André Rieu
André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu (Dutch: [ˈɑndreː riˈjøː], French: [ɑ̃dʁe ʁjø]; born 1 October 1949) is a Dutch violinist and conductor best known for creating the waltz-playing Johann Strauss Orchestra.
Rieu and his orchestra have turned classical and waltz music into a worldwide concert touring act.[1] He resides in his native Maastricht.[2]
Early life and family
The name Rieu is of French Huguenot origin, though both of Rieu's parents were Roman Catholic.[3] André was born to Andries Antonie Rieu and is the third of six children.[2][4]
Rieu's father was conductor of the Maastricht Symphony Orchestra. Showing early promise, André began studying violin at the age of five. From a very early age, he developed a fascination with orchestra. He studied violin at the Conservatoire Royal in Liège and at the Conservatorium Maastricht, (1968–1973), studying under Jo Juda and Herman Krebbers.[citation needed]
From 1974 to 1977, he attended the Music Academy in Brussels, studying with André Gertler. He completed his training with the distinction "Premier Prix" from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels.[5]
He married Marjorie Kochmann in 1975.[6] She has been a language teacher and has written compositions. They have two sons.[4]
He speaks six languages: Dutch, English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.[6]
Career
Johann Strauss Orchestra
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Andr%C3%A9_Rieu_Vrijthofconcert_2018_%2802%29.jpg/220px-Andr%C3%A9_Rieu_Vrijthofconcert_2018_%2802%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Andre_Rieu_und_Carmen_Monarcha.jpg/220px-Andre_Rieu_und_Carmen_Monarcha.jpg)
Rieu created the Johann Strauss Orchestra in 1987 and began with 12 members, giving its first concert on 1 January 1988.[7] As of 2020, he performs with between 50 and 60 musicians. Rieu plays a 1667 Stradivarius violin.[3]
Rieu and his orchestra have appeared throughout Europe, North and South America, Japan, and Australia, and New Zealand. In 2008, Rieu's tour featured a full-size reproduction of Empress Sisi's Castle, the biggest stage to have gone on tour at that time.[8]
Year | Rank | No. of shows | Revenue | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | #16 | 86 shows | $39,992,285 | Billboard Top 25 Tours 2010[9] |
2011 | # 9 | 102 shows | $67,104,756 | Billboard Top 25 Tours 2011[10] |
2012 | #10 | 99 shows | $46,785,710 | Billboard Top 25 Tours 2012[11] |
2013 | #20 | 70 shows | $49,881,605 | Billboard Top 25 Tours 2013[12] |
2014 | #17 | 70 shows | $42,983,266 | Billboard Top 25 Tours 2014[13] |
2015 | #20 | 101 shows | $51,151,367 | Billboard Top 25 Tours 2015[14] |
2016 | #23 | 71 shows | $40,169,471 | Billboard Top 25 Tours 2016[15][16] |
2017 | #42 | 89 shows | $47,700,000 | Pollstar Top 100 Worldwide Tours[17] |
2018 | #21 | 71 shows | $55,933,149 | Billboard 2018 Top 25 Tours[1] |
For two weeks in 2013, one of the channels of the BSkyB group, Sky Arts 2 in the UK, was renamed as Sky Arts Rieu. Between 30 March and 14 April 2013 Sky Arts Rieu broadcast Rieu concerts and documentaries 24 hours per day.[18]
Rieu also composed music for the 2014 film Tuscan Wedding.[19][20]
Reception
Australia
Chris Boyd, a critic writing for Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper, did not criticize his playing, but described Rieu's main stage function as "blarney and delegation".[21][self-published source]
Eamon Kelly wrote in The Australian newspaper: "It is disappointing to see professional journalists indulging in cheap, inaccurate stereotypes to dismiss criticism of Rieu."[22] He also wrote: "Equally misguided are those who cursorily dismiss Rieu. Rieu's live and recorded performances have brought joy to millions of people. Few in his audiences are regular classical music attendees and it could be seen as promising that, via Rieu, they are listening to standards of the classical canon. The fact that Rieu's focus is on highly accessible, enjoyable repertoire is not an argument against his musical credentials."[22]
By December 2008, Rieu had achieved his 100th platinum accreditation in Australia[23] and by May 2011, Rieu had sold over $50 million worth of wholesale shipments of his CDs and DVDs in Australia and was the highest-selling music artist in the Australian market between 2006 and 2011.[24]
Honours
Country | Date | Appointment | Ribbon | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kingdom of the Netherlands | 2002 | Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion | ![]() | [25] |
Province of Limburg, Kingdom of the Netherlands | 2009 | Honorary Medal of the Province of Limburg | [25] | |
French Republic | 2009 | Knight of the Order of the Arts and the Letters | ![]() | [25] |
City of Maastricht, Kingdom of the Netherlands | 2010 | Medal of Honor from the City of Maastricht | [26] | |
Republic of Austria | 2011 | Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria | ![]() | [26] |
Kingdom of Bahrain | 2023 | Order of Bahrain- First Class | ![]() | [27] |
Selected discography
Albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales | Certifications | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NLD [28] | AUS [29] | GER [30] | NZ [31] | SWI [30] | UK [32] | ||||
Serenata (with Maastricht Salon Orchestra) |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
La Belle Epoque (with Maastricht Salon Orchestra) |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Eine Kleine Salonmusik (with Maastricht Salon Orchestra) |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Hieringe Biete (with Maastricht Salon Orchestra) |
| 22 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Strauß Gala/ Strauss Gala (with Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| 9 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Preuvenemint / Vrijthofconcert (with Maastricht Salon Orchestra) |
| 71 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
D'n Blauwen Aovond (with Maastricht Salon Orchestra) |
| 16 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Merry Christmas |
| 34 | - | - | - | - | - |
| |
The Second Waltz |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| |
Strauß & Co / Strauss & Co (with Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| 1 | 82 | 4 | - | 20 | - |
|
|
Hieringe Biete 1 & 2 (with Maastricht Salon Orchestra) |
| 7 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Vienesse Blend |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| |
Straus Gala |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| |
Het Beste Van André Rieu 'Live' |
| 48 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Wiener Melange / The Vienna I Love (with Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| 1 | - | 19 | - | - | - |
| |
En Concert / In Concert |
| 5 | - | - | - | - | - |
| |
Silent Nights |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| |
Stille Nacht / The Christmas I Love / Mein Weihnachtstraum |
| 18 | - | 6 | - | - | - |
| |
Romantique / Romantic Moments |
| 19 | - | 6 | - | 17 | - |
| |
100 Jahre Strauß / 100 Years of Strauss |
| 13 | - | 3 | - | 3 | - |
| |
Das Jahrtausendfest / Fiesta! |
| 9 | - | 3 | - | 8 | - |
| |
Celebration (with Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| - | - | - | - | - | 50 | ||
La Vie est Belle |
| 15 | - | 6 | 17 | 12 | - |
| |
To Dream |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| |
The Collection |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| |
Musik Zum Träumen / Dromen / Dreaming |
| 8 | - | 7 | 25 | 13 | - |
| |
Walzertraum |
| - | - | 8 | - | 35 | - |
| |
Tour D'Amour / Love Around the World |
| 11 | - | - | 38 | - | - |
| |
Die Welt Der Violine - Ein Himmel Voller Geige |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Croisière Romantique / Romantic Paradise |
| 10 | - | 6 | - | 24 | - |
| |
Live At Royal Albert Hall |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Live in Dublin |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
At the Movies |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Tuscany |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Der Fliegende Holländer / The Flying Dutchman |
| 38 | - | 17 | - | 27 | - |
| |
Aus Meinem Herzen / Songs from My Heart (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| 33 | - | 26 | - | 56 | - |
| |
Weihnachten Rund um die Welt / Christmas Around the World |
| 60 | - | 20 | - | 34 | - | ||
Love Songs |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
The Homecoming |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
New York Memories |
| 24 | 86 | 13 | - | 51 | - | ||
The André Experience |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
André Rieu in Wonderland // Im Wunderland |
| 29 | 72 | 14 | - | 62 | - |
| |
The 100 Most Beautiful Melodies |
| - | 2 | - | 38 | - | - |
| |
Waltzing Matilda (with Mirusia Louwerse) |
| - | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| |
Top 100 |
| 11 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
At Schönbrunn, Vienna (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra and The Platin Tenors) |
| - | 76 | - | - | - | - | ||
Live in Australia |
| 97 | 14 | - | 31 | - | - |
| |
Ich tanze mit dir in den Himmel hinein / Dancing Through the Skies / Passionnément |
| 99 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Live in Vienna (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Masterpieces |
| - | 9 | - | - | - | - | ||
You'll Never Walk Alone (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| 80 | 2 | - | 4 | - | - |
| |
Best of André Rieu |
| - | 23 | - | - | - | - | ||
Á Toi |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
My Music My Life |
| - | 83 | - | 35 | - | - | ||
Live in Sydney 2009 |
| - | 51 | - | - | - | - | ||
Forever Vienna |
| - | - | - | 18 | - | 2 |
| |
Celebrates Christmas and New Year |
| - | - | - | - | - | 91 | ||
Dreaming |
| - | - | - | - | - | 94 |
| |
The Magic Of André Rieu |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| |
Live in Concert |
| - | - | - | - | - | 43 | ||
Rosen Aus Dem Süden / You Raise Me Up |
| - | 8 | - | 5 | - | 38 |
| |
André Rieu presents Mirusia, Always & Forever (with Mirusia) |
| 34 | 17 | - | - | - | - | ||
Moonlight Serenade (with His Johann Strauss Orchestra)) |
| 100 | 17 | - | 38 | - | 4 |
| |
New Years Eve Concert |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Hits & Evergreens (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
And the Waltz Goes On |
| 63 | - | - | - | - | - |
| |
Waltzing in Europe |
| - | - | - | - | - | 63 | ||
December Lights / Joyeux Noël |
| 24 | - | - | - | - | 53 |
| |
In Love with Maastricht |
| - | - | - | - | - | 53 | ||
Rieu Royale (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| 3 | - | - | - | - | 40 |
| |
Mother & Child - Lullabies The Whole World Loves |
| - | 16 | - | - | - | - | ||
Classic Album Selections |
| 98 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Magic of the Movies |
| - | 50 | - | - | - | - |
| |
Celebrates ABBA / Music of the Night |
| 24 | 10 | 42 | 34 | 67 | 4 | ||
Christmas Collection (with His Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| 92 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Love Letters (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| - | - | - | - | - | 35 | ||
Magic of the Musicals |
| 34 | 17 | - | - | - | 42 | ||
Love in Venice / Eine Nacht in Venedig |
| 15 | - | 50 | - | 98 | 4 |
| |
Best of Christmas (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| - | 46 | - | - | 95 | 83 | ||
Magic of the Violin (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| - | - | - | 28 | - | 36 | ||
Roman Holiday (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| 43 | 39 | - | - | - | 8 |
| |
Magic of the Waltz |
| - | 34 | - | 35 | - | 16 | ||
Viva Olympia (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| - | - | - | - | - | 42 | ||
Falling in Love |
| - | 20 | - | 22 | - | 7 |
| |
Amore |
| 72 | - | - | 20 | 82 | 7 |
| |
Romantic Moments II (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| 6 | 27 | - | - | - | 22 |
| |
Happy Days (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| 26 | 25 | 60 | - | 82 | 6 |
| |
Jolly Holiday / Fröhliche Winterzeit (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| 7 | 10 | 18 | 25 | 94 | 6 |
| |
Happy Together (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| 28 | 28 | 63 | - | 71 | 5 |
| |
Silver Bells (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| 48 | 78 | - | - | - | 4 | ||
Jewels of Romance (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| - | - | - | - | - | 8 | ||
Love Is All Around (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
Videos
Title | Details | Certifications |
---|---|---|
Strauß & Co / Strauss & Co / Strauss & Co (with Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| |
Wiener Melange / The Vienna I Love (with Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| |
In Concert (with Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| |
Au Zénith de Paris (with Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| |
Romantic Moments (with Johann Strauss Orchestra) |
| |
La Vie est Belle |
|
|
Live at the Royal Albert Hall |
|
|
Dreaming |
|
|
Tour D'Amour / Love Around the World |
|
|
The Best of Live |
|
|
Croisière Romantique / Romantic Paradise |
|
|
Live in Dublin |
|
|
Der Fliegende Holländer / The Flying Dutchman |
|
|
The Christmas I Love / Christmas with Andre Rieu |
|
|
Songs From My Heart - Aus Meinem Herzen (Live in Maastricht) |
|
|
Christmas Around the World / Weihnachten Rund um die Welt |
|
|
New York Memories (Live at Radio City Music Hall) |
|
|
In Wonderland |
|
|
Live in Vienna |
|
|
New Year's Eve in Vienna |
|
|
Romance |
|
|
On Holiday |
|
|
On His Way to New York |
|
|
Love Songs |
|
|
Gala Concert |
|
|
Live in Maastricht II |
|
|
Live in Australia |
|
|
The 100 Greatest Moments |
|
|
Ich tanze mit dir in den Himmel hinein / Dancing Through the Skies |
|
|
Champagne Melodies |
|
|
At Schönbrunn, Vienna (with The Johann Strauss Orchestra and The Platin Tenors) |
|
|
Live in Maastricht 3 |
|
|
I Lost My Heart in Heidelberg |
|
|
Forever Vienna |
|
|
Live in Sydney |
|
|
Gala: Live in de Arena |
| |
My African Dreams |
|
|
A Midsummer Night's Dream (Live in Maastricht 4) |
|
|
Roses from the South - Live in Dublin |
|
|
Under the Stars (Live in Maastricht V) (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) |
|
|
And the Waltz Goes On - Vienna, City of My Dreams (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) |
|
|
Fiesta Mexicana! |
|
|
From Maastricht With Love - The Collection (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) |
| |
Magic of the Movies (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) |
|
|
Home for Christmas (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) |
|
|
25 Jahre Johann Strauss Orchester / Happy Birthday! (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) |
|
|
Rieu Royale (Coronation Concert Live in Amsterdam) (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) |
|
|
Live in Brazil (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) |
|
|
Christmas Around The World / The Christmas I Love (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) |
| |
Magic of the Musicals (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) |
|
|
Love in Venice: The 10th Anniversary Concert |
|
|
Magic of the Violin (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) |
|
|
Wonderful World - Live in Maastricht (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) |
|
|
Magic of the Waltz (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) |
| |
Falling in Love in Maastricht (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) |
| |
Christmas in London (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) |
|
|
Christmas Down Under: Live from Sydney (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) |
|
References
- ^ a b "The Year in Touring Charts". Billboard. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ a b Rieu, André. "André Rieu Biography". www.andrerieu.com. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ a b "Interview on German TV". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
- ^ a b Sonja. "Andre Rieu and his family". www.andrerieutranslations.com. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ "André Rieu". classicfm.co.uk. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- ^ a b "André Rieu: ten things you never knew". Classic FM. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ "Still going strong - the Johann Strauss Orchestra". ClassicFM. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
- ^ "Andre Rieu is top 10 Touring act". Andrerieu.com. 5 January 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ^ "Top 25 Tours of 2010". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ^ "Top 25 Tours of 2011". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ^ "Top 25 Tours of 2012". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ^ "Top 25 Tours of 2013". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ^ "Top 25 Tours of 2014". Billboard. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ "Top 25 Tours of 2015". Billboard. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ "Charts – Year End". Billboard. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ "Top 25 Tours" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ "Year End Top 100 Worldwide Tours" (PDF). Pollstar. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ "Sky Arts 2 Celebrates André Rieu". Skyarts.sky.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ^ "André Rieu componeerde muziek Toscaanse Bruiloft". NU.nl (in Dutch). 20 January 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
- ^ "Lieke van Lexmond bruid in Toscaanse bruiloft". NU.nl (in Dutch). 21 May 2013. Archived from the original on 25 June 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
- ^ Mozart, Marie (2018). Andre Rieu Coloring Book: King of Waltz and Classical Music, Johan Strauss Orchestra and Violinist Prodigy Inspired Adult Coloring Book. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 978-1-7258-9105-0.
- ^ a b "Music's Great Polariser". The Australian. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ^ "The Rieu Records Tumble". auspOp. December 2008. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ "Andre's $50M". auspOp. May 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ a b c Cooper, Kevin (14 November 2015). "Interview:Andre Rieu". UK Music Review. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
For his work, Rieu has been awarded such honours as the Order of the Netherlands Lion by the Netherlands, the Knight of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by France, and the Honorary Medal by his native Province of Limburg.
- ^ a b "Awards". www.andrerieu.com. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ "Bahrain News Agency".
- ^ "Discografie André Rieu". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Australian chart peaks:
- Top 50 (ARIA) peaks from 13 June 1988: "australian-charts.com > Andre Rieu in Australian Charts". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- Top 100 (ARIA) peaks from January 1990 to December 2010: Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 234–235.
- Silver Bells: "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 28 November 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1708. Australian Recording Industry Association. 28 November 2022. p. 6.
- ^ a b "Künstlerportal: André Rieu". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ "Discography of André Rieu". charts.nz. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ "Andre Rieu Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Dutch album certifications Goud/Platina" (in Dutch). NVPI. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ Guido Van Der Heijden & Annemiek Leclaire (14 July 1995). "Nederlandse violist verkoopt meer dan de Beatles". Trouw. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (André Rieu)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al "British certifications – Andre Rieu". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 19 November 2022. Type Andre Rieu in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ CERTIFICADOS – Pro-Música Brasil
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2008 DVDs" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2007 DVDs" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2011 DVDs" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 DVDs" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2010 DVDs" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 DVDs" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 DVDs" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2015 DVDs" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2016 DVDs" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
Further reading
- Rieu, Marjorie (2000). André Rieu: My Music, My Life. Naarden: Strengholt. ISBN 90-5860-0637.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- André Rieu at IMDb
- André Rieu (official website)
- André Rieu's Official Australian website
- André Rieu (C Music TV Biography)
- André Rieu at AllMusic
- The Magic of Andre Rieu
- André Rieu official channel on YouTube