June 6th 2024 Book; “75 years André Rieu”, THE story of the Maestro, by Tim Geurts, The Limburg Newspaper. André Rieu turns 75 this year. The book will be released at the end of June 2024, but you can pre-order it right now from the Limburger’s webshop: www.delimburger.nl/boeken . In July the book will be available in the book shops in Maastricht. The book is only available in Dutch language. All questions from fans about purchasing the book and its shipping can be addressed to: communicatie@mediahuislimburg.nl

André Rieu has grown into a true phenomenon over the past 45 years. An artist who can compete with the greatest artists on earth on almost all continents. Yet he prefers to return to Maastrich every year, where his Vrijthof concerts attract visitors from all over the world. Note Ineke: and the stories about these visitors from all over the world can be read in Ineke’s book “Music connects people”, click HERE. André Rieu turns 75 book Translation by John de Jong. André Rieu turns 75 this year, reason enough for 'De Limburger' to produce a book about the Maastricht phenomenon. The book tells the story of the 5-year-old Rieu's first violin lessons to the worldwide success he now has. The reader will notice that the road to success on almost all continents was not without its bumps. Rieu struggled with strict parents and was often said "no" by record companies and theater directors before his big breakthrough. Thanks in part to the unconditional support of his wife Marjorie, the violinist finally managed to make his big dream come true. Superfan In the book 75 years of André Rieu, the story of the maestro, quite a few people have their say. From current orchestra member Frank Steijns – who has been on stage with Rieu for decades – to his former manager Kerstin Cornelis or Rieu's 'discoverer' Math Schmeitz. Some interviewees know him personally, others work for him or have done so for years in the past. Journalist Tim Geurts also spoke with celebrities. With Ronald de Boer "about Rieu's big breakthrough at half-time of the Champions League match between Ajax and Bayern Munich in 1995" and with André van Duin "about his friendship with Rieu". The foreword to the book is written by superfan Hélène Hendriks (TV presenter). Behind the scenes Thanks to all these testimonies, the reader gets to know Rieu in all his facets. In addition, the book gives a look behind the scenes. Because what is it like to audition for new orchestra members? What happens during all those tours? And is Rieu really such a hard-nosed businessman? The book was written without the cooperation of the Rieu family. Not an insurmountable problem, because De Limburger had more than forty years of interviews on practically every conceivable subject with André, Marjorie and Pierre Rieu. Writer Tim Geurts about the book: "André Rieu has been the world's greatest artist in the Netherlands for decades. So I'm especially surprised that there hasn't been a real compilation book about Rieu before. Fortunately, there is now. Indispensable for the real fan, especially because of all those beautiful photos." The book will be available from the end of June, but can already be ordered in our web shop. You can pre-order it right now, on www.delimburger.nl/boeken (only available in Dutch language) Price: € 24,95 without mailing costs. Hard cover, Size 220 mm x 224 mm. 224 pages. At the end of June the book will be available in book stores.

Hélène Hendriks.

June 22, 2024. "De Limburger", by Wouter Nelissen. Translated by Ineke, edited by Alice Leung. From sofa bed to hairpiece; what revelations are there in the new book about André Rieu? This week the book '75 years of André Rieu' by journalist Tim Geurts was published. He spoke to dozens of people around the Maastricht violinist, both from within and outside his orchestra. "Fan is a big word, but I have now gained enormous admiration for him." “Is Rieu's hair real”? It is one of the most frequently asked questions about the orchestra leader, as stated in the book 75 years of André Rieu. But answering the question proves difficult, even for the author of the book: "It is very protected. The moment someone starts working on his hair, the doors close. I did try to talk to his hairdresser, but he doesn't give interviews." Secret Tim Geurts, journalist at De Limburger newspaper, has spoken to dozens of people around Rieu in recent months. In his book he describes Rieu on the basis of those conversations and on the basis of interviews that the violinist previously gave to De Limburger. It is about his youth, about his time with the Limburg Symphony Orchestra and the Maastricht Salon Orchestra, about his breakthrough with the Johan Strauss Orchestra and his current status as a world star. And, indeed, that includes hair. "That hair is one of Rieu's secrets. One of the ingredients in a cocktail that as a whole proves irresistible to millions of people around the world”. Admiration "Fan is a big word," says Geurts, when asked how he himself views Rieu. "But I have gained enormous admiration for him. If you write such a book and talk to all those people about the 45 years he has been working, how it all went, the road to it, the bumps, I have admired his perseverance. He is by far the greatest Dutch artist at the moment." World star The book analyzes how Rieu was able to become the world star he is today: his perfectionism, his drive for action and his will to show the world what he can do, but also the enormous loyalty of the people around him. Of course the loyalty of his wife Marjorie and son/manager Pierre, but also Rieu's loyalty towards his orchestra members. Many of whom have worked for him for decades. Childhood friend "He calls it the Japanese model. This means that you take care of your staff until you die. And he does that. I have heard many examples of that. Jean Sassen, for example. That is a childhood friend of Rieu, he is a double bassist, but at some point decided to quit because he was home so little and his wife was always home alone. When Rieu found out what the problem was, he didn't say: “Just sit at home”, but at his expense, took that woman traveling with him for years." Yet it is not all roses and moonshine when it comes to Rieu's loyalty. "The moment you leave the Rieu company it is also finished," says Geurts. "Then you no longer exist. He doesn't have much feeling for that, someone also says in the book." When does it end? It illustrates the business side of Rieu. The side you also need to get and stay at the absolute top. Rieu's status has been undisputed for years and has taken him to all corners of the world. But the orchestra leader, although he doesn't want to know it, is also getting older. This year he will be 75 and if Rieu retires, it will also mean the end of the orchestra. What does Rieu himself say about that? "That he doesn't have to think about that yet, because he's going to be 120," says Geurts. "That is something he always says, also internally, which causes the discussion about it to slow down a bit. But the orchestra is working on that, especially after Mexico." Rieu had to interrupt a series of concerts there earlier this year due to illness. Geurts: "He has already realized that. Should we still do this, he wondered? To Mexico, at that altitude, acclimatization, jet lag. In the future, these trips will be abolished, I think." Stay in shape Rieu is still good for about 80 to 100 concerts a year, with the vast majority abroad. In addition to his Stradivarius, his personal trainer always travels with him, because the orchestra leader must stay in shape. Not only by hanging on the weights, but also by sleeping, Geurts says: "He is known for his sleeping. Everywhere, always. He always takes his sofa bed with him. Before the plane is taxiing, he is already asleep. That's also the only way you can really get him angry, if you disturb him." Although Rieu himself did not want to participate in the book, Geurts did not experience this as a problem. "They (André, wife Marjorie and son/manager Pierre) were not really looking forward to a book about André. But they did not shy away from it either, I am happy with that. And I was able to draw on all the interviews that De Limburger has ever done with Rieu, since 1978. That's why it didn't matter much that I didn't speak to him. Almost everything I would like to ask has already been asked." The book 75 years of André Rieu is available in bookstores and via the website of the daily newspaper De Limburger (www.delimburger.nl/boeken). Note: The author replied Ineke about a translation of the book in German and English: it is not yet known. All questions from fans abroad about purchasing and shipping of the Dutch book can be addressed to: communicatie@mediahuislimburg.nl

June 22, 2024. “De Limburger,” by Tim Geurts, author of the book “75 years André Rieu”. Translated by Ineke, edited by Diana D. Le André Rieu refuses offers worth millions from controversial countries: “Saudi Arabia wanted to triple the amount” André Rieu refuses to perform in several countries. Despite the millions of euros he is offered for it. This is evident from the book that De Limburger wrote about him in honor of his 75th birthday. The book about the world-famous Maastricht violinist is now for sale in the Dutch bookstores. This is a slightly edited part of the chapter about the businessman André Rieu. Rieu has had quite a few financial setbacks over the years. His world tour with the replica Schönbrunn Castle (the famous Viennese palace of Empress Sisi and Franz Joseph that Rieu recreated for his concerts, 125 meters wide and 34 meters high) generated tens of millions of dollars, and a year later Rieu falls ill and has to interrupt his world tour. He has to go to the bank twice to avoid bankruptcy. “Everything was off the bank. My studio, my CDs, my Stradivari, the rights to my name, absolutely everything.” And: “I had to pledge everything, including the aviaries,” he said later. Significant damage items that will have been eliminated in 2024. Rieu has had a top year in 2022 (the last year for which figures are available at the time of writing the book). 67.5 million is the turnover in that year according to the annual accounts and there is little reason to assume that 2023 will be much worse. Now turnover alone does not mean much, but anyone who knows that 17 million in profit remaining after eliminating costs can conclude that Rieu has had an excellent 2022. A welcome windfall after the corona years, the second period in which entrepreneur Rieu has to worry. Although son Pierre is clear about that period. Bankruptcy? Ruled out! "That will not happen. We are a healthy company and we are sensible. And you need that combination to avoid going bankrupt. If we can no longer pay bills, measures must be taken. Selling properties or instruments, so that everyone gets what they are entitled to.” Layoffs are the last straw. “Dad would rather sell his Stradivarius than have to fire his people. They have been on the road together for forty years, you can't just dismiss them. My father is not like that.” Tears of joy Selling that Stradivarius is ultimately not necessary. Although Rieu thinks that in an emergency he could have gotten a million or seven for it. It is therefore not surprising that Pierre's father is relieved when Prime Minister Mark Rutte announces during the corona period that companies can expect financial support. Rieu told Elsevier: “Then I had tears in my eyes of happiness. Because the government paid 80 percent of the salaries, I didn't have to fire anyone.” During this corona period it also becomes clear how loyal his audience is. Because no one has asked for the money back for his or her ticket purchased in 2020, it makes Rieu emotional in 2021. “Then we are talking about 700 thousand (!) tickets. The fact that people choose to keep the ticket and wait is heart-warming to me.” It also seems that the entrepreneur Rieu has become older and wiser. The risks are somewhat avoided nowadays. We never hear from him anymore about the biggest plans he ever had. Because those plans were grand. A performance on the moon can perhaps be dismissed as a joke, but that trip to the North Pole... Rieu has already figured out how to do that in 2009. The orchestra leader wants to take an icebreaker to the area to perform for the Inuit, the original inhabitants of the North Pole. “By taking action we also draw attention to the deteriorating environment,” says son Pierre. The world noticed that it was not a fad in 2013 when the ANP press service suddenly spread the news that the concert at the North Pole would actually take place. On August 18, 2014. Anyone who wants to participate would have to pay a lot of money: 35 thousand euros per ticket. It turns out to be a prank by a person pretending to be a relative of the Rieus. But when asked, Pierre confirms once again how serious the plans were in 2009. It is that there are only 'two somewhat dilapidated Russian nuclear icebreakers' available, which causes Rieu to put the project on hold. “The damage you would cause with these ships might have been greater than the attention you would generate,” said Pierre. In 2017, André Rieu himself would also return to the plan. In passing, he also points out that a moon performance is not entirely intended as a joke. “I once dreamed of concerts at the North Pole and the moon, I even talked about it with Richard Branson. But at a certain point, you become a bit more realistic and you notice that something like that is virtually impossible. But still, Walt Disney once said: 'If you can dream it, you can do it!' A wonderful motto, I think of him often.” Buy houses Nevertheless, Rieu's plans, now that he has been on this earth for three quarters of a century, are somewhat less grand. The entrepreneur no longer builds enormous castles, but nowadays puts his money in stones. Rieu owns almost eighty properties. In Assendelft and Krimpen aan de IJssel, but often in his beloved Maastricht. For example, Rieu owns quite a few properties on the Maasboulevard and also centered around his castle on the Ursulineweg near the Sint-Pietersberg. If a house becomes available nearby, there is a good chance that André Rieu will make an offer and buy the property shortly afterwards. He has already bought a lot of real estate, especially on the street that borders his castle (Lage Kanaaldijk). The reason: Rieu would not want fans to live in his backyard. On the one hand because he doesn't want that, and on the other hand to maintain that self-created myth of the king of the waltz - who lives in a castle. Actually, that castle mainly serves as an office and is not the place where Rieu sleeps at night, according to people who should know. Rieu has little to complain about money these days. He immediately puts the 17 million profit made in 2022 back into the company and his violins alone are worth almost 11 million euros in the books. The fact that he does not have to think about money is not self-evident for Rieu. Especially in those early years of his salon orchestra, when he has just left school and is trying to start his musical career, it doesn't last, Rieu says in the book by his wife Marjorie. “I was told that seven lean years are generally followed by seven fat years. So I had actually been waiting for that since 1985, but in any case it took another seven years before the balance would tilt to the other side.” It is also in those years just before the Maastricht Salon Orchestra sees the light of day that Rieu's entrepreneurship rears its head once again. Because what if there is no future in music? What then? The answer is: starting a pizzeria together with Marjorie. Over the years, Rieu has repeatedly talked about the plan to start a pizzeria in a Maastricht student district. With the ultimate dish on the menu: the Pizza Paganini. Named after the famous Italian violinist Niccolò Paganini. Whose chef André Rieu will also come and play at your table when you order that pizza. A plan that never goes ahead, because success comes eventually, but it does show that Rieu knows the value of money and has not always been rich. Offers of millions And yet Rieu is not a businessman whose goal in life is to always earn more. Performing at Christmas, New Year, or Carnival? It doesn't happen, no matter how much money is offered. These are moments when the family is central and he also wants to give his orchestra time off. Private performances for the rich of the earth? Things must be very strange for Rieu to respond to this. Orchestra member and André Rieu's musical right-hand man Frank Steijns can remember only three such performances. “And he has had a lot of demand. We did visit Otto, which is a German mail order company that existed for a hundred years. We performed in a backyard, with Angela Merkel also present. Another time for a gentleman who had a large gas company in Mexico and we went to Bangkok. They were a Thai couple who had studied in Heidelberg and then set up one of the largest insurance companies in Asia. They were now so old that they could no longer come to Europe for a Rieu concert, so they asked Rieu to go there. Those are the only three private things I know of, so you must come from a very good background. Russian oil barons, businessmen in Dubai, or princes in Saudi Arabia: he doesn't do it.” And there are also countries he avoids. Rich countries. Countries at war. Countries where he could effortlessly rake in quite a few extra millions. Why doesn't he? He tells: "Principles" in 2024 in Mexico City, just before he has to return home sick. For example, some countries have been left off the list in recent years. For example, Rieu has previously been in Russia and Israel. Countries where he no longer visits. “Our Russian tour was all set up and then Putin started shooting.” Israel has already been removed from the list. “When Netanyahu wanted to abolish the judiciary, I immediately said: no way. We have been to Bahrain, but we checked that out first. Pierre spoke to the Crown Prince there and told him: ‘I want to know what the deal is with gays here, because we have them here in the orchestra.’ We'll discuss that first. And why am I telling you this? Immediately after the concert we had Saudi Arabia on the phone. ‘When are you coming here?’ When Pierre said we didn't want that, they immediately said they wanted to double the amount and later triple it. But that is not our concern, they will first have to amend the constitution. Yet they keep calling and calling.” Counterproductive These are also decisions that are explained to the orchestra, Steijns knows. “Pierre then explains to us that he has been in contact with Amnesty International and why after that conversation it was decided that we can go to Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, and not to Saudi Arabia. I thought that was a very good story. I do respect the fact that André says ‘no’. You can stand on some billboards like all those football players and send out some nice tweets for half a billion, but he didn't do that. And if they start doubling things down, it will only be counterproductive for André and Pierre: ‘We will try not to be offended,’ they said. Of course they were not happy about that in Saudi Arabia.” Thinking about whether or not to go somewhere is nothing new. For example, it was decided years ago not to travel to North Korea. Although Pierre also engages in conversation in that country, André already talked about it years ago. “‘My father would like to come and play here, but on the condition that North and South Koreans can waltz together in peace during the concert,’ he said on my behalf. Then the discussions ended quickly, unfortunately.” Above all, it shows that Rieu does not think in terms of impossibilities. No matter how naive that may sound sometimes. Kerstin Cornelis, who traveled the world with Rieu as his manager for twelve years, admits that she too always had to laugh a little when another crazy plan came around the corner. She always took it with a grain of salt, without downplaying the underlying idea. “In my opinion, he never meant that he would actually go to the moon, but that anything was possible for him. And he completely achieved that. In that respect, as far as I am concerned, André has already been on the moon for a long time.” The book 75 years of André Rieu is available (only in Dutch) in bookstores from June 26, but can already be ordered via the webshop of De Limburger, (https://shop.limburger.nl/product/75-jaar-andre-rieu) Note: The author replied to Ineke about a translation of the book in German and English: It is not yet known. All questions from fans abroad about purchasing and shipping of the Dutch book can be addressed to: communicatie@mediahuislimburg.nl

Kerstin Cornelis traveled the world with Rieu as his tour manager for twelve years. She was allowed to take her two months old baby-girl (and a nanny) on tour through Australia in 2009. Ruud and Kerstin in 2014.