The Dutch violinist and conductor André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu, born 1 October 1949 is best known for founding the Johann Strauss Orchestra, which specializes in performing waltzes.
Rieu and his orchestra have made waltz and classical music a popular concert touring genre. He now resides in Maastricht, his hometown.
Rieu’s parents were both Roman Catholic, although his name is of French Huguenot heritage. André was born to Andries Antonie Rieu and is the third of six children.
Meet André Rieu’s siblings Robert Rieu, Jean-Philippe Rieu, Gaby Buirma-Rieu, Teresia Rieu & Cilia Rieu
Teresa and Cilia are his two elder sisters. Robert and Jean-Philippe are his two younger brothers. Gaby Buirma-Rieu is his younger sister.
The Maastricht Symphony Orchestra was led by Rieu’s dad. At age five, André started learning the violin after showing early promise.
He became enamoured with orchestra at a very young age. Between 1968 to 1973, he studied violin with Jo Juda and Herman Krebbers at the Conservatoire Royal de Liège and the Conservatorium de Maastricht.
