Andre Rieu Speaks About Not Touring & His Return To Health
Star Violinist André Rieu for the first time
talks about his break from touring
about his illness - and a lesson for life.
"Four months, I was flat," he says. "It was hell! Everything around me has changed."
The doctors said that there were a balance disorder caused by a viral infection. He was ready. And then? “Much Retrospection!”
I've talked a lot with my wife. We came up with that I had changed a lot of things."
André Rieu had gone too far: building openings and readings - things he did for good friends because he cannot say no.
For the past five years, he and his wife had not had a holiday, because they wanted to have everything under their control.
Question: Now do you have anything under control?
André Rieu: The cancellation of my tours in England, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand was difficult. We had a conversation with the finance people, we asked: How long can we afford not to act?
They said: "Well, you should return to the stage again tomorrow." But those words are from the financiers.
Question: An artist is interested in hard numbers, money matters?
Rieu: Yes, I am not a money man. My job is to give! I am interested in the grave but not how much money is there beside me.
Question: Your debt is said to be 18 million euros which is high.
Rieu: Wait a minute, I have worked my last year of ten million euros of debt to ten million euros in the black. I was debt free. Until now. The failure by my forced break, I am now almost back to zero.
Question: Where did it go wrong?
Rieu: The Australian tour, for which we can rebuilt the castle of Schonbrunn, I had too much debt. All I had, I pledged. Even my Stradivarius of 1627!
André Rieu laughs and sweeps his hands over his blue jacket.
Question: What did you feel when you had to borrow against your violin?
Rieu: I was hoping not to lose my Stradivarius, but the bank wanted me to sell it. So I have returned to Vienna - offered, I am not so stupid - but totally overpriced! I once bought for two million. But it is still there - and now it belongs to me. It is still only a violin. My wife and I would never sell it.
Question: As you look back today on the four months in bed?
Rieu: I had done too much before, I was overworked! And I am glad that the warning I got was only an imbalance - and not a heart attack.
Question: I hear now more what my children say to me. They say I look good, and I have become calmer.
Winston Churchill said
WE MAKE A LIVING BY WHAT WE GET
WE MAKE A LIFE BY WHAT WE GIVE
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This is a great article Prudence. Thank you. Andre was correct when he said he was lucky it was an imbalance and not a heart attack. He was in the right category for one because I know how my sister's husband was right before his attack. Thank God it was not that. Now he can learn from this and get his proper rest, eat healthy and he will live to be 120!!! Hugs
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YES DEAR ANDRE', HAD A WARNING AND THANK GOD IT WASNOT A HEART ATTACK. I KNOW NOW ANDRE, WILL TAKE STEPS TO REST AND TAKE MORE TIME TO RELAX AND NOT WORK AS HARD AS HE HAS.HE WILL LIVE TILL HE IS 120 YEARS OLD AND BE MAKING MUSIC FOR US FOR YEARS TO COME.
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I have never been so thrilled with any artist as I am with you! I do not know if I will ever get to see you again, but you and your orchestra are absolutely wonderful! I hope you can take life a little slower, and for all you give your family and all you have given the World, I thank God that I have had the privilege to experience the Marvelous music you let us enjoy!THANK YOU ANDRE!
And best wishes for continued good health! Sincerely, Marilyn Sedo Pahl
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I have just watched another repeat of thr concert filmed in Heidelburg and again it took my breath away. Thank you Andre for giving so much but now please take. Take a break to get 100% well, take as much strength as you can from your family, friends and fans.My health is not good and I take from your incredible music, please take from me my determination to carry on in as much good health as possible and one day maybe we will meet and both be well and strong. God Bless you and keep you safe, you are much loved and much needed.
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Lovely photos Of Oh such a Lovely Man it is sooooooo good to see Him out & about,It must have been an awful time for Andre' & all His People,, I know it was an awful time for me;
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I am so pleased to hear that Andre is feeling so much better, but I hope that in the future he will look after himself and his JSO by taking things a little easier....."All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" so the old saying goes and it has been proved over and over again.
We love Andre's music and look forward to his concerts but time for a rest every now and then is essential, so we may see less of him but we will know he is looking after himself in the days , months and Years ahead.
Warmest wishes to Andre, his family and the JSO
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I wish ANDRE CONTINUING GOOD HEALTH AND TO HIS WIFE AND FAMILY AND THE MEMBERS OF THE JSO WE IN OUR GROUP CONTINUE TO ENJOY YOUR DVDS,OLD AND NEW AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE ADELAIDE CONCERTS MAY THE GOOD LORD KEEP YOU SAFR
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I am so sorry to hear of Andre's illness.He brings so much pleasure to so many people.Good luck to Andre' and his family I send blessings in abundance
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Just watched Andre and JSO perform "Roses from the South" live outside ITV television studios at Gabriel's Lock in river Thames, London.
Andre looked very happy and smiley as usual.Hope my CD of Moonlight serenade arrives soon!
Did any of you fans in London manage to get to see him?It was a very cold and frosty morning but the sun came out for Andre!Don't forget to watch Alan Titchmarsh again on Friday.Hope Andre gets to chat this time.
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My CD/DVD of Moonlight serenade arrived at last today (from Amazon),I have just watched and enjoyed the DVD Live in Australia.I had seen some of it before as channel 5 showed part of it earlier this year. I hope it will soon get to No1 in the ClassicFM chart.I will be listening on Saturday morning as usual.
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Dear Andre, Celine Dion said of Andreas Bocelli "If God could sing, he would be called Andreas Bocelli" - I say "if God could play the Violin - he would be called Andre Rieu"!! You are a truly wonderful man with a magical talent and a truly loving heart - the love flows through you and into your violin. I have just lost my partner with two brain tumours and he had been a very handsome and virile man and was only 65. I was devastated when he passed, but your music has lifted me through the darkness and brought sunshine into my life again. Thank you so much and may God bless you always. Much love to you and yours. Vivienne XX
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Vivienne. I felt so touched when I read this.It is just so wonderful what Andre does for us with his music and the wonderful way he connects with us all.I am so so sorry for your sad loss and so glad that Andre is helping you . He truly is a ray of sunshine on a dark day Where would we all be without this wonderful man and his music. xx
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Thank you Josephine for your kind words. As they say If God doesnt come he sends and he sent me the music of Andre Rieu - Long may he continue and I hope one day to see him in London and sing and clap along with all the rest of his adoring followers. Love Vivienne XX
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Love you André, glad you are healthy again. God bless! ♫
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me gustó mucho
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So wonderful that our dear Andre is feeling so much better. But he has, alas, to realise he has passed 60 and in spite of all evidence to the contrary, is not superhuman. Much too precious to take risks with his health, we shall enjoy his recordings, dvds, and perhaps fewer concerts. For those who missed him on ITV, here is the link :
Thank you Janis!
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dear andre,im so pleased you are well again,the world would be a lesser place without you,your music helped me at a very bad time in my life,and i thank you for that,take good care of yourself we need you in our lives,i cannot express into words how i feel after i have watched one of your dvd"s,my heart sings,ive just got my ticket for the men arena manchester im thrilled,look forward to seeing you in april. love carol xxx
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Just a further reminder to UK viewers.. CHANNEL 5 Sunday 1125 LIVE IN CONCERT, does not give any more details at the mo.
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Great to hear Andre has recovered.
He did the wise thing to get his health
back. We hope he comes to USA 2011.
I saw him in Detroit 2010 and hope to
see him there in 2011
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Please live for your family first then JSO. At 83 and 2 years widowed, I spend each day listening to some 16 of your dvds. A good reason to get up each morning. Live long and prosper!
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I'am so very happy Andre is feeling better, although on his interview in Mexico he did look tired, i hope he gets lots of rest while he is on tour. His last stop is at The Air Canada Centre in Toronto which i will be attending. I am sure Marjorie will be glad when he is back home again, until then Pierre take good care of your father which i am sure you will do as we know how much you love him. Love to you all. Barbara Gilliss Waterdown Ontario Canada.
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I have just watched for the first time Andre's Moonlight Serenade. Fantastic,
I could not believe the critism that has been aimed at Andre. When I saw so much happiness in the audience.
Good Luck mate and keep going I hope to see you in Birmingham UK God willing in 2011!
And keep bringing the ordinary people to the Classics's there is more of us than them
Best Wishes
Paul
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