November 19, 2022. Chapeau Magazine, Column by Jo Cortenraedt. Translation by Ineke/John. Fitness battle for musicians on tour. It seems so nice, to travel around the world while playing music. Of course it is, because you can make music in all kinds of countries for a usually appreciative audience. But it's not just all glamour and fun, as I noticed again this week, when I was in Vienna for a few days with André Rieu and his entire entourage. It is very difficult to move as a musician from country to country, from city to city, even though the care is still so good. The Maastricht orchestra leader and his orchestra, plus a lot of employees around who you don't see on stage, who have been repeating concerts all year, which were previously on the agenda but were canceled due to corona. That's catching up. This fall, the entire company flew to South America for performances in Chile and Uruguay, among others. There are still a few flights to be made on that continent, due to the large distances involved. And for weeks all kinds of cities in Europe have been treated, and these days including Bratislava and Skopje. Since at every airport one has to go through the entire ceremony of checking-in, security and especially waiting, a lot of time passes for everything but creative matters. Then by bus to the hotel, then by bus to the relevant music hall, eat together and then wait again until you can start performing. And the next day you go on again. You're away from home for a few weeks, always on the move. Of course, those musicians do it all for their profession and making music for an enthusiastic audience, which gives more energy than such an Austrian drink. And during the day, with a bit of luck, you can visit special places in the city in question. You are then a world traveler in optima forma. But still, the jet lag, the hanging around, the waiting, it takes its toll. That applies to all those big orchestras, in whatever genre. Whether it's, for example, the Vienna Philharmonic (most recently touring Asia for almost three weeks), the Royal Dutch Concertgebouw Orchestra, or the Rolling Stones, and everything in between. It all seems like a lot of fun and it is, but it's also grueling. It is not surprising that André Rieu brings along his personal trainer who works with him every day to maintain his physical fitness. And Mick Jagger also does everything to stay fit. Just try to stand and jump on stage for about three hours, almost every night!! Especially at that age, that is very cleaver. But also many younger musicians do a lot of sports, they are right in that aspect. So I have a lot of respect for these traveling artists who show their musical skills all over the world. If they didn't, many unforgettable moments could not be experienced. Many millions of people are provided a fantastic evening. Most also build in rest breaks to stay in balance, otherwise they won't survive. One swears by a daily siesta, the other regularly takes a week off to recharge the battery. There are, of course, those who do not take a rest in the euphoria of the life force. But it's like an electric car. It drives fantastic, but if you don't regularly charge it, you come to a complete standstill. Fans have the idea that it is always a party for those musicians. And the neighbors think they're going "on vacation" when they go on tour. But in reality it is mostly hard work. With a very nice result and an incredible amount of satisfaction, that is true.