André Rieu & his World Tour in Toronto
André Rieu to Launch his World Tour in Toronto
with the Largest Set Ever
TORONTO -- On December 14 and 15, André Rieu will launch his World Stadium Concert Tour, “A Romantic Vienna Night”, in Toronto. For this tour, André Rieu had a full-scale copy of Schönbrunn - the Viennese castle - built. The set will be the largest one ever built for a tour show: 125 meters large, 30 meters deep and 35 meters high.
For André Rieu, this will represent his dream come true. "In 2006, we played at the actual Schönbrunn in Vienna, the castle of Empress Sissi and Emperor Franz Joseph. The concert was a huge success, and the castle was the perfect background for the music we brought. However, not everyone has the opportunity to come to Vienna to see us play. For this reason, we developed the idea to bring Vienna to the rest of the world," says André Rieu.
Rieu is presenting “his” Schönbrunn castle complete with 2 ice rinks and a ballroom of over 300 m2. Neither effort nor expenses were spared: a ballroom will real golden chandeliers; a hand-painted ceiling; the original fountains rebuilt at full scale; 14 carriages with 36 horses coming from Vienna. It will take six days for the 100 stage designers to build the set.
And a set of such a scale evidently demands a host of artists. 250 artists are accompanying Rieu on his world tour, all dressed in lush romantic costumes, including The Platin Tenors, Carmen Monarcha, Carla Mafioletti, Mirusia Louwerse and Suzan Erens, among others. The maestro is especially proud that he will be accompanied by real Viennese artists. "I am very honored to be able to count on the world-famous ballet group of the Wiener Staatsopera. I couldn’t ask for a more suitable ballet company," says Rieu, who also hired eighty debutants of the famous Viennese ballet school Elmayer.
"However, no matter how great and important the set may be, everything is there mainly to support the most important thing of all - the music. The stage must support the music, not the other way around." As always, the program consists of many waltzes, by Strauss, Lehàr, and others, as well as romantic melodies taken from operas and musicals.
Concerts of the World Stadium Tour are already scheduled in Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium and Australia.
Construction begins!
One week before the kick-off of the World Stadium Tour construction
begins at the Rogers Centre, Toronto.
By unloading more than 80 containers and laying down kilometres of cables we are beginning with the makeover of this cold and empty stadium into a beautiful Viennese-scene, complete with chandeliers, ice-rinks, a ballroom,
huge fountains and much more
An extreme makeover, because in the end this arena will be filled with a record breaking construction: The biggest stage ever on tour;
A full size reproduction of the empress Sisi's castle in Vienna!
Being tour manager, André Rieu's son Pierre (with the golden helmet)
has to keep an eye on everything and make sure that
the 125 x 35 meters stage will be finished within a week.
Categories: Concerts,Andre Rieu,2007 Concerts,Canada
hey every one!
wow i cant wait to see the finall pictures of it when all of the construction is finally done!!! i wish i could go! well have fun all and dont forget to take pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!
-jeff
This is going to be so special. We are very excited to be going and we are looking forward to meeting other fans.
I am going to the concert in Toronto on the 14th and I would like to share some cds and music to Mr Andre Rieu from my grandfather, violinist and composer. Is there a way for me to give it to somebody so he can get them?
Many thanks webmaster Sally also to the other webmasters and moderators and ambassadors for all we receive from you.my appologies if i dont know everyone by name,but i do appreciate your work.regards,Nicolejoy.
Dear Friends, I feel very honored that Andre chose a Canadian city to present his Gala for 2007. The building and setting up the decore will be a tremendous effort & Pierre is to be commended for taking on this huge chore. I know he will do his utmost to make his Dad's dream a reality! Since I live 2000 miles from Toronto I do hope they make a dvd of both the concert & the preparations. Love Marianne
Hi Marianne
thought i would write back,, i was at the concert on sat. dec.15 and it was absolutely beautiful.. breathtaking,,,,my husband bought them for me x-mas of 2006 as a gift,,, and what a gift it was, anyhow, i am also interested in the dvd or cd,, my niece works at H.M.V. and i called her to see if there was a video out yet of the show and she said not yet,, who knows when????? if i hear of anything i will let you know okay!!!!!! you take care and enjoy his music and have a Merry Christmas and happy hollidays!!! ida
Hi Ida, so glad you enjoy the concert. It was just fantastic, wasn't it!! There are rumors of a DVD and they were doing a lot of filming but no word as yet. Keep checking with us and if we know anything we will post it. Hugs to you
Just a few more days for this event to take place. André is setting a world record with this Vienna stage Stadium production, it's very exciting and even though I cannot be there, I'm thrilled just thinking about it.
Hello Dear Fans & Friends.
I've added more (larger) photographs to the NEWS page of the Website.
Check it out:
www.AndreRieuFans.com
Just like André: Sally, this website just gets better & better
I just read yesterday in a German paper, that his next dream is to play in space, at the moment he thinks it is too expensive 7O Mill. per person, but in a few years it might get cheaper, haaaaaaaaaa! I think I decline to go there! Inge
That is too funny Inge. Maybe some billionare will pay for the only ticket.
Gives new meaning to the phrase "Out of This World".
Venue info: The Rogers Centre is recognized as one of the world's premiere entertainment centres, which since its spectacular opening on June 3, 1989, has achieved the highest honours in the stadium entertainment industry. Formerly known as SkyDome, the venue was renamed the Rogers Centre on February 2, 2005. Over 2,000 events have been staged and more than 50 million people have visited Rogers Centre - famous the world over for its fully retractable roof.Roger Centre facility's capacity ranges from 5,000 to 60,000 for sports events, concerts, family shows, trade shows and conventions. Rogers Centre is home of the Toronto Blue Jays.
I finally saw the videos:" Kruispunt portrait" and "Volle Kanne" you most likely saw them all long ago ????? I have not been in your web for a long time, so now I got them from Peggy. I must say, that Kruispunt portrait is the most truthful picture I have seen so far about André and "Volle Kanne" was nice for me , did not have to read the under titles, but the Dutch I can understand a lot, not all. Inge
To everyone who is attending the concerts in Canada have a safe journey and a wonderful time.
Only 338 days till I see the show in Melbourne!!!!!!
Can't wait to hear your reports!!!
Attention Entertainment Editors:
Demand hits record high for André Rieu show as more tickets are added
Only North American full-stadium show will set new World Records
TORONTO, Dec. 12 /CNW/ - ANDRE RIEU will unveil his first full-stadium
show, "A Romantic Vienna Night," in Toronto on Friday, December 14 and
Saturday, December 15, 2007. This is the only North American stop on the tour
and to keep up with ticket demand additional tickets have been added to
Friday's show. Saturday's finale has already sold out.
Become a part of history by joining the largest crowd to ever watch an
indoor concert that is both a celebration of classical music and the arts. You
will be swept away to Europe in all its grandeur and opulence without leaving
the city! Concert goers will experience the romance of Vienna as RIEU
transforms ROGERS CENTRE into the beautiful IMPERIAL SCHONBRUNN PALACE
complete with full orchestra, two skating rinks, a grand ballroom, dancers,
horses and carriages and much more. RIEU, along with his 50 member Johann
Strauss Orchestra, bring it all to life under one roof.
His unique and exuberant style makes his shows some of the most talked
about in the classical music industry. Fans spend more time dancing in the
aisle than sitting in their seats. His music is uplifting, inspirational, and
timeless and enjoyed by everyone.
"Toronto fans have always received us warmly," commented Rieu. "I am
extremely happy to be bringing Vienna to them first with our unique
full-stadium show."
RIEU will be joined by over 400 performers including Canadian Junior
Pairs Skaters Rachel Kirckland and Eric Radford along with Monica Pisotta and
Michael Stewart. In addition, dancers from the National Ballet of Vienna,
classically trained soloists and 200 Canadian Pipers will be part of the
extravaganza.
The prices for the Australian Tours are astronomical. Is that a misprint ??
Is New Zealand also included in the new programme ? Regards, Magda
My wife and I flew to Toronto to see the show, It was snowy and cold, and Taxis were scarce. The staff of The Rogers went above the call of duty in seeing that the patrons all got cabs. After seeing all the preparation and planning of the show, I hope that it was a fiscal success. Phil from Kissimmee,FLORIDA (And you wondered why I was cold)