André Rieu: The Waltz king is 75 - a musical life!

André Rieu: The Waltz king is 75 - a musical life!

André Rieu, widely known as the Waltz king, celebrates its 75th birthday on October 1st. With his stradivari and the enchanting sound he produces, the Maestro has been captivating the audience for almost four decades. His melodies make people dream, if only for a short moment.

"I don't have to calm down. I will be 140 years old and am therefore only halfway," he told the German Press Agency. This is a clear announcement that shows that Rieu continues to love the spotlight and music. The talented musician recently successfully completed a tour in South America and is planning a big birthday tour in Germany with ten concerts from Hamburg to Munich for the coming year.

The Magic of Music

The summer concerts on the Vrijthof in Maastricht are legendary. In the middle of thousands of lights and dancing couples, Rieu puts the audience into a "champagne mood". When the waltz sounds, not only his music blooms, but also the joy of the audience. "Waltz is not very valued in classical music," he emphasizes. "He is too light, has too much humor." Nevertheless, it is anything but easy to play him masterfully, and Rieu has faced this challenge with flying colors. Often the audience does not stay on the chairs and dares to dance in the corridors.

The roots of his love for music go back to his childhood. His father, a strict conductor, familiarized his son with Johann Strauss's Danube waltz, which created an informal atmosphere that made the audience smile.

from childhood to a career

Nevertheless, Rieu had a difficult childhood that was characterized by high expectations. Despite these challenges, his passion for music did not let go of him. He created his own unique musical identity that does not follow the rigid rules of his parents. "I don't want to conduct down the stage," explains Rieu. "Contact with the audience is important to me." Together with his wife Marjorie, who is an important support in his life, Rieu healed old wounds and redefined.

rieu and Marjorie have been married for 50 years and have two adult sons. He sees her family as the basis of his life. They live stylishly in a 15th century castle in Maastricht, where D’Artagnan is said to have lived from the three musketers.

Despite its roots in classical music, Rieus repertoire has expanded. Today it not only includes waltzes, but also operas, musicals and pop music. When asked about his music favorite, he enthusiastically calls Queen and Bruce Springsteen.

rieu also combines a special relationship with Germany, which is reinforced by his wife Marjorie, who used to be a German teacher. "She still improves my German," he notices with a smile. After so many years, Germany almost feels like a second home for him. On stage he also shows his linguistic skills by chatting with his audience in several languages.

The Maestro always causes surprises. In 2023, 15-year-old Emma Kok, a talented singer, was brought to the stage. This moment became the springboard of her career, which once again shows Rieu's committed approach to promote new talents.

with spraying enthusiasm and a deep love of music, André Rieu remains a real icon. He knows how to touch people with his melodies and brings a touch of glamor and paired with musical skills on the stages of the world.

For more information about the impressive career and the future plans of the King of the Waltz, See the report on the report www.onetz.de .