Andre Rieu builds a copy of the Vrijthof
 
The violinist uses the decor in the MECC next year
if the weather is bad at his concerts on the square.

by Peter van de Berg

MAASTRICHT --

In just four kilometers from the ancient Vrijthof rises a copy of one of the most famous squares in the Netherlands. Responsible for the "architectural" masterpiece is Andre Rieu. The world-famous orchestra leader has created a new promotion. Before he and his famous Johann Strauss Orchestra leave on the icebreaker to the Arctic tour, first let the Stehgeiger build a repleca of the square for indoor concerts in the MECC in Maastricht.

Since he toured the world with an exact replica of the Viennese Schloss Schönbrunn, the violinist has a taste. Rieu is a perfectionist, he does everything at his concerts for his public as much as possible to spoil them. At his shows the stadium filling André Rieu often plays in indoor arenas. In the open air during his thirty-year career he has often been lucky with the weather. To bad weather but a blow to his Rieu has noted that his concerts on the weekends in the Vrijthof of 9 to July 11and from 16 to July 18 next year, may run no risk.

If necessary, he moves the entire production to the largest hall in the MECC. There is room for about ten thousand spectators, who - if they look around - the buildings of the Vrijthof get to see, like the many cafes, adjoining restaurants, the Theater at the Vrijthof, the Spanish Government and the churches St. Servaas and St. John . Where possible, Andre Rieu will make the buildings three-dimensional & large. "You know Andre," says his press spokeswoman Kerstin Cornelis. "The square should look exactly the same. Only the churches will naturally not quite fit in the MECC. It is an expensive investment, but we will have many years of Vrijthof concerts, so there will be a time when bad weather is experienced. Then we have at least one good backup. It is possible that in the future we take the decor Vrijthof-on tour."

Andre Rieu wants visitors to his concerts, to enjoy using the Vrijthof, in bad weather with free shuttle buses for transport to the MECC. It is not inconceivable that the decor is also used for concerts in the Christmas spirit by the conductor in December next year which the MECC is organizing. "We still have not really talked about it," said Cornelis. "Everything is possible in this regard. For now, however, we focus on current projects."