André Rieu

André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu born 1 October 1949 is a Dutch violinist and conductor best known for creating the waltzplaying Johann Strauss Orchestra Rieu and his orchestra have turned classical and waltz music into a worldwide concert touring act He resides in his native Maastricht The name Rieu is of French Huguenot origin though both of Rieus parents were Roman Catholic André was born to Andries Antonie Rieu and is the third of six children Rieus father was conductor of the Maastricht Symphony Orchestra Showing early promise André began studying violin at the age of five From a very early age he developed a fascination with orchestra He studied violin at the Conservatoire Royal in Liège and at the Conservatorium Maastricht 19681973 studying under Jo Juda and Herman Krebbers From 1974 to 1977 he attended the Music Academy in Brussels studying with André Gertler He completed his training with the distinction Premier Prix from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels He married Marjorie Kochmann in 1975 She has been a language teacher and has written compositions They have two sons He speaks six languages Dutch English German French Italian and Spanish Rieu created the Johann Strauss Orchestra in 1987 and began with 12 members giving its first concert on 1 January 1988 As of 2020 he performs with between 50 and 60 musicians Rieu plays a 1667 Stradivarius violin Rieu and his orchestra have appeared throughout Europe North and South America Japan and Australia In 2008 Rieus tour featured a fullsize reproduction of Empress Sisis Castle the biggest stage to have gone on tour at that time For two weeks in 2013 one of the channels of the BSkyB group Sky Arts 2 in the UK was renamed as Sky Arts Rieu Between 30 March and 14 April 2013 Sky Arts Rieu broadcast Rieu concerts and documentaries 24 hours per day Rieu also composed music for the 2014 film Tuscan Wedding Source Article André Rieu from Wikipedia in English licensed under CCBYSA 30