Andre Rieu - He's A Sex Symbol With Strings Attached
ANDRE Rieu may woo the same female fan base but the classical music superstar insists he is no Tom Jones.
(c) G.Ramaekers
Happily married for more than 30 years, Rieu's many adoring fans will have to be content admiring the virtuoso violinist from afar.
"Sometimes, people throw stuff up on stage but I'm not Tom Jones," Rieu tells Insider when asked about some of his more eager fans. "I would be lying if I said I don't like it. I am flattered when people like my way of making music and that's why I do it."
He says his wife, Marjorie, has no problem with his female fans, adding, "She knows it is part of the job and it is a profession."
Rieu is talking to Insider from Holland, where he and his family are celebrating Christmas and new year at the castle in which they live.The violinist, composer and conductor, 60, is promoting the release of his latest DVD and album, Andre Rieu Live In Sydney, which he filmed on his recent October tour. It features guest appearances from Alan Jones (singing I Am Australian) and Dame Edna Everage.
Rieu's label, Universal Music, has high hopes for it, with 300,000 copies shipped to retailers before Christmas.
His latest release also features Australian singer Mirusia Louwerse, who travels with him around the world.
"It is cool for me because the Australian audience is fantastic; the whole world can see how it clicks between the Australian audience and me," he said. "First it will be released in Australia but later on, of course, it will be released around the world. All the products I make are for the world."
In October, 2010 Rieu will do it all again: he's booked for seven concerts in Australia and New Zealand.
This time around, he is hoping to work with Olivia Newton-John.
"I met Olivia at one of the last concerts and I'm a big fan of hers," he said. "Probably we are going to do things together in 2010."
Rieu has sold millions of albums and DVDs around the world and Australia is one of his biggest markets. He puts his success down to hard work and passion.
"When I analyse my success, I think it is because I make music with my heart," he said. 'It sounds like a cliche but it's really true - I only play the pieces that are close to my heart.
"Record companies all around the world forgot for a long time that there is also music besides pop music.
"My music is classical music brought with humour and brought with lightness and brought with tears and heart. There is a huge audience for this way of making music and way of loving music as a musician."
Rieu, an admitted control freak, runs his own company to distribute his albums and run his productions. That way no "middle men" get in the way.
"I had this dream in my head and, to achieve that result, it is much easier and much faster when I do everything myself," he said.
"I have a small group of people working for me and you see the results. We have very short lines with big arenas where we play all around the world."
Rieu isn't really comfortable with fame, either. His wife and two sons, Marc and Pierre, are all part of his business and they all travel around the world together.
"Fame is nothing. Fame is something that exists in the heads of some people.
But for me, fame is nothing, everything is relative," he said.
"I don't need managers or an entourage to prove myself."
Rieu recently became a grandfather for the first time and says he is committed to being a family man.
His youngest son, Pierre, and his wife recently welcomed twin daughters.
"They are now three weeks old," he said with pride. "It's fantastic but absolutely exhausting. They are so energetic - these babies should sleep! I am very proud, though. It's great."
Andre Rieu's Live In Sydney DVD and album are out now. Rieu plays Sydney's Acer Arena on October 31, 2010
By Jonathon Moran
From: The Sunday Telegraph
Categories: Australia,Andre Rieu,Articles-Interviews
Tags: Andre Rieu
I think it is great that you and your family have control of your own business... but I must remember not to throw things onto the stage Ha Ha
Promise I wont!!!!
Joy
Melbourne Australia
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I do not think of Andre as a 'sex symbol'. He is just a wonderful human being, who brings much joy and happiness to those of us who love him.
Susan
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André, you are not sex symbol. Only no matter what, anybody minds. Stand - out - musician - violinist, which ration out joy, luck and sedation people-fans, who have they would such styling music. At full fart Love T.
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I watched andre reiu spectacular from melbourne austrailia shown boxing day on channel 5. Is it possible to get a dvd of the complete performance as shown on TV. Fred
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http://andrerieufan.com/2009/11/10/andre-rieu--live-in-sydney-cd--dvd.aspx
2nd concert DVD from Australia. Filmed in Sydney.
http://andrerieufan.com/2009/10/26/andre-rieus-australian-adventure-dvd.aspx
Behind the scenes look at Andre’s coming to Australia. Good Adventure, not a concert
http://andrerieufan.com/2008/11/22/andre-rieu--live-in-australia.aspx
Live in Australia, the first concert and DVD of Andre Rieu in Australia
Filmed in Melbourne
Hello Fred:
The highlighted DVD is the one you asked about. It is Sisi’s Castle, the large extravaganza Andre brought to Australia in 2008.
The other two are both good shows/concert from Australia. The ‘Adventures’ is not a concert, but a behind the scene look. The Sydney DVD is a concert.
I hope this helps. J
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I've never really liked the term, "sex symbol", for anybody. It is mostly created by the media, who like to put labels on everyone. IMO, Andre represents so much more than that. His whole onstage look & that of his orchestra represent romance. Put romance & beautiful music together & you have Andre Rieu & the beautiful JSO. What woman doesn't like that combination? And he's a genius of a business man. To take a dream & build it to where it is today is nothing short of genius. And to have found the perfect woman to work beside him helps to make it work. Marjorie is that perect woman for him. She is self assured & intelligent in her own right & needs no limelight for herself. I'm not sure many others would fit that bill. It's a working patnership to be admired.
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I agree with you Shirley, I have never been crazy about the term "sex symbol" as it allegedly applies to Andre by the writer. I think the female audience is attracted to Andre because of his physical charm but men love him also so that tells you there is so much more to him. He plays beautiful music and has talented and attractive musicians; his music runs the gamut from the waltz to light classical to popular. He is a genius at picking the spectacular sets and venues for his shows and like you said Shirley he is the essence of romance which most women love. He has a love for the music he plays which is so evident by the number of expressions on his face. He just doesn't play the music, he is the music and it comes through on that beautiful violin. Being a woman I know you are first attracted by that handsome exterior but then you begin to see the entire package of who Andre is - still stunning, but there are so many more attributes as I explained above and I really believe that the person who is Andre Rieu can never be duplicated. He has managed to put together a perfect package of talent, beauty, romance, energy, enthusiasm and love. I could go on and on but I think you get the idea.
Hugs to all!
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You said that very nicely Shirley!
I never like the term "sex symbol" either.
Everyone has their own views and likes/dislikes about anyone, it's what makes the world go round. I believe with all my heart that André has such a fantastic attitude with life, that everyone picks up on this (and much, much more) and as a result we cannot help but respect him in every way.
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Dear beautiful Marjorie and André.Your music is superb.I think you are Youthful,Unrivalled,Magical,Musical Maestro=YUM.I don't think you like our Vegemite which I think is YUM.You say all men will or should be brothers -Schiller I think.I have never learned a musical instrument but music especially yours goes straight to my heart.The music Ben makes me cry because of the loss of my son but it is still beautiful.Last year you honoured Luciano Pavaroti and this year Michael Jackson.This is very special André.Big hugs to you, your family and especially your three very precious grandchildren. Dear Opa My Heart Does Go On. x
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