Andre Rieu Has Classical Music Fans Dancing In Aisles
Andre Rieu has classical music fans dancing in aisles
By MARK QUIRK
New Hampshire Union Leader
Published Nov 24, 2011 at 12:00 pm (Updated Nov 24, 2011)
STAR STATUS: Andre Rieu, the classical world’s charismatic star, will conduct his 60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra at the Verizon Wireless Arena in downtown Manchester on Friday, Nov. 25. Rieu is one of the best-selling live acts in the world. He was ranked as the top male performer of 2009, earned one of the top-grossing tours of 2010 and has sold more than 30 million albums globally.
Move over Lawrence Welk, there's a new sheriff in town and his name is Andre Rieu.
For years, Welk and his band had Americans waltzing in their living rooms during their popular television show. Now it's Rieu who has audiences dancing in the aisles of his shows, one of which he will be performing Friday, Nov. 25, at Verizon Wireless Arena in downtown Manchester.
Rieu has been refining his art for years, and now the Dutch violinist is a world-renowned musician best known for creating the waltz-playing Johann Strauss Orchestra.
“A waltz is a mirror of life; it is full of joy but also full of melancholy,” Rieu said. “The art is to play it the right way.”
A master at finding that musical balance, Rieu has released more than 40 albums and has been honored in several countries around Europe for his contributions to music, something that has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember.
“My father was a conductor and as a little boy I used to sit in the audience and watch his concerts,” Rieu said. “During the encores, it always surprised me that as soon as the orchestra started playing waltzes, everybody started swaying. From then on, I knew I wanted to create my own orchestra and play a lot of waltzes.”
One of Rieu's goals is to make classical music accessible and enjoyable to everyone, so people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy what he does. He has built his own recording studio so he can put his own twist on some of the classics.
Rieu also tries to make his shows intimate. He interacts with the audience and wants them to feel like they are part of the show.
“I like to talk to my audience, interact with them, look them ion the eyes,” Rieu said. “People can expect a colorful concert with beautiful melodies, waltzes, surprises, the Platin Tenors and out lovely sopranos from South Africa and Australia.”
Tickets to Rieu's 8 p.m. show Friday range in price from $47 to $141 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com or verizonwirelessarena. com or by calling (800) 745-3000.
Posted by Moderator Jeanine Ann at November 25, 2011 
Categories: ANDRE RIEU, 2011 Concerts, Articles-Interviews
Categories: ANDRE RIEU, 2011 Concerts, Articles-Interviews
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