Andre Rieu
Introducing, Andre Rieu, His Johann Strauss Orchestra and His Beautiful Sopranos
Andre Rieu was born on October 1, 1949, in a very old town, dating back to Roman times, called Maastricht, in the Netherlands. He was a very nimble child and started to study the violin when he was only five years old.
He continued his studies at the Conservatorium, in Maastricht and Liege’s Conservatoire Royal. He was fascinated by orchestras. For three years in the 70s he studied under luminaries, such as Andre Gertler, at the Brussels Music Academy. Whilst there he won the ‘Premier Prix’.
Later he created the ‘Maastricht Salon Orchestra’. The Limburg Symphony Orchestra was so impressed with young Rieu that they allowed him to appear as a solo violinist.
In 1987 one of his dreams came true and he formed the ‘Johann Strauss Orchestra’ with only twelve members. How it has grown! The orchestra now utilizes the first class talents of between forty and fifty musicians. Some have criticized his elaborate stage performances and sets. However the fact remains that he has done an enormous amount of good, not only to populurise waltz music, but, also classical music in general. He also puts on a wonderful and entertaining show and brings much pleasure and happiness, wherever he and his orchestra perform. Andre earned his, well deserved title of, ‘The King of Waltz’. Andre is a man with much charisma who enjoys playing his violin, but also enjoys light banter with his audience, who oft times, are made to feel part of his orchestral family.
He owns and plays, two historic Stradivarius violins. One dating from 1667. The other from 1732.
The Johann Strauss Orchestra, with Andre at the helm, have given acclaimed performances all over the globe, including Europe, the Americas, and as far away as Australia. He speaks, at least, seven languages, including Dutch, German, English, French, Italian and Spanish. His recordings and DVDs have also been received, with enthusiasm, by his world-wide family of faithful fans.
The Johann Strauss Orchestra has won many many. Gold and Platinum recordings and no less than two World Music Awards. In Holland, eight Platinum awards were also added to that growing list. He now has his own, very active, recording studios in Maastricht, where he produces, not only DVDs and CDs of his own performances, but records for movie sound tracks, theatre musicals and other forms of music, including classical, folk and popular. Andre worked with a brother, Jean Phillipe, for some years, until Jean struck out on his own and opened his own production company.
Pierre, the younger of Andre’s two sons, works with him, as his Production Manager, on a full time basis.
His wife, Marjorie has composed several pieces and these have been performed by the orchestra. One, particularly lovely piece ‘Please Don’t Go’, was sung by Suzan Erens, Carmen Monarcha and Carla Maffioletti to critical acclaim.
In 2007, Andre also chalked up another first. He toured Australia alone, without his orchestra. He was very well received and delighted audiences with his own interpretation of their unofficial Australian National Anthem, ‘Waltzing Matilda’. However, both Andre and the full Johann Strauss will be returning to the ‘Land Down Under’ late in 2008, in November and December, for a full tour. Much to the delight of his legion of admirers there.
PBS, Public Broadcasting Services have transmitted many of the live performances of Andre and his Johann Strauss Orchestra, both throughout the U.K. and North America. One particularly wonderful performance was from the Piazza Della Republica, Cortona, Tuscany. A tender and deeply touching performance of Puccini’s, ‘O Mio Babbino Caro’, sung by a beautiful, young soprano, Carmen Monarcha, from Brazil. People were moved to tears, both in the audience and watching at home. I know, because I was one of them. Carmen and the other two sopranos, Carla Maffioletti and Suzan Arens, delighted the audience with several other vocals at the concert. I recommend that this DVD be placed on your, ‘Must Have’, list. I guarantee you will never be be disappointed with it.
There is much more of this story to be told and I shall be writing further articles about this extraordinary performer, his orchestra and his sopranos. In the meantime, please enjoy my Squidoo lens and web site, which contains more Andre Rieu delights and even some super free videos of his performances, plus the singers. Details in the author’s resource box.
About the Author
Author Ray, loves good music. Such as Andre Rieu’s Orchestra.
Much to enjoy, including free videos of Andre; orchestra and his three beautiful sopranos. Just started building a new web site at http://www.raygc.com/andrerieu/
Also very excited about his new Squidoo lens at. http://www.squidoo.com/Andre-Rieu
Please visit.
Andre Rieu – Shostakovich’ Second Waltz
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Andre Rieu : Merry Christmas [European Import] $8.24 |
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Frühlings Stimmen Andre Rieu Strauss Orchestra CD $16.00 |
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Andre Rieu In Wonderland DVD + bonus audio CD $20.88 |
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Andre Rieu Christmas Collection 2 DVD set $26.98 |
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Andre Rieu – The Flying Dutchman CD As Seen On PBS Version with 20 Tracks $19.99 |
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Andre Rieu Live In New York CD Public Television Premium Bonus Tracks RARE NEW $19.99 |
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Dreaming Universal Int’l Composer: Andre / Rieu, Jean-Phi 2002-01-22 Import Mus $9.36 |
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LIVE IN DUBLIN ANDRE RIEU $19.99 |
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Andre Rieu Strauss & Co Classical CD – Like New $14.79 |
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Rieu, Andre Forever Vienna (W/Dvd) (Dlx) CD ** NEW ** $15.64 |
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ANDRE RIEU-LOVE AROUND THE WORLD- PROMO CD $24.99 |
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ANDRE RIEU ‘DREAMING’ CD $15.00 |
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ANDRE RIEU[Violin]: ROMANTIC MOMENTS $6.99 |
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ANDRE RIEU ‘STRAUSS & Co’ CD $15.00 |
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“Rieu,andre / Dancing Through DVD” $23.92 |
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“Rieu,andre / You Raise Me Up CD” $22.57 |
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The Christmas I Love, Andre Rieu, Johann Strauss Orche, Excellent $6.48 |
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VHS: ANDRE RIEU THE VIENNA I LOVE $12.77 |
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VHS: ANDRE RIEU THE VIENNA I LOVE $9.77 |
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Andre Rieu – La Vie est Belle (DVD, 2003) $3.99 |
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Andre Rieu – Forever Vienna [18 TRACK ALBUM PROMO CD] $2.69 |
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Andre Rieu – Radio City Music Hall Live in New York (DVD, 2007) $4.99 |
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ANDRE RIEU**IN WONDERLAND (COLLECTOR’S EDTN)**2 CD SET $14.95 |
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An Unforgettable Evening with Andre Rieu (DVD 2011) Ntsc RegionFree $23.49 |
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ANDRE RIEU**ROMANTIC PARADISE**DVD $12.95 |
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ANDRE RIEU salut dámour VARIOUS privat DC 7045 $99.99 |
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New Andre Rieu The Flying Dutchman DVD $5.50 |
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LIVE IN DUBLIN ANDRE RIEU $4.00 |
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ANDRE RIEU-FROM HOLLAND WITH LOVE-WALTZES-Phillips CD $9.00 |
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ANDRE RIEU The VIENNA I LOVE ~WALTZES from MY HEART Classical WALTZ Record ALBUM $8.49 |
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Andre Rieu CD (At The Movies) $7.50 |
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Andre Rieu CD (The Flying Dutchman) $7.50 |
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Andre Rieu Tuscany Concert DVD 23 Cuts Music Waltz Popular & Classics $8.88 |
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Andre Rieu – Live in Dublin $7.16 |
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Andre Rieu Live In Vienna DVD Fall 2008 PBS Special $17.98 |
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Andre Rieu – From Holland With Love CD Waltzes $6.49 |
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ANDRE RIEU – 101 YEARS OF STRAUSS CD $8.87 |
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Andre Rieu – Valses CD NEW! $10.20 |
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Andre Rieu – New Year’s in Vienna (DVD) Mint Condition $9.99 |
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ANDRE RIEU MY MUSIC, MY LIFE 2 CD SET 30 TRACKS $14.75 |
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Andre Rieu – Live At The Royal Albert Hall (DVD, 2002) $15.79 |
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Andre Rieu: A Celebration of Music (DVD, 2010, 3-Disc Set) $26.99 |
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ANDRE RIEU & MAASTRICHT SALON ORCHESTRA – Serenata (Philips) ED1 Audiophile LP ! $67.05 |
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ANDRE RIEU, VIOLIN / MERRY CHRISTMAS / CD $14.99 |
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RIEU,ANDRE – MY MUSIC MY LIFE [CD NEW] $41.24 |
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ANDRE RIEU: NEW YEAR’S IN VIENNA [DVD NEW] $16.13 |
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ANDRE RIEU – THE HOMECOMING! NEW CD $24.05 |
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ANDRE RIEU collection CD 18 track (5890512) european philips 2001 $11.05 |
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ANDRE RIEU WALTZES SEALED CD NEW STRAUSS SHOSTAKOVICH $8.30 |
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ANDRE RIEU TICKETS LG ARENA BIRMINGHAM 19 DECEMBER 2012 – BEST SEATS IN VENUE $409.40 |
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Andre Rieu: A Celebration of Music 3DVD Set (Slip Case) $16.99 Gathering together glorious sounds from the strings of renowned violinist Andre Rieu brings together a blended collection of joyous moments from three of his shows. Includes Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2002), The Homecoming (2006) and La Vie Est Belle (2001). 3 DVDs. Color/3 hrs/NR/fullscreen…. |
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Andre Rieu: Radio City Hall Live in New York $11.89 Studio: Wea-des Moines Video Release Date: 09/11/2007… |
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Andrea Bocelli: Vivere – Live in Tuscany [Blu-ray] $26.24 Studio: Uni Dist Corp (music) Release Date: 05/26/2009… |
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Andre Rieu – At Schonbrunn, Vienna (W/ Johann Strauss Orch) [Blu-Ray] $34.98 Region Code (Area): 0 – All – Plays on all Blu-Ray Players Worldwide Audio: German: Dolby Digital 2.0 or German : DTS – HD Master 5.0 or German : PCM 2.0 Video Format: 1080p High Definition / 16:9 Widescreen Subtitles: English or Dutch or French Tracks: 01 Entry march / Einzugsmarsch 02 Trumpet Voluntary 03 At the Hunt / Auf der Jagd 04 Fächerpolonaise 05 Roses from the South / Rose… |
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Andre Rieu in Concert with Johann Strauss Orchestra $9.85 … |
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Andre Rieu: An Unforgettable Evening with Andre Rieu (DVD) $19.79 This box set offers three separate concert films toplined by violinist, composer and conductor Andre Rieu, as originally issued individually. Included are: 100 YEARS OF STRAUSS, THE FLYING DUTCHMAN and WONDERLAND. |
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Christmas With Andre Rieu $14.83 Dutch violinist Andre Rieu will bring some of the joy of the holiday season into your home with this beautiful presentation filmed in some of Europe`s most scenic locales. Lovely renditions of your favorite yuletide songs mingle with elegant visuals … |
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Andre Rieu – At The Movies $12.05 Description Not Available |
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Andre Rieu – Love Songs $11.87 Disc 1:Romeo and Juliet, film score: Love ThemeTrue love, song (from “High Society”)Titanic, film score: Theme: My Heart Will Go OnChanson d`amourBalladeOrchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068: Air on a … |
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Andre Rieu – The Homecoming (DVD) $12.86 Description not available. |
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Andre Rieu – Dreaming $11.3 Description Not Available |
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Andr? Rieu – Masterpieces $12.93 Disc 1:Strauss PartySuite for Jazz Orchestra no 2, Op. 50b: no 6, Waltz IIGianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caroConcerto for Violin in F minor, Op. 8 no 4/RV 297 “L`inverno”: 2nd movement, LargoGeschichten aus dem W… |
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Fiesta by Andre Rieu $10.38 Description Not Available |
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Andre Rieu: Homecoming $13.03 |
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Andre Rieu – Live in Dublin $17.39 Description Not Available |
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Andr Rieu: Greatest Hits $16.68 Disc 1:Nuns` Chorus, for violin & salon orchestra (after Johann Strauss II, from `Casanova`)Grfin Mariza (Countess Maritza), operetta: Komm, ZiganyAll Men Shall Be Brothers / Beethoven`s 9th Symphony, medley for salon orc… |
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Andre Rieu Live $12.48 Disc 1:T` kleine cafEn nou die Hendjies de Lucht (Die Hnde zum Himmel)Marching on, for salon orchestraHasja, hopsasa!Die lustige Witwe van den Bosch, for salon orchestra (after Lehar)Goede Tijden, medley f… |
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BEST OF ANDRE RIEU $13.04 |
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Andre Rieu – Greatest Hits (DVD) $16.82 Description not available. |
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Andre Rieu – In Wonderland [4/1] $16.95 Description Not Available |
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Andre Rieu – You Raise Me Up (Import) $36.66 Description not available. |
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Radio City Music Hall – Live in New York / Andre Rieu $24.26 Disc 1:The Music Man: Seventy-Six TrombonesMy wayThe Godfather: Godfather`s WaltzYakety SaxI will follow himNun`s ChorusTorna a SurrientoWashington PostPhantom of the Opera: Music of the Night… |
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Andre Rieu – Live in Vienna / Rieu, et al $14.39 Disc 1:Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka (Chit-Chat Polka), for orchestra, Op. 214 (RV 214)Grfin Mariza (Countess Maritza), operetta: Komm, ZiganyCs rd s (“Klnge der Heimat”), for voice & orchestra (RV 503-6)Gold und Silber-Wal… |
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Andre Rieu – Live At Royal Albert Hall $11.87 Description Not Available |
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Very Best Of Andre Rieu – By Rieu,Andre $13.29 Disc 1:The Blue Danube, Op. 314Trish Trash Polka, Op. 214Entrance March (from The Gypsy Baron)Radetsky March, Op. 228Tales from the Vienna Woods, Op. 325Roses from the South, Op. 388The Emperor Waltz, O… |