Violin master André Rieu, one of the best-selling live acts in the world, is delighted to announce he is returning to Australia and New Zealand with a brand new show in October 2013. Called “And The Waltz Goes On Tour”, the tour is named after his successful album on which he collaborated with Sir Anthony Hopkins. Rieu will perform in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Auckland. Tickets for his Australian and New Zealand tour go on sale on November 9th, 2012.
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“Billboard ranked his 2011 tour as the 9th highest grossing tour of the year, just behind Lady Gaga and has broken all classical concert records, packing stadiums with over 700,000 adoring fans each year.”
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Billboard ranked his 2011 tour as the 9th highest grossing tour of the year, just behind Lady Gaga. He has broken all classical concert records, packing stadiums and arenas with more than 700,000 adoring fans each year. Rieu has sold over 32 million albums globally and received 243 platinum awards for his albums. With his natural charisma, Rieu conducts his 60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra and plays his 1732 Stradivarius violin to create a celebratory atmosphere.
“Every night when I play around the whole world, I see with my own eyes what the waltz does with the audience. People get out of their seats and waltz in the aisles spontaneously. They sing, they smile and for a moment they forget all their worries and are happy. That is why this tour is an ode to the waltz!” says André Rieu.
As always, the maestro and his orchestra will perform beautiful waltzes on this tour, but the concerts are much more than that. From famous Viennese operettas to film scores, spirituals to musicals, and from folk songs to marches; Rieu’s concerts are a perfect mix of thrilling, romantic, festive and emotional melodies combined with surprises, balloons, beautiful soloists and of course Rieu’s great sense of humor.
So far, 2012 has been a hugely successful year for the violinist. Rieu gave a record breaking series of 30 sold-out concerts in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He won a Classic BRIT award for his album “And The Waltz Goes On” and is nominated for a prestigious Mexican Luna award. With his first tour in Brazil Rieu reached the #1 position in Pollstar’s Box Office Chart of highest grossing tours in July. Leaving behind artist like Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, Radiohead, Coldplay, Celine Dion, The Black Keys and Pearl Jam.
A brand new CD – “December Lights”- and DVD – “Home for Christmas”- is about to be released by Rieu, just in time for Christmas. Both were recorded at André’s home, a romantic medieval castle in the Dutch town of Maastricht. Together with his Johann Strauss Orchestra, soloists and choir, André Rieu performs 26 classics in his snowy, beautiful decorated garden and in the Saint Pieter Church which is across the street from his home. The reportoire ranges from traditional Christmas pieces to emotional ballads. The DVD provides a very personal insight and in front of his fireplace, Rieu tells a Christmas tale and explains to the viewer how he celebrates Christmas with his loved ones and shares his own personal thoughts about this special time of the year. With the “December Lights” CD and “Home for Christmas” DVD, Rieu’s romantic celebration of Christmas is just what you need to get into the festive season spirit, and is a wonderful gift idea for anyone who loves music and celebration.
André Rieu “And The Waltz Goes On” Australian and New Zealand 2013
October 12, 2013 Brisbane Brisbane Entertainment Centre
October 16, 2013 Sydney Allphones Arena
October 19, 2013 Melbourne Rod Laver Arena
October 23, 2013 Adelaide Adelaide Entertainment Centre
October 25, 2013 Auckland, NZ Vector Arena
October 29, 2013 Perth Perth Arena
Australia
Tickets go on sale on November 9th. Tickets for the Australian concerts available from Ticketek Australia (www.ticketek.com.au or Ph:132 849)
New Zealand
Tickets go on sale on November 9th. Tickets for the New Zealand concert (in Auckland) available from Ticketmaster New Zealand (www.ticketmaster.co.nz or Ph: (09) 970 9700)