Andre Rieu's Butterfly Room
Champion's trophies: Stirling Moss in his study surrounded by his favourite motoring memorabilia, including his Roary The Racing car braces and a Charles Eames chair
Andre Rieu
1 UTTERLY BUTTERFLY
I enjoy the warm, humid atmosphere of my orangery, which I designed with an architect. I keep ten different species of butterflies here. The cocoons come from Nicaragua, and I love them because they are so beautiful – my favourites are the big blue ones. They live for about three weeks – they live only to die. I’ve always loved animals and conservation.
Exotic: Andre Rieu enjoys the warm, humid atmosphere of his orangery, where he keeps ten different species of butterflies
2 STRAUSS PROUD
Where would I be without Johann Strauss’s beautiful Blue Danube? Without this piece of music I wouldn’t be the man I am today. It’s a tune that brings out the emotion in everyone and makes them want to waltz. The Prime Minister of Austria even gave me a decoration for being an ambassador for Strauss and Austrian music.
Exotic: Andre Rieu enjoys the warm, humid atmosphere of his orangery, where he keeps ten different species of butterflies
3 GIFT WRAP
Anthony Hopkins bought me this navy Hermès scarf with tiny pink emblems to match the pink jacket I was wearing when we met last year. It was very emotional meeting him, we really clicked. Later he sent me a waltz he’d written 50 years ago. He’s been writing music all his life but kept it quiet after Richard Burton told him he should be an actor not a musician.
Exotic: Andre Rieu enjoys the warm, humid atmosphere of his orangery, where he keeps ten different species of butterflies
4 HEART STRINGS
These books have pictures of all the Stradivarius violins ever made. This is my Stradivarius, made in 1732 (which I’m also holding here). I’m very close to it, but even though it cost £2.6 million, it is not worth as much to me as my first violin, which is irreplaceable for its beautiful lonesome sound yet only cost my father £4,000 in 1954.
Andre Rieu
5 MY TWIN SET
When my twin grandchildren, Linda and Lyeke, were born two years ago, it changed me. I felt it was the essence of what life is about, and I cried all day. When my son Pierre, their father, was born I didn’t cry like that. As the violin is part of my life and body I wanted a picture of them in my violin case as if they are cradled in my arms. Now I carry the picture in the case.
Exotic: Andre Rieu enjoys the warm, humid atmosphere of his orangery, where he keeps ten different species of butterflies
6 GO DUTCH
This is a special cake made of strawberries, cream, pastry and magnificent marzipan local to my home town that I like to welcome people with. I was a fat child and loved cake, perhaps because it was the only sweet thing in my life. I was the black sheep of the family, and my mother never really understood me. She says she got a hernia carrying me as a child.
Oh dear how could any ordinary Mother, no matter how loving understand a boy who's head was full of dreams, who when doing His scales could imagine Himself floating on a cloud far away, also a boy on His way to school who was so intrigued by earth moving machines that He sat & watched all day, until the children coming home asked what had He done all day, no wonder His Mum did'nt understand Him, I love Him dearly & I believe the Genius within so great that He passes understanding, the Dreamer, The Man, The Music, The Entertainer, The Giver of all, He makes life worth living;
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Oh PLEASE, Somebody, tell me where to find the recipe for this delicious looking cake
I would love to try to make it!
Lovely post - thank you
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Hi Fay, I understand everything you say and you might as well be talking about me or a few more of us on this blog, My mother didnt understand me and called me a dreamer so did my father,and I am pleased that Andrelike a Pheonix has rose from the ashes and makes such a difference to so many lives, he had the courage to follow his dreams and succeeded. luv and hugs
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I'm not sure what to think of his Mum
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If Andres mum didnt understand him we all make up for that! Dear Andre made me reach for the stars and fulfill my dream.... to play the violin. I love him forever for the inspiration and what music has done for my life.
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How can any Mother say such a thing to her child!!?? Maybe that is the reason why André sometimes has a sadness in his eyes!!?? His mother was not always that bad, she also once told him: " You've got good hands-you can play the violin."
Although André owns a castle, he doesn't live in it. "The castle is my office and I live next door in a very ordinary house", André Rieu. None of his sons play the violin. Apparently Pierre broke his violin on Marc's head and that was the end of their violin career!
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Interesting article and story. Butterflies, don't you just love butterflies? It seems that Andre brings out the most beautiful, romantic things in life...he brings music to life...he brings people to life with his music and his soft soul.
I could just love that cake! The ingredients are among my favorite things.
I cannot imagine that Andre was the black sheep...he must have accepted that tag as a challenge for his life and now we have this incredible maestro who brings out the best in everyone who truly listens to him and his music.
Thank you Andre Rieu for defying a "title" and making the world a better place, for making beautiful music a part of that world.
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It makes me feel so sad when Andre says his mother called him the black sheep and didn't understand him. He proved her wrong though didn't he. He turned into a beautiful butterfly who has had a magical butterfly effect on the world. He flapped his gentle heavenly wings in Maastricht and send an intoxicating ripple of love romance and magic to every corner of the globe. He is adored by millions
Thankyou Andre for bringing your magic to me
Lots of love
Josephine
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