Andre Rieu Seeks Aussie Superstars
The Seekers joined Andre Rieu at his castle in Holland last week and spoke exclusively to The Sunday Telegraph. Source: Supplied
AN offer too good to refuse from Dutch superstar violinist Andre Rieu has reunited Australia's first super group. Seven years after their last gig, The Seekers will tour Australia with Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra next month.
"We were not trying to rekindle something, we'd all put it to rest and we were all looking forward to our lives as individuals," The Seekers' Judith Durham tells The Sunday Telegraph in a break from rehearsals.
"This is so special and so pleasurable - without a doubt it was the uniqueness of working with Andre and the orchestra that brought us back together."
Rieu was to bring his Celebration of Music Tour to Australia, as well as the UK and other parts of the world, last October but was forced to postpone the arena shows when he suddenly and unexpectedly became ill.
With a viral infection of his vestibular nerve, the busy musician was uncomfortably bedridden. It was a life-changing experience for the usually very active performer. "I've never had anything like it in my whole life," Rieu says.
"It taught me to prioritise. It taught me that I am a normal guy like everybody else. I did too many things for other people so I have to learn to say no and I am very bad at that."
Rieu's rescheduled Australian tour kicks off with two shows at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on May 3, followed by Melbourne (Rod Laver Arena), Sydney's Acer Arena, Newcastle Entertainment Centre and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
With his 60-strong Johann Strauss Orchestra and The Seekers, he plays Sydney over two nights on May 13 and 14.
"My biggest fan base would have to be Australia," the violinist, composer and con- ductor says.
"The truth is everywhere is the same but Australians I like because they are very down to earth. We Dutch men, we have the same thing. That's what clicks very much between us."
Last year Rieu sold more concert tickets than any other male artist internationally. His album sales top 30 million.
I've just been looking at my tickets for 13th May and there is a notice saying "No photography" - seems a shame. I wonder if they'll enforce it?
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Hi Jill, we have experienced that before and we just put the camera in Clyde's suit pocket. I don't know if John is going with you or not but if not you can put it in your tote bag in the bottom under your concert scarf. They usually don't spend much time inspecting bags. Another thing you can do is put it over your shoulder UNDER your blouse or dress then slip it down when you get in. This is extreme I know but these are extreme times which call for extreme measures : ) There is no way I would go to an Andre concert without a camera even if it had to be a tiny point and shoot. Hugs
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Extreme indeed Jeanine Ann. We girls have to get out priorities right!
I'm going with two girlfriends. John will be still having treatment and might be a bit worn by then, although there's no sign of that yet. I'm more sure every day that it's all the prayers keeping him so well. He loves telling people about the messages he's received from all the people on the guestbook.
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Hi Jeanine Ann,
Thank you for this lovely article and the video - what JOY for the Australians to see Andre AND The Seekers! I am SOOOO sad, though, because I thought we in South Africa were his biggest fans !!!! Ha Ha!!
Lots of hugs
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What does that Aussie add say "When your on a good thing stick to it" who better Than Andre' Rieu His JSO Stars & Company, we appreciate QUALITY, SINCERITY, HONESTY,& BEAUTIFUL MUSIC, & A BEAUTIFUL MAN WHO Encourages An Old Violin to talk;
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Hello again, Jeanine Ann,
I have just heard the song that Jill of the Seekers wrote for Andre and it is soooo beautiful - the words just give you goosebumps because they epitomise what we, as Andre's devoted fans, feel about him and his beautiful music - perhaps you could post it on this site for everyone to listen to? Hope he will include it on one of his new C.D's/DVD's! Hugs and many thanks again.
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Thanks to Fay letting me know it was on I've just watched Andre rehearsing with The Seekers on The Today Show. Andre looks very well and happy, so do The Seekers. It's going to be a great show. Roll on 13th May!
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Adoro ouvir tocar Andre Rieu no seu violino e a sua orquesta com toda a sua alegria e entusiasmo.
Tenho muitos cd´s e dvd´s dele, só que têm muitos temas repetidos.
Andre podia produzir mais cd´s só com musicas de violino, tipo "You´ll Never Walk Alone" ou "Romantic Paradise".
Espero não ofender o Andre Rieu, mas é a minha opinião.
Continue a ter muito sucesso.
Beijos, Paula
Portuguese to English translation
I have many CDs and DVDs of it , they just have many repeating themes .
Andre could only produce more CDs with music from the violin , like " You'll Never Walk Alone " or " Romantic Paradise . "
I hope not to offend the Andre Rieu , but it's my opinion .
Continue to be very successful.
Kisses , Paula
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