Waltz music on tap at the Forum April 26
Article published on Monday, April 21, 2008 |
TAMPA - Well-known violinist and composer André Rieu, dubbed the “Modern King of Waltz” by the media, returns to the St. Pete Times Forum, Saturday, April 26, at 8 p.m.
André Rieu was named the Top Classical Artist by Billboard’s Best of 2006, and he was also awarded the Top Classical Album for “Tuscany” and “Live in Dublin” plus Top Classical Crossover Album for “At The Movies.”
He has toured in countries all over the world, including many stops in Japan, is considered an excellent conductor, a talented violinist, and a great showman. Overall, he has sold more than 22 million albums and CDs.
Rieu, a Dutch violinist virtuoso and conductor of the Johann Strauss Orchestra, was born in Holland in 1949 into a very musical family. His father was a conductor, and most of his brothers and sisters are professional musicians.
To overcome shyness onstage during his early career, and to remove the emotional distance between himself and the audience, Rieu adopted the example of Johann Strauss, who would create a festive atmosphere at his performances and encourage his audiences to enjoy the music by getting out of their seats and waltz in the aisles. This was well received, and Rieu assembled a group of local Dutch musicians, creating the Johann Strauss Orchestra.
In 1994, Rieu released his first album Strauss & Co. It was released as popular music, and did very well on the Dutch and German charts. In 1996, the violinist toured throughout Europe, gaining additional fans in Germany, Austria and France. Later that year, Rieu released a new album, From Holland With Love, which held the number one spot on the Dutch charts for more than a year. The album triggered a waltz wave in the Netherlands. In 1996, Rieu won the World Music Award in Monte Carlo. Some of Rieu’s additional albums include Romantic Moments, 100 Years of Strauss, The Vienna I Love, and The Christmas I Love.
Tickets are $52.75, $67.75 and $77.75 plus service charges and are available at the McDonald's Box Office and all Ticketmaster Outlets including Spec’s Music and FYE. To order tickets by phone, call Ticketmaster at 813-287-8844 or 727-898-2100.
For more information, call 813-301-2500 or visit www.stpetetimesforum.com. Advanced parking passes are available for $10 at www.ticketmaster.com and the McDonald’s Box Office at the St. Pete Times Forum.
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Article published on Monday, April 21, 2008
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