André Rieus performances at the Vrijthof have been a fixed summer tradition for years. For many people, the concerts are unforgettable: whether it is their first time or umpteenth visit. Nu.nl-Lezers share their best memories of a night at Rieu in Maastricht.
Leon Deelen is not talking about the attraction of Rieu, who every year in a romantic decor performs several evenings with the Johann Strauss Orchestra founded by himself. It attracts visitors from home and abroad.
“What makes him so great is that he can convey classical music to everyone in a very light way. And that he gives everyone the opportunity to experience it in his or her way,” says Deelen.
For Deelen it is all about the overall picture of Rieus performances, which are a mix of waltzes, film music, opera numbers and musical hits. What started when a local gesture has become an international phenomenon. “The combination of the singing, the choice of music, the choir, the orchestra, André, the decoration: it ensures that everyone goes home enchanted.”
Evening music is sometimes more than just an outing
For some enthusiasts, the concerts have an emotional charge. “In 2019 I went to a concert for the first time with my mother,” says Tim van den Berg. “We thought it would be a fun and airy way to get acquainted with a real classic concert.”
When his mother became incurably ill, the family decided to buy tickets again for the 2023 edition. “The most beautiful song was the performance of Conquest of Paradise with a male choir of no fewer than 150 singers. It was phenomenal.”
A few weeks later, Van den Berg’s father died and shortly thereafter also his mother. “During both funerals we made Conquest of Paradise , in the performance of Rieu. The memories of the Vrijthof concerts still give my brother, my aunt and myself a lump in the throat. But certainly also a proud smile.”
The decoration and surprises also contribute to the unique atmosphere. The dress code is ‘Magic White’ every year and on the video images below you can see that many people adhere to that. Rieu regularly invites surprise artists during his shows. Often they remain secret until the last minute.
With previous editions these were André van Duin and Emma Kok, among others. Kok tours the world with Rieu. And last year a large fanfare appeared at the concert. Susanne Middel played in that fanfare. “We were allowed to participate in part of the concert with four hundred wind musicians,” she says. “We played for twelve thousand men every night. From the moment we came up until we walked again: it was all enjoyment.”
André Rieu plays Clavelitos Live in his home town of Maastricht
Magic is also in the small moments
Christel van Leeuwen accidentally ended up at a Rieu concert. “Even though I sat at the conservatory at the same time as André, I had never been to a concert,” she says. Rieu studied in Liège, Maastricht and Brussels. An American fan on a terrace heard her story and gave her three tickets spontaneously. “We had top places and it was great. The atmosphere, the music, the dancing and the artists. Absolutely an unforgettable evening.”
For many visitors, the atmosphere and mutual connection is at least as important as the music itself. Stef and Katinka Haazelager also notice this, who think back to a special moment during a dinner prior to the concert. “We sat at the table with a Belgian couple, whose woman’s birthday was that day,” they say.
The Belgian man tapped his glass and announced to the whole terrace that it was his wife’s birthday. “Song the whole terrace for a long time she will live . Tears rolled down her cheeks.” For Stef and Katinka, that typifies the magic of those evenings at Rieu. “You experience things like this. Everyone is friendly and kind for each other.”
André Rieu’s Performances on the Vrijthof Have Been a Summer Tradition for Years. For many people, the concerts are unforgettable: Whether it’s their first time or their umpteenth visit. NU.nl Readers Share Their Fondest Memories of an Evening With Rieu in Maastricht.
Leon Deelen Can’t Stop Talking About the Appeal of Rieu, Who performs Several Evenings Each Year in a Romantic Setting with the Johann Strauss Orchestra He founded himself. IT Attracts Visitors from Home and Abroad.
“What makes him so great is that can convey classical music to everyone in a very light way. And that he gives everyone the opportunity to experience it in their own way,” Says Deelen.
For Deelen, It’s all about the Total Picture at Rieu’s Performances, which are a mix of Waltzes, film Music, Opera Numbers and Musical Hits. What started as a local gesture has grown into an international phenomenon. “The Combination of the Singing, The Choice of Music, The Choir, The Orchestra, André, The Decorations: It Ensures That Everyone Goes Home Enchanted.”
An Evening of Music is Sometimes More Than Just A Night Out
For some Enthusiasts, The Concerts have an emotional charge. “In 2019, I get to a concert with my mother for the first time,” Says Tim van den Berg. “It seemed like a fun and light way to get acquainted with a real classical concert.”
When His Mother Became Terminally Ill, The Family Decided to Buy Tickets Again For The 2023 Edition. “The most beautiful song was the performance of conquest of paradise with a male choir of no less than 150 singers. It was Phenomenal.”
A few week later, Van den Berg’s Father died and shortly after that his mother. “Duration Both Funerals, we play Conquest of Paradise , in Rieu’s Performance. The Memories of the Vrijthof Concerts Still Brother’s, My Aunt’s and my own throat. But Certainly also a proud smile.”
The decorations and surprises also contribute to the unique atmosphere. The dress code is ‘Magic White’ Every year and the video images below that many people adhere to it strictly. Rieu Regularly Invites Surprise Artists Duration His Shows. They of remain secret until the last moment.
Previous Editions Included André van Duin and Emma Kok. Kok Tours the World With Rieu. And last year a large fanfare appeared at the concert. Susanne Middel Played in That Fanfare. “We were allowed to participate in a part of the concert with four hundred brass musicians,” She says. “We play for Twelve Thousand People Every night. From the moment we come on until we left again: it was all Enjoyment.”
André Rieu Plays Clavelitos Live in His Hometown of Maastricht
Magic also Lies in the Small Moments
Christel van Leeuwen ended up at a rieu concert by chance. “Just thought I was at the conservatory at the same time as André, I never had leg to a concert,” She says. Rieu Studied in Liège, Maastricht and Brussels. An American fan on a Terrace Heard Her Story and spontaneously Gave Her Three Tickets. “We had Top Seats and It was great. The Atmosphere, The Music, The Dancing and the Artists. Absolutely an Unforgettable Evening.”
The Atmosphere and Mutual Connection Are at Least as Important To Many Visitors As the Music Itelf. Stef and Katinka Haazelager also notice this, who remember a Special Moment Duration a dinner prior to the concert. “We were sitting at a table with a Belgian couple, whose wife was celebrating her birthday that day,” they say.
The Belgian Man Tapped His Glass and Announced To The Entire Terrace That It was his Wife’s Birthday. “The Whole Terrace Sang Happy Birthday . Tears Rolled Down Her Cheeks.” For Stef and Katinka, this Typifies the Magic of Those Evenings at Rieu. “You experience things like this. Everyone is friendly and nice to each other.”
