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André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu was born in Maastricth,
Holland on October 1, 1949. At the age of just 5, not too
dissimilar to the tender age of Mozart, Andre began his
studies commencing with the violin. His observation of
music as a child was most certainly influenced by his father
(also named Andre) who was a musical conductor. From 1974
to 1977, Andre studied violin at the Conservative Royal in
Maastricht.
The music that filled the Rieu household was mostly
classical; symphonies, chamber works, and operas provided
the major fare. Andre trained as a singer and violinist and
was a member of the Limburg Symphony Orchestra for ten
years.
Some claim that Andre is responsible for the resurgence of
the ‘Waltz’ and in his University days is reported to have
performed impressive waltzes that audiences found refreshing
and appealing. Andre found himself captivated by the lilt
of the waltzes and decided he wanted to continue playing
this genre of music.
In 1987, the Johann Strauss Orchestra” was formed. Over the
years the Orchestra under the talented and solid leadership
of Andre has matured into an act parallel to the quality of
any symphony orchestra in the world. The Strauss Orchestra's
programs under the highly respected leadership of Andre
consist mainly of music by the Strausses and other composers
of light music and operetta.
Rieu and his “Johann Strauss Orchestra" have performed in
North America, Canada and Japan and in recent years, Andre
and his production company have spared no expense televising
concerts and making them available in DVD format.
They have won a number of awards in many countries around
the world, including 8-times Platinum in the Netherlands.
In September 2007, Andre Rieu performed in Australia for the
first time (solo, without his Orchestra) and a full concert
tour is scheduled for Australia in 2008. (see the concert
dates link)
His visually appealing and impeccably organised orchestral
presentations have attracted worldwide audiences to
classical music that may not initially have be drawn to that
genre. Andre’s adaptation of humour and surprise in his
performances are consistently rated as highly entertaining
and consistent with the themes of each performance.
Rieu has worked together with his brother, Jean Philippe,
for several years, but Jean Philippe has now commenced his
own music related business enterprise. One of Rieu’s two
sons , Pierre, now works with him full time as his
Production Manager.
André Rieu plays a 1667 Stradivarius violin. (see Andre’s
Violin link) Some of his orchestra's performances have been
broadcast in various countries such as the 2003 airing of
Andre Rieu Live in Dublin, filmed in Dublin, Ireland. In
2005’s ‘André Rieu Live in Tuscany’ was filmed in the Piazza
Della Republica in the village of Cortona, Tuscany, Italy.
The Cortona performance DVD is considered by many to be
Andre’s crown jewel of performances. For those lucky
tourists who found themselves in Cortona on that beautiful
2005 night, what a classical experience they had looking out
onto the Piazza.
Andre Rieu is mindful of the perceived barrier between the
orchestra and the audience and actively utilises strategies
to provide an engaging experience to involve the audience in
the music as much as possible.
One example of this was during the performance featured on
the New York Memories, live at Radio City Music Hall New
York where many couples were able to waltz freely during the
performance in the aisles and in front of the stage.
The musician attributes such success to his ability to
provide the romance of a bygone era, "the Vienna of the
nineteenth century, with its palatial ballrooms, their walls
fitted with resplendent mirrors and ornate chandeliers, the
swish of swirling skirts and a sense of romance in the air."
Andre truly is the inspirational driving force of the music.
He is a leader who radiates a charisma and kindness not seen
before. In the coming years the fame of Andre and his
orchestra is set to grow significantly as he brings a new
approach to the world of classical music.
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Carla
Maffioletti is one of the talented Sopranos who
perform with Andre in the Johann Strauss Orchestra |
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