Andre Rieu tonight @ 7:30 in Winnipeg, Manitoba

André Rieu is a Dutch violinist virtuoso and conductor of the JohannStrauss Orchestra. He was born in Maastricht, Holland in 1950 into avery musical family. His father was a conductor, and most of hisbrothers and sisters are professional musicians.

To overcome shyness onstage during his early career, and to remove theemotional distance between himself and his audience, he adopted theexample of Johann Strauss, who would create a festive atmosphere athis performances and encourage his audiences to enjoy the music bygetting out of their seats and waltzing in the aisles. This was wellreceived, and Rieu assembled a group of local Dutch musicians,creating the Johann Strauss Orchestra.

In 1994, he released his first album “Strauss & Co”. It was releasedas popular music, and did very well on the Dutch and German charts. In1996 Rieu toured throughout Europe, gaining additional fans inGermany, France and Austria. A new album, From Holland With Love,released that year, held the number one position on the Dutch chartsfor over a year.

His appeal is widespread and his fans are legion:"Rieu's live concerts attract a spectrum of fans, typically ranging inage from 16 to 65 years old. Members of the audience can be seen inany manner of attire, from formal black tie, to T-shirt and tennisshoes. Rieu himself dresses in tails and wears his hair long. TheJohann Strauss Orchestra, also dress elegantly, appear to enjoy everymoment of each performance. Rieu's warm demeanor habitually sets theaudience to tapping its collective feet, if not dancing in the aislesoutright. Rieu is not himself a dancer; he does not waltz and prefersit that way. Regardless he captured and held the interest of themainstream public with his classical music repertoire, a feataccomplished by only a very few artists. Rieu's phenomenal success isnot an accident; he is considered an excellent conductor, a talentedviolinist, and a great showman."

Gracenote (CDDB), the largest online database of music information,lists the following 30 albums for Rieu:

Andre Rieu / Romantic Moments
Andre Rieu / The Vienna I Love
Andre Rieu / André Rieu - Straus & Co
Andre Rieu / In Concert
Andre Rieu / The Christmas I Love
Andre Rieu & Johann Strauss Orchestra / Strauss Gala! - André Rieu
Andre Rieu & sein Johann Strauss Orchester / Rosen aus dem Sueden
Andre Rieu / Love Around The Word
Andre Rieu / Bal de Vienne
Andre Rieu / Live Gala Evening
Andre Rieu / King Of The Waltz
Andre Rieu / Dreaming
Andre Rieu / d'n Blauwen Aovond
Andre Rieu / Great Waltzes: Roses From The South - André Rieu
Andre Rieu / Fiesta
Andre Rieu / Ein Strauß-FestivalVerschiedene U. A.
Andre Rieu / Juwelen Und Kostbarkeiten
Andre Rieu / Hieringe Biete (Disc 2)
Andre Rieu / Wiener Bonbons
Andre Rieu / André Rieu - Gala Evening (Disc 1 Of 2)
Andre Rieu / André Rieu - Valses
Andre Rieu / Das Walzer-Paradies (Disc 3)
Andre Rieu / The Collection
Andre Rieu / Doppel Gold
Andre Rieu / ANDRE RIEU NO 2
Andre Rieu / Król Walca
Andre Rieu / Jazz Suite Waltz Nr. 2
Andre Rieu / Das Jahrtausend Fest
Andre Rieu / Strauss Gala!
Andre Rieu / Heartstrings