VIOLINIST and showman Andre Rieu does more than engender the devotion of his army of fans. He understands it. Last year his Live In Australia was the top-selling music DVD.

Not only were his titles the next five best-selling discs, he had 21 DVDs in the top 50. Of the top 50 classical albums sold last year, 19 were Rieu's.

''It's because nobody [has played] the music like we do for a long time,'' the Dutchman says, explaining how he struggled towards success.

Seven years of attempts to persuade record companies failed, until his waltzes and operettas attracted the interest of one company that produced a record.

''We sold 850,000 copies in [the Netherlands] in the first year,'' he says proudly. ''Thriller sold 900,000 but it took two years.''

Now Rieu and his orchestra, who play the first of four shows at Melbourne's Rod Laver Areana tonight, tour 11 months of the year.

Their luggage is spray-painted with large numbers - Rieu's is 69 - to help logistics for a crew that performs 120 concerts a year.

''It's not that we're laughing all the time - but we show that we're normal,'' the 60-year-old says.

Critics of his folksy, friendly shows are missing the point, according to Rieu. ''I think they don't have fun in life,'' he says, straight faced.

Classical music purists tend to frown on waltzes. ''I love the waltz because it's something where you have to give yourself to (it),'' he says. Crowds move with the rhythm, some take to the aisles or wave their hands.

''I see the audience swaying and I see one man not moving,'' Rieu says. ''He's the critic.''