André Rieu – September 25, Bell Centre LiveEvents September 16, 2018 2713 André Rieu World Tour 2018 Waltzes, film scores, opera and musicals André Rieu is quite simply a musical phenomenon like no other. Known to millions around the world as the “King of the Waltz” André is also a true “King of Romance”, having sold a massive 40 million CDs and DVDs and notched 30 Nr. 1 chart positions worldwide. Along with his 60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra (the largest private orchestra in the world), André has created a global revival in waltz music, staging spectacular extravaganzas which are second to none. Having received over 480 Platinum Awards, three Classical Brit Awards for “Album of the Year” and billions of Youtube views, André is one of the biggest solo male touring artists in the world. Each year his passionate live shows attract more than 600 000 fans. “My concerts are about joy and love!“ says André Rieu.” We should make decisions in our lives with our hearts, not our heads. People often ask me ‘how do you choose your program?’ – the answer is: with my heart. I love Johann Strauss but I am also fascinated by Andrew Lloyd Webber or Bruce Springsteen. We should stop limiting ourselves with categories and boundaries – not just in terms of music but in our lives in general” – says André Rieu. On stage André’s incredible musical prowess, passion and charisma make for a magical spectacle. His romantic and fun concerts are the only ones where people regularly jump to their feet and dance in the aisles. It’s not uncommon to see devoted fans laughing, weeping, clapping, dancing and embracing when they listen to the beautiful waltzes, film scores, spirituals, musicals, folk songs and marches and André’s precious Stradivarius violin from 1732; his concerts are a perfect mix of thrilling, romantic, festive and emotional melodies combined with surprises, balloons, beautiful soloists and of course André’s great sense of humor. It’s all about emotions! “Even as a child, I was fascinated by the world of music. My father was a conductor, and I remember the huge orchestra and the wonderful sound it made, all those bows moving together – I thought it was fantastic. But even then I can remember being surprised at the sombre atmosphere during the concerts. Everybody looked so serious, you weren’t supposed to cough or laugh, even though the music seemed to me to radiate so much joy!” “You know that solemn atmosphere you find in the concert hall with classical music, and how it intimidates most people and keeps them away? With us, it is simply not there. My orchestra consists of young, enthusiastic musicians, who put their heart and soul into the music every evening when they play in our concerts. At one of our concerts you’ll see me and the orchestra, and the audience too, all having a lot of fun together. Swaying with the music, humming along, clapping, jumping up and down – it all happens! Every evening is a wonderful experience, and in my view there couldn’t be a greater pleasure for a musician.” “My dream is to make the whole of classical music accessible for everyone. To achieve that, I’ve had my own recording studio built, and we’re working hard to make new recordings of the classical repertoire.” For tickets and information: www.evenko.ca 514-790-2525 or 1-877-668-8269