André Rieu


André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu is a Dutch violinist and conductor best known for creating the waltz-playing Johann Strauss Orchestra. He and his orchestra have turned classical and waltz music into a worldwide concert touring act, as successful as some of the biggest global pop and rock music acts. He resides in his native Maastricht.

Early life and family

The name Rieu is of French Huguenot origin. André was born to Andries Antonie Rieu and is the third of six children. He has two older sisters, two younger brothers, and a younger sister.
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,, studying under Jo Juda and Herman Krebbers.
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.
He married Marjorie Kochmann in 1975. She has been a language teacher and has written compositions. They have two sons Marc and Pierre.
He speaks six languages: Dutch, English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.

Career

Johann Strauss Orchestra

Rieu created the Johann Strauss Orchestra in 1987 and began with 12 members, giving its first concert on 1 January 1988. Over the years it has expanded dramatically, as of 2020 performing with between 50 and 60 musicians. Rieu plays a 1667 Stradivarius violin.
Rieu and his orchestra have appeared throughout Europe, North and South America, Japan, and Australia. The size and revenue of their tours are rivalled only by the largest pop and rock music acts. In 2008 Rieu's extravagant tour featured a full size reproduction of Empress Sisi's Castle, the biggest stage ever to go on tour at that time. During the first half of 2009, André Rieu was the world's most successful male touring artist, according to Billboard magazine.
;Recent world tour results in Billboard / Pollstar annual worldwide top tours lists
YearRank# ShowsRevenueSource
2018#2171 shows$55,933,149Billboard 2018 Top 25 Tours
2017#4289 shows$47,700,000Pollstar Top 100 Worldwide Tours
2016#2371 shows$40,169,471Billboard Top 25 Tours 2016
2015#20101 shows$51,151,367Billboard Top 25 Tours 2015
2014#1770 shows$42,983,266Billboard Top 25 Tours 2014
2013#2070 shows$49,881,605Billboard Top 25 Tours 2013
2012#1099 shows$46,785,710Billboard Top 25 Tours 2012
2011# 9102 shows$67,104,756Billboard Top 25 Tours 2011
2010#1686 shows$39,992,285Billboard Top 25 Tours 2010
2009# 6112 shows$95,854,338Billboard Top 25 Tours 2009
2008# 871 shows$76,900,000Pollstar's top 10 worldwide tour acts 2008

Rieu records both DVD and CD repertoire at his own studios in Maastricht in a wide range of classical, popular, and folk music, as well as thematic music from well-known soundtracks and musical theatre. His lively orchestral presentations, in tandem with effective marketing, have attracted worldwide audiences to this emergent subgenre of classical music.
In addition to two World Music Awards, Rieu's recordings have gone gold and platinum in many countries, including 8-times Platinum in the Netherlands.
Television is also an important outlet for Rieu and his orchestra. 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.

Reception

In spite of its wide international success, Rieu's mix of waltzes, popular music, comedy, and pathos has attracted its critics. Chris Boyd, a critic writing for Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper, did not criticize his playing, but described his main stage function as " and delegation".
Of Rieu's popularity and the media debate surrounding him, Eamon Kelly wrote in The Australian newspaper: "It is disappointing to see professional journalists indulging in cheap, inaccurate stereotypes to dismiss criticism of Rieu." But he goes on to add: "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."

Honours