the
RTL 4 talk show Humberto on Tuesday. Whether he will make it is still the
question. "It's going to be difficult, too. I believe that in October the
aid officially ends. If they still say: "You still can't perform"...
yes, that would be a bit unfair. Plus, then all that money is thrown
away."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Rieu tries to keep up the courage. "One day
it's all going to be fine again," he says. "How do I keep my good
mood? Because of the music and my attitude. I don't play a role on stage. I'm
really like that. That helps."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Thanks to John for this article and his
translation</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-43037097769398724692021-08-20T22:17:00.004-07:002021-08-20T22:20:22.782-07:00The Story Behind The Hit: "The Second Waltz"<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: verdana;">The Story Behind The Hit: </span></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: verdana;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;">"</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;">The Second Waltz"</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">illustration Katinka Hanselman, photo Mitchel
Giebels</span><span face=""Source Sans Pro Semibold", sans-serif" style="font-size: 20pt; text-align: center;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Source Sans Pro Semibold","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbtYgQw-8_le2XOL8vbN7NKgEI6-h7B1Hu4V2nUXWtWCYz-GQd4ifSO2QTmwGrIZbYbiQlfdLTfxWq-04DktPwoltUJ2VQKn2fr_5G-w7cWc4ux5bRp8jSJl0wxNEbNaOPHdhMVufjaxP/s639/2.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="545" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbtYgQw-8_le2XOL8vbN7NKgEI6-h7B1Hu4V2nUXWtWCYz-GQd4ifSO2QTmwGrIZbYbiQlfdLTfxWq-04DktPwoltUJ2VQKn2fr_5G-w7cWc4ux5bRp8jSJl0wxNEbNaOPHdhMVufjaxP/s320/2.JPG" width="273" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #20124d;">Golden
grip: performance during Champions League match</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The Limburger by Rob Cobben: They achieved high ratings in the charts, are a
fixed value in the Top 2000 or Limbo Top 100, or are etched in the collective
memory. In this section we tell the story behind the success numbers of Limburg
soil. Today: "The Second Waltz" by André Rieu.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Sometimes one song can
change your whole life. Take <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Second
Waltz</b>, composed by the Russian Dmitri Shostakovitch (1906-1975). André Rieu
adapts it in 1994 with his Johann Strauss Orchestra and scores a world hit with
it. Suddenly everyone knows who the violinist and orchestra leader from
Maastricht is. The album <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Strauss &
Co</b>, on which <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Second Waltz</b>
gets a place, has sold almost a million copies in a year." Just as much as
Michael Jackson's Thriller", says Rieu not without pride in the guest room
of his castle in the Maastricht district of Sint Pieter. "But it took him
two years to do that..." Rieu already knew in the nineties that he has
gold in his hands with his popular renditions of classical music, he says. But
he initially fails to enthuse record companies. "Very frustrating. We went
door to door in Hilversum. But they wouldn't put a label on us. We were not
producing pop and we were not making classical music either. They just didn't
know what to do with us."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial Black","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Marjorie and
I went every day to V&D (Huge department store chain) to see if there were
still CDs left on the shelves. That was usually not the case: all sold out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">In 1994 he manages to
convince the gentlemen of Decca (part of the record group Universal) and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was allowed to record the album <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Strauss & Co</b> with his orchestra.
The CD is almost finished when the Maastricht native walks through the
corridors of the studio complex in Hilversum and catches fragments of a song
from a room that immediately appeals to him. It turns out to be <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Waltz No. 2</b> of the Suite for Variety
Orchestra, written by Shostakovitch. The composition is a modest hit in France,
because there it has been used in an advertisement for an insurance company.
Universal is trying to roll out that success in other countries as well.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Champions
League<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rieu immediately adds: "I could use one more song for
the CD," he explains. His wife Marjorie didn't like it at first, says
Rieu, but he immediately saw the potential of the song: "It was nice to
the ear, had a beautiful melody line with that accordion."</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">Because the original name of the song was not comfortable to
the ear, Rieu's wife comes up with the title of <b>The Second Waltz</b>. A few months later – on April 19, 1995 – the
semi-finals of the Champions League is being played in the Olympic Stadium in
Amsterdam. Ajax (soccer team)will host Bayern Munich. Universal buys airtime to
promote the CD of the Maastricht stand-alone violinist during intermission of
the match. There are two scenarios: if Ajax is trailing after the first half, a
commercial is shown over the CD. But if the Sons of the Gods are in front and
the ambiance is good, the violinist will play <b>The Second Waltz</b> live. The latter happens. Ajax goes into the
dressing rooms with a comfortable 3-1 lead and Rieu and his violin can take a
spot in the middle of the arena. "I had never been to a soccer stadium
before," he recalls. "When I was playing in the </span><span style="background: white; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">subterranean passageways</span><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">, Ajax scored a goal. It was as if the whole tent collapsed.
Creepy though..."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Rocket<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Millions of Dutch and Germans, who are glued to the tube,
see a little later how the violinist performs <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Second Waltz</b> in the sold-out soccer stadium. In the days
following the TV appearances, sales of the album <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Strauss & Co</b> and the single explode. "Marjorie and I went
to the V&D every day to see if there were any CDs left on the shelves. That
was usually not the case: all sold out. At Universal, they didn't know what was
happening. They had anticipated that we would sell about five thousand CDs, but
by Christmas it was already a quarter of a million..." Rieu's career
skyrockets like a rocket and he's in demand for TV shows. For example, he is
allowed to perform during a benefit show one evening for the victims of the
floods of the Meuse and other rivers.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
top brass of the Dutch showbiz participates in the by Joop van den Ende organized
TV happening. "When we came in, we were ignored by all those colleagues.
But you should have seen those looks when Van den Ende asked us to play <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Second Waltz</b> not once, but
twice...." Rieu has now been running a large company with 120 people for a
quarter of a century and has sold more than 42 million CDs and DVDs. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Second Waltz</b> is no longer a regular
part of his shows, because "you can't play the same songs every time."
But on special occasions he still plays it. Like in 2019, during the one hundredth
concert on the Vrijthof. The magic is far from finished, as it turns out to be on
that night. There is swaying <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and humming
along. There is no end to the applause afterwards...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">FACTS</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">'Waltz No. 2'</span></b><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"> is part of the so-called 'Suite for Variety Orchestra', a
collection of short works which Shostakovich wrote before 1956.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">On December 1, 1988, the play was performed in London. That
was the first time it could be heard in a Western country.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">'The Second
Waltz'</span></b><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"> by André Rieu and his
Johann Strauss Orchestra was in the Mega Top 50 for thirty consecutive weeks.
No one had achieved that feat until 1994.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">But still, that didn't become a record. Marco Borsato made
it to 34 weeks with his hit 'Dreams are cheats'.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;">The album </span><b style="font-size: 20pt;">'Strauss
& Co'</b><span style="font-size: 20pt;"> was on the Album's Top 100 for a year, of which 19 weeks in first
place. It became the best-selling CD of 1995.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">'The Second
Waltz'</span></b><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"> was in the Top 2000
from 2001 to 2014. The song reached the highest spot in 2007: 615.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">André Rieu plays a Stradivarius dated from 1732.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">He won the Export Prize of Conamus/Buma seven times.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Thanks John for the
translation of this article.</span></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-52144971828512930552021-08-20T21:54:00.000-07:002021-08-20T21:54:09.026-07:00André Rieu Sells His Golden Carriage<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9orYGhzDzjwJcRwRjiiI0gJZMB5cmOeQk3Z9iSXaIjhhuFXo5HoANESAcHdQ8wd_W04X6WEcPtsi33seFjOlPNCYCLIeRJXVo2tyS_s4p4Vrq3Efug3WUvPzn3zX2eMRpJqmmDgSsqGe/s678/koets5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="678" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9orYGhzDzjwJcRwRjiiI0gJZMB5cmOeQk3Z9iSXaIjhhuFXo5HoANESAcHdQ8wd_W04X6WEcPtsi33seFjOlPNCYCLIeRJXVo2tyS_s4p4Vrq3Efug3WUvPzn3zX2eMRpJqmmDgSsqGe/w640-h430/koets5.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Ride for 100-year-old Marie in golden carriage which
her famous son bought from André Rieu</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Top
entrepreneur and multimillionaire Hennie van der Most bought the sets with
which violinist André Rieu with the Johann Strauss Orchestra traveled the world
for years for his concerts. The set pieces depict the famous Viennese
Schönbrunn Castle.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">By Benny Koerhuis, de Stentor<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;">André Rieu was able to build two identical castles, but
possession of those was a huge financial drain. Van der Most relieved him of
that heavy burden and wants to embellish Wunderland Kalkar with both sets. This
afternoon he had Rieu's golden carriage already unpacked for his 100-year-old
mother.</span><span style="font-size: 20pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"You can use them to build two castles of 40 meters
high and 135 meters wide," says Van der Most, who was born in Slagharen.
"It's about two complete sets. For example, when André is performing on one
set in Australia, the other was being built up in another metropolis at the
same time. Together, those two sets fill up about a hundred containers. Which
includes complete lighting installations, a kitchen and fitness room. I can very
well use that stuff in my companies.''</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Like an anchor</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">André Rieu - like so many artists - has a hard time keeping
his head above water financially, now that performing as a result of the corona
pandemic is not or hardly possible. About ten years ago, the Maastricht
violinist and orchestra leader was already in trouble by reconstructing
Schönbrunn Castle full size as a travelling backdrop. "We had 250 people
on the podium, but also 250 to build up that castle every time. There was no
money being gained from that. I ended up with a debt of 30 million Euros''' Rieu
said in an interview with this newspaper in August last year. Next autumn he
hopes to start on a new world tour.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">To build near a
nuclear power plant</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"André is willing to lease his sets, light installation
and similar items in the future," van der Most knows to say. "No, not
for me." Because the 71-year-old entrepreneur already has a beautiful
destination for the imposing-looking but 'flat' castles. "I want to use
both sets for Wunderland Kalkar, so that a few ugly facades of that former
nuclear power plant are hidden from view. We have already applied for a permit
from the municipality.''<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The controversial nuclear power plant, which never went into
operation, was bought in 1995 for 2.5 million Euros by Van der Most who started
the amusement park "Kernwasser Wunderland" with it, which since 2005
is now known as Wunderland Kalkar.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Golden carriage</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Before everything is built at the German amusement park, Van
der Most brought out the large 'golden carriage' belonging to the décor for his
mother's 100th birthday. She took a trip through Slagharen and Schuinesloot,
waved to many acquaintances and tourists, and enjoyed the royal ride.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Manager Pierre Rieu, son of the orchestra leader, confirms
that Van der Most has bought the colossal sets. "Two months ago, the sale
was concluded. For how much I'm not going to say. But how nice that Hennie's
mother has driven around in the carriage. During a concert years ago at the
Vrijthof, Jan Smit(Dutch entertainer) rode in that carriage between the
audience to the stage."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Thanks to Ineke for this article and John's translation</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-23421092490704715772021-08-13T13:32:00.000-07:002021-08-13T13:32:30.124-07:00 André Rieu and Rowwen Hèze Together At Fundraiser<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #20124d;"> <span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;">André Rieu and Rowwen Hèze together at fundraiser
Omroep MAX for Limburg</span></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">De Limburger and ANP</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8ukhOYdX5Pfo-1tXelJ8eOhYuersYXwTjo_LCghBuMh2cuvi-Qfah3NNMVgA64sI_qJFOTu8njvlchxdh0p74XJl9aJEBkco0qPuwD1H-RlrSbQA5gbP6ypVs6adbpIugEgHq36ykbnv/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="628" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8ukhOYdX5Pfo-1tXelJ8eOhYuersYXwTjo_LCghBuMh2cuvi-Qfah3NNMVgA64sI_qJFOTu8njvlchxdh0p74XJl9aJEBkco0qPuwD1H-RlrSbQA5gbP6ypVs6adbpIugEgHq36ykbnv/w640-h428/image.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-no-proof: yes;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">André Rieu
was recently in Valkenburg to support the affected residents. Photo: Hollandse
Hoogte / ANP</span></span></div></span><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="color: #20124d;">André Rieu and Rowwen Hèze are participating in the
fundraiser which Omroep MAX will presents on Wednesday 18 August for the
victims of the flooding in Limburg.</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="color: #20124d;">On 18 August, moneys will be raised during
three special live broadcasts, presented by Dionne Stax and Jan Slagter. In the
evening, Op1 will also bring attention to the action.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">According to Slagter, many Limburgers are
still "pulling their hair out" and in urgent need of help. "MAX
is happy to do its part, in the form of this national fundraiser. I call on
everyone, including businesses, to donate on Wednesday, August 18th. If
possible, of course. It can be a large or small amount. Does not matter. After
all, every little bit helps," he says.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Huub Stapel</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The broadcasts will be aired from the
Theodoor Dorrenplein in Valkenburg, which was badly affected by the floods. Besides
local residents, well-known Limburgers such as André Rieu and Rowwen Hèze will
also be present. There will also be appearances by Huub Stapel, Lilianne
Ploumen and André van Duin.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="color: #20124d;">At the end of last month, the amount for
the Giro 777 fundraiser for Limburg stood at 10 million euros. In total 190,000
contributers transferred money. The National Disaster Fund started the action
on 16 July after heavy rains and high tides caused major problems in Limburg.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Thanks John and Ineke for the article and John's Translation</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-3292583387411348902021-08-10T10:54:00.000-07:002021-08-10T10:54:37.224-07:00 City Carillonneur Viral After Metal Band Shares Video:<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"> <b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 36.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">City Carillonneur Viral After</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 36.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;"> Metal Band Shares Video:</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 36.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;"> 'Outside My Comfort Zone'</span></b></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXHGn5UiMJyNa-rnI00B5eOvwd1HCq8mFF0kgsIFJA74LOWpC-Ze_iKHSRB8-dgvjJAdrsE4KjuBm-8DQj01IMt76fIHx9BcGIlpxufjWsjMNRrGFMr1sr59gsBX04wNHSMzEISxTonXx/s797/post+post+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="797" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXHGn5UiMJyNa-rnI00B5eOvwd1HCq8mFF0kgsIFJA74LOWpC-Ze_iKHSRB8-dgvjJAdrsE4KjuBm-8DQj01IMt76fIHx9BcGIlpxufjWsjMNRrGFMr1sr59gsBX04wNHSMzEISxTonXx/w640-h358/post+post+post.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">August 7, 2021 - </span>It's not really the kind of music you expect to hear
coming from a church.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Yet,
recently there was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>real heavy metal
music coming from the church tower in the city of Weert.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">City
carillonneur Frank Steijns and guitarist Jitse Zonneveld showed off a fine
piece of metal with the song 'Ace of Spades' by Motörhead.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
performance was picked up by the British band themselves, who shared it on
YouTube yesterday.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">During the Torenfestival (Tower Festival) Weert,
people could enjoy live music at a distance of 70 meters, where Steijns played
all kinds of music together with guest musicians for a month long all this
summer.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"This was the first and
only music festival which could take place corona-proof. The city was our
concert hall and we were tens of meters up high," he tells EditieNL. (TV
program).</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><b><u><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Hardly any preparation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Guitarist Zonneveld is a big fan of Motörhead and
had submitted this request to Steijns.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"I didn't know it at all. But if you wake Jitse
at three in the morning, he can play it for you right away."</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">One
thing led to another and in no time he received the notes in his mailbox. The
carillonneur had hardly any time to prepare.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"We
couldn't really rehearse, because then the whole city would hear it
already," he explains.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
two went upstairs about an hour in advance and briefly practiced on a fake
carillon.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"The first performance
had to be flawless right away.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><b><u><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Comments. <o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Then the supreme moment finally there: "I was
afraid I was going to be arrested, it sounded so loud all over the city. But
everyone looked up with mouths open. That was really cool."</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">After
the performance, they shared a video on Face book.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Soon
a hundred thousand people had watched it.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">" Jitse called me right away. He went
completely crazy, because the band had shared our video on YouTube and other
social media channels."</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Motörhead
wrote: 'We really like this.'</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Soon reactions came in from all over the world.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The Village People - known for the song YMCA - also
shared the video.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><b><u><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Next edition? <o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The city carillonneur has been playing the carillon
for 25 years and is also part of the André Rieu orchestra.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He
is trying to bring the music and the instrument closer to the people.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Steijns
has already performed with Blof and covered many songs.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"But
I've never gone this far outside my comfort zone." <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Will there be a new edition?</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Probably.</span></span><span class="viiyi"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"There
is a huge demand for it."</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="jlqj4b"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Thanks Ineke for the article and her and John's
combined translation</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-39154493713121727742021-07-15T22:41:00.001-07:002021-07-15T22:41:57.581-07:00André Rieu: "I cry for Limburg"<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #073763;"> </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 22pt; text-align: center;">Accidental luck for the Maastricht waltz king?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 22pt; text-align: center;"><br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 48.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><span style="color: #351c75;">André Rieu:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 48.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 26.0pt;"><span style="color: #351c75;">"I cry for Limburg"</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: trebuchet;"><b>De
Telegraaf, by Harrie Nijen twilhaar</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: trebuchet;">Perhaps it is luck by accident
for André Rieu, who also had to cancel his annual concerts at the Maastricht
Vrijthof this summer because of the corona pandemic. Because if the series of
performances had gone ahead, the "King of the Waltz" would not been
able to keep it dry due to the amount of rain water. "It is truly
unprecedented what is now happening in 'my' Limburg."</span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKRZHp9GO0a3XSXvuj-xyFoL4DkPFPPo0yBgTdZ_zjscvioysvHZky3FjU-kHCfXKbWCf-kXNGKZo21zxDRB25sVBr-zWgWrKWjHdb8NQizkl7GtWg31_Huq4r2JNbnOT3USYunmdflUa/s601/AFF.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="601" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKRZHp9GO0a3XSXvuj-xyFoL4DkPFPPo0yBgTdZ_zjscvioysvHZky3FjU-kHCfXKbWCf-kXNGKZo21zxDRB25sVBr-zWgWrKWjHdb8NQizkl7GtWg31_Huq4r2JNbnOT3USYunmdflUa/w640-h356/AFF.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 18pt;">André Rieu on his beloved
Vrijthof: "This rain chaos touches my heart"</span><span style="font-size: 22pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">For André Rieu (71) it is also
almost uncomprehensable for the record amount of rain that has fallen in South
Limburg in recent days. In 'his Maastricht' even 87.2 millimeters (3.43inches)
of rain fell from the sky. Never before has so much rain fallen oin this
burgundy city in one day!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">For the maestro, who is not in
Limburg at this time, it is a strange sensation that for the second year in a
row he cannot receive thousands of fans during his summer concerts.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">Basically if there had not been
a pandemic, André would normally have performed with his Johann Strauss
Orchestra yesterday and tonight on a packed Vrijthof.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">The famous Maastricht square, which
lies adjacent to the St. Servaas basilica, has been transformed into a large
lake due to the amount of fallen rain. The adjacent catering establishments
also have to deal with flooded cellars.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">Shocked
by the situation?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">"I saw it yesterday
morning, the Vrijthof, completely flooded. Unbelievable! If we had been allowed
to play, the sun would definitely have shone and it would have been dry! That's
how I think."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">How
do you mean?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">"In the fifteen years that
we have played on the Vrijthof every summer, we only had to deal with rain two
nights. Normally it is wonderfully warm and the thousands of fans enjoy our
music. In total, we have given one hundred summer concerts in Maastricht!''</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">"Now you see what happens
when we don't play. Then there's trouble right away. In short, let us play from
now on and then there will be no raindrop in the air."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">It
is a catastrophe for the Limburgers</span></b><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">Absolutely. It's very dramatic.
I wanted to point out that the weather around mid-July is always beautiful when
we play. Unfortunately, the situation is totally different now and an unprecedented
amount of rain has fallen. It is horrendous to see that many Limburger houses<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>have flooded and roads have become impassable.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">Do
you remember 1995 when things went wrong then too...<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">"This for me is the second
time that such floods have happened. I remember in 1995 we had to deal with a
huge amount of flooding too. That was already 25 years ago. That's when
residents in Limburg and in the river area near Tiel (City north of Limburg in
Gelderland) were being evacuated due to the flooding of the Maas and the Waal. Not
much remained of the campground near my house. The rising Maaswater created an
enormous chaos. Caravans (camping trailers) drifted away due to the
current."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">Are
there related problems with your 16th-century castle-like house?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">No, we are high up on the east
side of the Sint-Pietersberg. The excess rainwater from there flows down.
Hopefully my wife Marjorie and I will keep our feet dry."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">You
are still being bothered by the flooding!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;">"That's right. I and my
orchestra are now in the studio recording a new album. A number of musicians
who live in the vicinity of Valkenburg and Kerkrade cannot come to the studio
due to the water chaos. I hope that, for all Limburgers, this will soon be over
and there will be as little damage as possible."</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="NL"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Thanks to Ineke for this article
and John's translation.</span></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-33533793227728403142021-06-12T10:12:00.001-07:002021-06-12T10:12:23.078-07:00 Rieu To Start Touring Again In Autumn!<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #20124d;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;">Rieu</span></b><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> To Start Touring Again In Autumn. First Dutch Show To Be In December!</span></b></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUvzKJiiX7w5HAANoQ8W1xnUCALmt-JptWCZZ6hPNeZX1br1Q_kXsQ83dtmyyng2RSlUUlV3FRmaR-ews4nk4xeD3njAM33MIHeNPloR65o0efjXoSZkQMXAE0b6DNsrENfhX3LOr8Tu2/s621/POST+LATEST.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="621" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUvzKJiiX7w5HAANoQ8W1xnUCALmt-JptWCZZ6hPNeZX1br1Q_kXsQ83dtmyyng2RSlUUlV3FRmaR-ews4nk4xeD3njAM33MIHeNPloR65o0efjXoSZkQMXAE0b6DNsrENfhX3LOr8Tu2/s16000/POST+LATEST.JPG" /></a></div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Photo:
Hollandse Hoogte/ANP Kippa</span></div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The Limburger - André Rieu
will go on tour abroad again in the autumn. The 71-year-old Maastricht
violinist and orchestra leader is expected to play with his orchestra in
October and November amongst others in Chile, Uruguay, Israel, Austria and
Germany.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He announced that on Instagram on Friday</span></b><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The first
performances in the Netherlands which Rieu will be given since the corona
lockdown are in Mid-December in Maastricht in the MECC and early January in the
Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam. At the moment, there are a handful of performances for
which ticket sales started on Friday. If there is a lot of enthusiasm, there
may be additional concerts, his manager informs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">When the
corona crisis broke out in March last year, the Limburg violinist was busy with
his long-awaited American tour, which he had to cancel prematurely. Rieu will
catch up with these concerts in April 2022, followed by a large series of
performances among others in the United Kingdom and Ireland.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Thanks John
for the article and translation</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-1281327220357167192021-06-11T09:23:00.001-07:002021-06-11T09:23:06.522-07:00André Rieu Relaxes in The Orangery of His Castle<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 28pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #20124d;">This Is What I Love </span></span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 28pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #20124d;">André
Rieu Relaxes in The Orangery of His Castle</span></span></b></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorp_E0oOD2jP0bVE79Y05KG2csaW7eUdWROGFjcFpjqWc8AJ0xJF8WxlCeUzD6dFvAWO4stx_8DLFsydYceH2Qx0g1hms7wUjhBVDyQC-ZUKZPwoHl-cbVXshTX0R3bxKLFZox1Bk50JM/s576/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorp_E0oOD2jP0bVE79Y05KG2csaW7eUdWROGFjcFpjqWc8AJ0xJF8WxlCeUzD6dFvAWO4stx_8DLFsydYceH2Qx0g1hms7wUjhBVDyQC-ZUKZPwoHl-cbVXshTX0R3bxKLFZox1Bk50JM/s16000/1.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">Photo: Marcel van Hoorn</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">de Limburger by Rob Cobben, June 9, '21</span><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"> - </span></span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 20pt;">Every week a well-known Limburger tells
L-magazine what he or she loves. This week: André Rieu (71), who normally
travels the world with his Johann Strauss Orchestra. But the pandemic has kept
him at home for over a year.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Waffle
stand on the Vrijthof<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"Because I travel a lot – in normal times –
I like to cook when I'm at home; I cook for Marjorie, myself, the children and
friends. I don't have a favorite restaurant or café. But I can't resist the
temptation of the waffle stand that is on the Vrijthof during our
concerts."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Favorite
store: none<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"I do not have a favorite store either. I'm
someone who sees something nice and buys it, impulsively. That could be in
Maastricht, or somewhere abroad. When I see a nice cardigan for Marjorie
hanging in a shop window in Vienna, I buy it. The size is always right. And I
know her taste."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">My
place: Orangery in the garden of our castle<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">This is what I love: André Rieu relaxes in the
orangery of his castle.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPiwxESzZjBYWZ2vPK2rajHsHePvtstBurZ20ZCb0_k9pFzhHaWyNq0bk8upb_7ADECDE7uV5DL24pA7_nRNctc0JpGvxHFJ2617ccQv-DTLPLNN0pROxOXbLmL0PTY1w3pnkUU1rTf8l/s620/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPiwxESzZjBYWZ2vPK2rajHsHePvtstBurZ20ZCb0_k9pFzhHaWyNq0bk8upb_7ADECDE7uV5DL24pA7_nRNctc0JpGvxHFJ2617ccQv-DTLPLNN0pROxOXbLmL0PTY1w3pnkUU1rTf8l/s16000/2.JPG" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 20pt;">Photo: Marcel van Hoorn</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"Without a doubt: the orangery in the garden
of our castle in Maastricht. That conservatory is filled with exotic plants and
flowers. Butterflies and tropical birds fly around and koi-carp swim in the
pond. It's the perfect place for me to relax."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Romeo
and Juliet, a beautiful film<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"He's my idol. Franco Zeffirelli is a
fantastic opera, theatre and film director. Everything he does is done with an
incredible sense of beauty and romance and with a lot of attention to detail.
His productions are true works of art. My favorite movie is Romeo and Juliet,
also because of the beautiful music of course."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #20124d;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 22pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmE29lUdJE2iUtPRc6Q0obNy-Oq09XKJzEeHiXvcyR0JWsnyzDL5D-Iz5yjQWPt8x6h3TdQVs3vHm8_NgsVuA3Z7GBAhSRE_u1ZQ9py69W54Q_Z54LnJfsK6EJPhU3mkN63boHR3yWFXu/s370/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="278" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmE29lUdJE2iUtPRc6Q0obNy-Oq09XKJzEeHiXvcyR0JWsnyzDL5D-Iz5yjQWPt8x6h3TdQVs3vHm8_NgsVuA3Z7GBAhSRE_u1ZQ9py69W54Q_Z54LnJfsK6EJPhU3mkN63boHR3yWFXu/w150-h200/3.JPG" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Crazy
about riestevlaoj(Rice</span></b></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> vlaai/pastry)</span></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">"I love Mestreechse riestevlaoj . During the
pandemic I baked a cake almost every day for the entire street and for Pierre
and his family, who live next door to us."</span><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Comic
books to learn languages</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"As a child I loved to read the adventures
of Tintin. I even have all the comic book hero's books in Spanish and
Portuguese. During the corona pandemic I read them a lot. It's a way for me to
learn those languages. My son Pierre also gave me wooden statues of Tintin as a
birthday gift. Very nice!"</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoq6nPyJAxH8_-O82OEK6EWsEAM-ktsNip-lzGom0wJAB1uF63MgnfFQRYx9SuMrI5t4rWyKFq17DdoZQ28CEWAxR7_BBZySAu87TlAAEbQomIo9_7Mtjk-7P6E9M53sCg6Z1tDbyzQv8/s578/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoq6nPyJAxH8_-O82OEK6EWsEAM-ktsNip-lzGom0wJAB1uF63MgnfFQRYx9SuMrI5t4rWyKFq17DdoZQ28CEWAxR7_BBZySAu87TlAAEbQomIo9_7Mtjk-7P6E9M53sCg6Z1tDbyzQv8/s16000/4.JPG" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Appen
with the children and grandchildren<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"When we're on tour, I watch new videos and
photos of my children and grandchildren every day. That is fantastic. I think I
have about 500 phone numbers in the smart phone and 5,000 pictures and videos.
I send more than fifty messages a day via WhatsApp.''</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Thanks to Ineke for the article and John's
translation</span></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-29953413713195051262021-06-08T15:48:00.001-07:002021-06-08T15:48:51.587-07:00André Rieu Back in The Studio With Orchestra!<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bzYhJunb2ju4uOGOcM0JccknAJFqD-IhT2va7RlKlZr8oAqrRN3gTcJPaE-zSECGioOUHDnFLvggkZkYTIImhEALJ04EZB924Z_VdADOp4beTttLGN5C8bcHmTmTy4GDPkw2o7hNKCEA/s900/STUDIO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="900" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bzYhJunb2ju4uOGOcM0JccknAJFqD-IhT2va7RlKlZr8oAqrRN3gTcJPaE-zSECGioOUHDnFLvggkZkYTIImhEALJ04EZB924Z_VdADOp4beTttLGN5C8bcHmTmTy4GDPkw2o7hNKCEA/w640-h406/STUDIO.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>André Rieu Back in The Studio With Orchestra!</b></span></p><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;">The Limburger - For the first time in more than fifteen months André Rieu has reunited with the musicians of his Johann Strauss Orchestra. In the Rieu studio in Maastricht, rehearsals for a new CD started yesterday morning ( Jun 7, '20), which will be titled 'Happy Together'. Rehearsing together has not been possible since the beginning of 2020 due to the corona measures.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;">Thanks to John for the article and translation</span></div>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683592745518422511.post-3929265738338485832021-05-06T09:28:00.001-07:002021-05-06T09:29:54.658-07:00 Another slap in the face for waltz king André Rieu<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 22.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Another slap
in the face for waltz king André Rieu</span></span></b></p><p><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 22.0pt;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bbgffQoTmN_ZaiKA-OiDzxUBFWydMxNulWpfhkkyS4kgz11EQ9Msv7ZnT6Ns97SjHYtottlzI0zs32XYFV4E0wJwucEPC6Z6Xelm0hm664IssqLPRaB8PyyRK2ycnztYAjank3XZFfbN/s655/NEWEST.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="655" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bbgffQoTmN_ZaiKA-OiDzxUBFWydMxNulWpfhkkyS4kgz11EQ9Msv7ZnT6Ns97SjHYtottlzI0zs32XYFV4E0wJwucEPC6Z6Xelm0hm664IssqLPRaB8PyyRK2ycnztYAjank3XZFfbN/s16000/NEWEST.JPG" /></a></b></div><b><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Due to the corona pandemic, the annual summer concerts
at the Vrijthof in Maastricht will not take place again for the second
consecutive year. That's what the orchestra leader recently announced.</span></span></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">André Rieu
thinks the risks are still too great, especially since the traditional concert
series in his hometown also attracts<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a
large audience from abroad.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"Unfortunately,
we are not far enough along with the vaccinations worldwide for us to sing,
laugh and dance together in Maastricht in July, being carefree and happy",
says Rieu, who has since already been vaccinated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"That's
why we're moving the program to 2022. It is very unfortunate that the
traditional open air concerts with my Johann Strauss Orchestra are not to go
ahead."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Christmas concert<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In March,
Rieu reported that there was little chance that the Vrijthof concerts would go
on as planned this year, despite the global vaccination program.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The
Christmas concerts scheduled for December in the MECC Maastricht have not yet
been cancelled. The orchestra leader also hopes that the planned concerts in
Chile and Uruguay will take place in October and Israel in November. "In
that country we sold a thousand tickets in one day. Almost everyone has already
been vaccinated there."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Loss of millions<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The failure
to proceed with the Vrijthof concerts is another huge loss of many millions for
the orchestra leader. "Every summer, about 150,000 visitors from 90
countries make for a huge party at the Vrijthof. It is not possible with the
one and a half meters required distance because during the concerts there is
always plenty of singing and dancing. That is why, unfortunately, we have taken
the decision today to cancel the concerts. Safety is our highest
priority."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Not only is
it a huge loss for the world-famous orchestra, but also for the owners of
hotels in and around Maastricht who are also missing out on a lot of revenue
now that the summer concerts have been cancelled.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Government support<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Thanks to
the support of the government, Rieu has previously indicated that he can
survive the crisis. His company has 120 permanent employees, of which the
government takes over a large part of the costs. "We have worked hard in
recent weeks to re-schedule all concerts for 2022."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The new
dates will be posted on André Rieu's website. The first concert in a series of
fourteen performances is scheduled for 7 July 2022. Orders and travel
arrangements booked through André Rieu Travel will automatically remain valid
for 2022. Fans will be able to download the tickets with the new date starting
Friday via the original order confirmation..</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Happy Together<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Plans for
the summer are there already. There's going to be a new CD. And André also
wants to reveal the title: "<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Happy
together</b>". He hopes that thanks to the vaccinations, rehearsals are
allowed beginning June.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 20pt;">Thanks John
for this article and translation</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></o:p></span></p>Suzanne Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406120263207910654noreply@blogger.com3