André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu, a renowned Dutch violinist and conductor, was born on October 1, 1949. He is best known for establishing the Johann Strauss Orchestra, which has transformed classical and waltz music into a global concert touring phenomenon.
Rieu resides in his hometown of Maastricht, where his family has a long history. His parents, Andries Antonie Rieu and an unknown mother, were both Roman Catholic. André is the third of six siblings, and his father, a conductor of the Maastricht Symphony Orchestra, played a significant role in his early musical development.
Rieu began studying violin at the tender age of five, demonstrating an innate talent for music. He continued his education at the Conservatoire Royal in Liège and the Conservatorium Maastricht, where he was mentored by Jo Juda and Herman Krebbers.
In 1974, Rieu attended the Music Academy in Brussels, studying under the renowned violinist André Gertler. He graduated with distinction, earning the prestigious "Premier Prix" from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels.
Rieu's personal life is marked by his marriage to Marjorie Kochmann, a language teacher and composer, in 1975. The couple has two sons and speaks six languages: Dutch, English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish.
In 1987, Rieu founded the Johann Strauss Orchestra, initially consisting of 12 members, and gave its first concert on January 1, 1988. Today, he performs with a troupe of 50 to 60 musicians. Rieu plays a 1667 Stradivarius violin, a testament to his dedication to his craft.
Throughout his career, Rieu has performed extensively throughout Europe, North and South America, Japan, and Australia. In 2008, his tour featured a full-scale replica of Empress Sisi's Castle, the largest stage to have gone on tour at that time.
Rieu's impact on the music world extends beyond his concerts. In 2013, the BSkyB group's Sky Arts 2 channel in the UK was temporarily renamed Sky Arts Rieu, broadcasting Rieu's concerts and documentaries 24 hours a day. He also composed music for the 2014 film Tuscan Wedding.
Rieu's remarkable journey is a testament to his passion, dedication, and innovative approach to classical music.
