André Rieu in Cologne

André Rieu is a Dutch violinist and conductor, born in Maastricht in 1949. He founded the Johann Strauss Orchestra in 1987 and performs classical crossover centred on waltzes, operetta, film music and popular standards. His best-known concert repertoire includes “The Blue Danube” and “The Second Waltz.” In 2005, André Rieu began his annual summer concert series on the Vrijthof in Maastricht. On later arena tours, he and the orchestra performed at the O2 in London and Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. André Rieu appears as violin soloist, conductor and host at the front of the Johann Strauss Orchestra. Vocal soloists and guest instrumentalists join André Rieu for waltzes, opera arias, operetta numbers and popular songs.