The Johann Strauss Orchestra began in 1987 with 12 members under the direction of Dutch violinist André Rieu, who had sought to reintroduce the waltz to mass audiences. By 2020, the ensemble had expanded to include between 50 and 60 musicians, regularly filling stadiums across Europe, North and South America, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
Formative Musical Years
Born in 1949 in Maastricht, André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu began his formal violin training at age five. His father, Andries Antonie Rieu, served as the conductor of the Maastricht Symphony Orchestra. Rieu’s academic progression included studies at the Royal Conservatory of Liège and the Maastricht Academy of Music from 1968 to 1973 under Jo Juda and Herman Krebbers. He completed his conservatory training at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, studying with André Gertler and graduating with the distinction of Premier Prix in 1977.
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The Johann Strauss Orchestra held its first public concert on 1 January 1988. Rieu expanded his production values significantly over the following decades, notably utilizing a full-size reproduction of Empress Sisi’s castle as a stage set during his 2008 tour. During a two-week period in 2013, the British television group BSkyB dedicated the channel Sky Arts 2 entirely to his work, rebranding it as Sky Arts Rieu for 24-hour broadcasts of his performances and documentaries.
Critical and Commercial Reception
Rieu’s approach to performance has drawn varied assessments from international critics. While some journalists in the United Kingdom and Australia have categorized his shows as commodified entertainment, others argue that his accessible repertoire serves as an entry point for audiences unfamiliar with the classical canon. His commercial success is documented by extensive sales figures, including over 100 platinum accreditations in Australia by 2008, and he remains a prominent fixture in his native Maastricht, where he performs annually at the Vrijthof.
Awards and Distinctions
His contributions to media and music have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Charlemagne Medal for European Media in 2010. Rieu holds the rank of Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion and has received the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. In 2024, he was awarded the Pablo Neruda Order of Artistic and Cultural Merit. Other recognitions include the Goldene Stimmgabel, awarded in 1998 and 2003, and the Honour in Gold for Services to the Republic of Austria.
Fast facts
- Born: 1 October 1949, Maastricht
- Primary Instrument: 1667 Stradivarius violin
- Spouse: Marjorie Kochmann
- Languages spoken: Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, English
- Orchestra founded: 1987
- Residence: Maastricht
Questions readers ask
How many languages does André Rieu speak?
He is fluent in six languages: Dutch, English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish.
What is the origin of the Johann Strauss Orchestra?
Rieu founded the orchestra in 1987, starting with an initial group of 12 musicians.
Achievements
- Charlemagne Medal for European Media — 2010
- Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion
- Classic Brit Awards
- Instruments: violin
- Genres: classical music and waltz
