Andre Rieu to bring his orchestra to Sydney for Christmas concerts
THE irrepressible Andre Rieu, the Dutchman they call the King of the Waltz and who lives in a castle, is on his way to Sydney for Christmas.
THE irrepressible Andre Rieu, the Dutchman they call the King of Waltz, is on his way to Sydney for Christmas. Not for Christmas Day, mind.
“People have offered me a lot of money to perform concerts during Christmas, but I have always declined,” Rieu tells Insider.
“I want to be home for Christmas.”
Before that big day though fans of Rieu can catch him on the Christmas With Andre tour, which will take the maestro to two different venues for two different kinds of concerts.
On November 20 he will perform with his orchestra in the opulent setting of the Sydney Town Hall. This concert will be filmed for upcoming cinema, television and CD release.
And on November 20 and 21, he will be at the ICC Theatre, Darling Harbour — a venue more suited to doing what Rieu’s fans seem compelled to do, which is leap to their feet and start dancing.
At both venues, Rieu will be joined by his Johann Strauss Orchestra, made up of 60 musicians, as well as soloists and a chorus to help him produce the kind of concerts that, worldwide, draw more than 600,000 audience members a year.
So, while the maestro will be back home in Maastricht, Netherlands, when Santa arrives, at least he’ll be in Sydney to get everyone in the mood for Christmas.
What to expect? Certainly not a conservative rendition of the classics that has to be sat through in total silence.
Rieu’s style is much more audience friendly.
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Expect banter and interaction, wit, and Rieu’s famously flamboyant style of playing his beautiful, 1732 Stradivarius violin.
“It is very passionate and has a warm sound. It reminds me a bit of the opera singer Maria Callas,” he says.
Rieu has been touring Australia for more than 10 years, but this is the first Christmas tour he has done here.
The ICC Theatre concerts promise to be big and extravagant.
“It will be a wonderful mix of the most beautiful Christmas tunes and romantic melodies, but of course also waltzes by Johann Strauss, arias from famous musicals and operas, and local favourites,” Rieu says.
Conversely, the Town Hall concert will be more intimate.
“The Town Hall concert will have a very different program,” he says.
“It is a New Year’s Concert and also very festive. The concert will be recorded for cinema and television. Those who can’t make it to the concert can watch it in cinemas across Australia on December 15 and 16.”
No doubt Rieu’s concerts in the Harbour City will reflect his love of the Christmas season.
“Christmas means a lot to me,” he says.
“Throughout the year I tour around the world with my big family. I call my orchestra members that affectionately, because many of them have been with me for more than 20 years and on tour we share our joys and sorrows.”
Rieu traditionally performs in the UK in December, but is always home for the big day.
“It’s time to celebrate Christmas with my small family — my wife Marjorie, my sons Marc and Pierre and their wives and of course the five grandchildren,” he says.
“When our sons were still small, Marjorie and I gave them a cookbook. The first meal they cooked was water with tomatoes. Of course we loved it!
“Since then it has become a tradition that Marc and Pierre prepare a delicious dinner.
“This year’s menu will be a surprise, but I am sure it won’t be water with tomatoes again. At least I hope so.
“The family gathers around the Christmas tree, there is a fire burning and hopefully snow will fall. Then we take a walk outside — all these are the ingredients for a fantastic family Christmas.”
* Christmas With Andre, Sydney Town Hall, November 20; ICC Theatre, Darling Harbour, November 21-22, from $199, andrerieu.com
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