André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu (born 1 October 1949) is a Dutch violinist and conductor best known for creating the waltz-playing Johann Strauss Orchestra.
Rieu and his orchestra have turned classical and waltz music into a worldwide concert touring act. He resides in his native Maastricht.
The name Rieu is of French Huguenot origin, though both of Rieu's parents were Roman Catholic. André was born to Andries Antonie Rieu and is the third of six children.
Rieu's father was conductor of the Maastricht Symphony Orchestra. Showing early promise, André began studying violin at the age of five. From a very early age, he developed a fascination with orchestra. He studied violin at the Conservatoire Royal in Liège and at the Conservatorium Maastricht, (1968–1973), studying under Jo Juda and Herman Krebbers.
From 1974 to 1977, he attended the Music Academy in Brussels, studying with André Gertler. He completed his training with the distinction "Premier Prix" from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels.
He married Marjorie Kochmann in 1975. She has been a language teacher and has written compositions. They have two sons.
He speaks six languages: Dutch, English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.
Rieu created the Johann Strauss Orchestra in 1987 and began with 12 members, giving its first concert on 1 January 1988. As of 2020, he performs with between 50 and 60 musicians. Rieu plays a 1667 Stradivarius violin.
Rieu and his orchestra have appeared throughout Europe, North and South America, Japan, and Australia. In 2008, Rieu's tour featured a full-size reproduction of Empress Sisi's Castle, the biggest stage to have gone on tour at that time.
For two weeks in 2013, one of the channels of the BSkyB group, Sky Arts 2 in the UK, was renamed as Sky Arts Rieu. Between 30 March and 14 April 2013 Sky Arts Rieu broadcast Rieu concerts and documentaries 24 hours per day.
Rieu also composed music for the 2014 film Tuscan Wedding.
Source: Article "André Rieu" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Known For
André Rieu's 2025 Maastricht Concert: Waltz the Night Away!
Self
2025
André Rieu's 75th Birthday Celebration: The Dream Continues
2025
André Rieu’s Christmas Concert
Himself
2024
André Rieu's 2024 Christmas Concert: Gold and Silver
Self
2024
André Rieu - Das große Open-Air-Konzert 2024
2024
André Rieu - Power of Love
Self
2024
André Rieu's White Christmas
Self
2023
André Rieu: Love Is All Around
Self
2023
André Rieu - Live in Dublin 2023
Self
2023
André Rieu - Happy Days are Here Again!
Self
2022
André Rieu - Christmas with André
Self
2021
André Rieu - Together Again
Self
2021
Linda's Wintermaand
Self - Musician · (1 episode)
2020
André Rieu Magical Maastricht - Together in Music
Self
2020
André Rieu - 70 Years Young
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2020
André Rieu - Christmas Down Under - Live from Sydney
Himself
2019
André Rieu - Das große Konzert 2019
Self
2019
André Rieu - Love in Maastricht
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2019
André Rieu - New Year's Concert from Sydney
Self
2019
André Rieu's 2018 Maastricht Concert
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2018
André Rieu - The Magic Of Maastricht
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2017
André Rieu - 2017 Maastricht Concert
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2017
Helemaal het Einde!
(1 episode)
2017
André Rieu - Live in Chile
Self
2017
André Rieu - Christmas in London
Self - Conductor, Violinist
2016
André Rieu - Falling in Love - In Maastricht
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2016
André Rieu - Wonderful World - Live in Maastricht
Self
2015
Andre Rieu op Bloemeneiland Mainau
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2015
André Rieu - Magic Of the Violin (compilation)
Self
2015
André Rieu - Live in Bucharest
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2015
André Rieu - Love in Venice
Self - Conductor, Violinist
2014
André Rieu - Maastricht 2014 (10th Anniversary Concert)
Self - Maestro e Violinista
2014
André Rieu - Magic Of the Musicals
Self
2014
MDR um 4
Self · (1 episode)
2014
André Rieu - Welcome to My World
Self · (30 episodes)
2013
Vera bei...
Self · (1 episode)
2013
André Rieu & Friends - Live in Maastricht
Self - Conductor, Violinist
2013
Rieu Royale - André Rieu Coronation Concert Live in Amsterdam
Self
2013
André Rieu - Happy Birthday!
Self - Maestro e Violinista
2013
André Rieu - Live in Brazil
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2013
André Rieu Espetacular
Self
2013
Heiligabend mit Carmen Nebel
Self · (1 episode)
2012
André Rieu - Home for Christmas
Self - Conductor, Violinist
2012
André Rieu - King of the Waltz
Self - Director
2012
André Rieu: Home For the Holidays
Self
2012
André Rieu - Under The Stars: Live In Maastricht V
Self
2012
Denk ich an Weihnacht
Self · (1 episode)
2011
André Rieu - The Christmas I Love
Self
2011
André Rieu - And The Waltz Goes On
Self
2011
André Rieu - Moonlight Serenade
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2011
Klein gegen Groß - Das unglaubliche Duell
Self · (1 episode)
2011
André Rieu - Fiesta Mexicana!
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2011
André Rieu - Roses from the South
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2010
André Rieu - A Midsummer Night's Dream: Live in Maastricht 4
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2010
André Rieu - My African Dream
Self - Conductor, Violinist
2010
Musikalische Reise
Self · (1 episode)
2010
Andre Rieu - Gala: Live in de Arena
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2010
André Rieu - Live In Sydney: André's Australian Adventure
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2009
André Rieu - I lost my Heart in Heidelberg
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2009
André Rieu - A dream come true
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2009
André Rieu - Live in Maastricht 3
Self
2009
André Rieu - Champagne Melodies
Self - Conductor, Violinist
2009
André Rieu - The Best Of Live
Self
2009
Wedding at the Opera
Self
2009
André Rieu - Live in Australia
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2008
André Rieu - Royal Dreams
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2008
Andre Rieu - Gala Concert
Self
2008
André Rieu - Live in Vienna
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2008
André Rieu - The 100 Greatest Moments
Self
2008
André Rieu - Live In Maastricht II
Self
2008
Markus Lanz
Self · (3 episodes)
2008
Andre Rieu - Live in New York
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2007
Flikken Maastricht
Self · (1 episode)
2007
André Rieu - In Wonderland
Self - Conductor, Violinist
2007
André Rieu - Romance
Self - Conductor, Violinist
2007
André Rieu - At Schonbrunn Vienna
Self - Conductor, Violinist
2006
Semperopernball
Self · (1 episode)
2006
André Rieu - The Homecoming
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2006
André Rieu - New York Memories
Self - Conductor, Violinist
2006
Andre Rieu - Christmas Around the World
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2005
André Rieu - Songs From My Heart
Self - Conductor, Violinist
2005
André Rieu - The Flying Dutchman
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2005
Andre Rieu - Romantic Moments
Self
2005
Andre Rieu - Love Songs
Self
2005
Andre Rieu - New Year's in Vienna
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2005
Andre Rieu - Live In Tuscany
Self
2004
André Rieu - Live in Bahrain 2024
Himself
Willkommen bei Carmen Nebel
Self · (11 episodes)
2004
Andre Rieu - New Year's Eve Punch
Self - Conductor, Violinist
2003
Our Best
Self · (1 episode)
2003
André Rieu - Live in Dublin
Self - Conductor, Violinist
2003
Life is beautiful
Self
2003
Andre Rieu - 100 Years of Strauss
Self
2003
André Rieu - La vie est belle
Self
2003
André Rieu - Romantic Paradise Live in Italy
Self
2003
André Rieu - Love Around The World
Self - Maestro e Violinista
2002
Andre Rieu - Dreaming (Aimer)
Self
2002
André Rieu - Live at the Royal Albert Hall
Self - Maestro e Violinista
2002
Andre Rieu - Worldtour Concert
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2001
Menschen der Woche
Self · (2 episodes)
2000
Andre Rieu - Au Zenith de Paris
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
2000
Abendschau
Self · (1 episode)
2000
Volle Kanne
Self · (3 episodes)
1999
Beckmann
Self · (2 episodes)
1999
Show Palast
Self · (1 episode)
1999
Ein Herz für Kinder
Self · (1 episode)
1998
Vivement dimanche
Self · (1 episode)
1998
Die Lotto-Show
Self · (1 episode)
1998
The Johannes B. Kerner Show
Self · (6 episodes)
1998
Andre Rieu - Au Zenith de Paris
Self - Host, Conductor and Violinist
1998
Leute heute
Self · (3 episodes)
1997
Tietjen und Bommes
Self · (4 episodes)
1997
Das große Los
Self · (1 episode)
1996
Goldene Henne
Self · (1 episode)
1995
alfredissimo! Kochen mit Bio
Self · (1 episode)
1994
Die Feste mit Florian Silbereisen
Self · (8 episodes)
1994
Riverboat
Self · (3 episodes)
1992
Musik liegt in der Luft
Self · (1 episode)
1991
DAS!
Self · (1 episode)
1991
La Chance aux chansons
Self · (1 episode)
1984
Menschen
Self · (1 episode)
1982
De TV Show
Self · (1 episode)
1981
Musikantenstadl
Self · (2 episodes)
1981
Wetten, dass..?
Self · (1 episode)
1981
Tag des deutschen Schlagers
Self · (1 episode)
1981
Verstehen Sie Spaß?
Self · (2 episodes)
1980
NDR Talk Show
Self · (2 episodes)
1979
Kölner Treff
Self · (2 episodes)
1976
3 nach 9
Self · (2 episodes)
1974