André Rieu announces new UK tour after musician tragedy

André Rieu announces new UK tour after musician tragedy

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norman lebrecht

December 20, 2016

This week’s tour was abruptly cancelled due to the serious illness of an orchestra player.

Tickets will be honoured at the rescheduled tour.

Here’s the announcement, just in:

André Rieu has rescheduled his concerts in London, Nottingham, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow postponed earlier this week due to a long-term member of the Johann Strauss Orchestra suffering a severe heart attack on Saturday. The musician is still in a coma. Unfortunately, his condition remains critical.

André Rieu: “My orchestra and I  have been overwhelmed by the support and love that we have received from all our friends and fans around the world. We would like to thank you all from the bottom of our heart for your understanding. It has been a terrible week for all of us and your warm words have given his wife, who is also a member of my orchestra, my colleagues and me so much strength.”

Rescheduled Dates are:


Monday 6th March (replaces 19/12) and Tuesday 7th March (replaces 20/12)
at The SSE Arena, Wembley, London
Tuesday 21st March at The Manchester Arena,

Wednesday 22nd March at The Genting Arena, Birmingham
Thursday 23rd March at Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham

Friday 24th March at The SSE Hydro, Glasgow.

Customers are advised to retain their ticket for the rescheduled show as all tickets will remain valid for the new dates.
In the unfortunate event that customers are unable to attend the rescheduled date, full refunds will be available from point of sale.

Comments

  • john barnett says:

    wish your orchestra member well from all his followers worldwide

  • Linda Waidson says:

    I was so disappointed about not going to the concert tonight had been looking forward to it for absolutely ages .
    However I completely understand the reason why you cancelled . Your hearts would not be in it as you all would be feeling so unhappy .
    Let’s just hope his condition improves soon . These things are out of our control and we just have to pray he gets well .
    I hope by now he and his family are back in a hospital on familiar territory that may help ease the anguish a little.

  • Cecile Corlett says:

    So sorry to hear of this sad happening.Prayers will be with all of you but especially with him and his family. You all bring so much joy with your music and merriment. Thank you.

  • guy ettridge says:

    such sad news, Ruud and Lin our prayers are with you. God willing you will make a full and speedy recovery, God bless you all.

  • Lynn Attwood says:

    I too was saddened by the postponement of the Nottingham event but I am so pleased that ‘your’ family comes before profit. I truly admire how you appreciate how important your fellow members are to you. May he fully recover and may you all have a truly peaceful Christmas. God Bless you all.

  • Una says:

    The whole concert tour could have gone ahead, and dedicated to the player in order to get well, and spread some good Karma. Of course we wish the player well. Goodness knows it’s a great worry for his family and friends when taken ill like that, but to cancel the concerts? I’m not sure.

    • John says:

      You do know that this was the group’s consensus decision, right? I’m certainly glad you’re not their manager.

      • June Simpson New Zealand says:

        I’m glad Andre has compomassion and not profi in his heart. They would have been dreadful concerts as his JSO could not have been full of fun and joy with their orchestra member critically ill in hospital. My prayers are with Ruud and his family God Bless

      • Bruce says:

        There will always be those who think, if the entire orchestra were hospitalized due to a bus crash, Mr. Rieu should hire substitutes, put ball gowns on them, and give the concert anyway.

        • Ellen says:

          Don’t agree

          • John Mezera says:

            Andre and the entire orchestra, made the right decision. There are those who might say: ‘The show must go on’, but here, the show can’t go on. Cancelling the tour is the only choice. Their hearts wouldn’t be in it anyway. Let them pray, grieve and start over new after a respectful time to grieve.

    • Andy Taylor says:

      Andre and the JSO made the right decision, how could the concert continue when the concert is for the JSO as well as Andre. With 1 member of the JSO in a coma and his wife at his side, the JSO is not a full orchestra. Instead of moaning that it was postponed, pray and hope for his recovery and for the entire JSO family, as I and thousands of others are.

    • Len says:

      How can you expect people to perform and pretend they are full of joy and the Christmas Spirit when one of their friends is lying dangerously ill in hospital?

      • Gill Webster says:

        My family and I had tickets for the Nottingham concert and found out minutes before leaving home about the cancellation. Of course it is very disappointing, but we understand completely and as we admire all of the orchestra, we could not have enjoyed it if the concert had gone ahead in such circumstances. Much better to step back, and then regroup at a later date. To have carried on, pretending all was well, would have been terrible for everyone, especially in view of the very serious nature of Ruud’s condition.
        It was absolutely the right thing to do.

  • Roger Smith Cheltenham England says:

    My wife and I should have been going to Birmingham Tomorrow (13th) for a wonderful evening of music and fun, But it is not to be, sadly one of your colleges has been taken very ill. Andre has done the only thing possible by cancelling your remaining shows in the UK, We totally understand and send our very best wishes and prayers for his speedy recovery and to his family at this hard time in their lives. May God bless you all and I thank you for all the joy and happiness that you give around the world, See you soon I hope.

  • Eileen Andrews says:

    I was so sorry to hear the reason for the cancellation of your concert but totally understand why you had to cancel. You couldn’t possibly have carried on. I hope and pray that the member of your orchestra will make a full recovery and my heart goes out to him, his wife and family and you and all your orchestra. Lots of love.

  • Norman Yates says:

    I share your sadness over the events of the last week that enforced you to reschedule your UK tour.

    My thoughts and prayers are with the poor musician who is in a coma – may he have full and speedy recovery.

    We look forward to seeing and hearing you in March.

    Best wishes for the festive season.

    Norman Yates, Farndon, Nottingham

  • Martin Pipe says:

    Our thoughts are with Ruud and his wife Lin. I saw the orchestra in concert in Liverpool last Thursday and it is sad to know I have seen Ruud play his trombone balance his instrument on his chin during the ‘Strauss and Co’ encore for the last time.
    Ruud, you are always going to be a star.

  • Pam skelton says:

    So sorry. Make sure you play plenty of music to him while he sleeps. As Andre says, “music is a great healer”please wake up to lovely music. Love and good wishes to you all.xx

  • Jeff Cox says:

    WE should have been in Nottingham on Saturday but under the circumstances it was the right decision, however we can now look forward to March when Andre returns to these shore again. Our thoughts are with you all and please wish Ruud well. Our best wishes to all. Jeff and Karen Cox.

  • Delores dawkins says:

    I was also disappointed however I’ve had the pleasure of going to watch him twice before and it’s lovely and also refreshing to hear that he puts his extended family first and wish the man a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him in march xx

  • Linda says:

    We were very disappointed that last night’s concert at Wembley was cancelled but fully understand your reasons for cancelling. My thoughts are with the musician, his family and the whole orchestra at this sad time and wish him a speedy recovery.

  • brian england says:

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you for a speedy recovery. We are enjoying SKY ATRS this week. a fine tribute to you all

  • Jo Westmore says:

    My thoughts go to the band member and his family. But my son was devistated at the cancellation. He had been looking forward to 17 th December for months. So much organisation and expense to facilitate getting him to Nottingham

    • Lynne Oskooi says:

      Jo. At leadst you still have your son and he is not lying in a coma possibly never to recover. I too am disappointed, especially as I cannot attend the re-scheduled concert in March, but I must remain grateful that all of my family members are well. I am disabled and have waited a long time to be able to get to an Andre concert in Manchester. I cannot travel, but if I could I would and would not complain about the inconvenience of aborting travel. At least I would be alive .

      Hope your son is in good health. My daughter aged 25 is not. I am just so grateful to still have her, no matter how inconvenient arrangements often become.

      Something about a cup being half full and not half empty and being so grateful for what we have.

      Lynne Oskooi

  • Viola says:

    Thoughts go out to Ruud, Lin and family and Andre and the orchestral family. What devastating news. There’s no question that it was the right thing to do to cancel the shows, of course it was the right thing to do. I find it extremely disappointing to hear the sour comments from people focused purely on monetary loss. Life is too short. Clearly you have no idea of the strong bond Andre and his orchestra have and have had for over 25yrs. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Here’s hoping for a successful recovery from a loyal supporter. God bless.

  • Jean and Steve Exley says:

    I cannot believe anybody would say the tour could have carried on (Una) she must be very
    hard and cannot see how it will have affected everybody
    My Wife and Myself saw the show in Leeds of course it was a night to remember and we
    cannot believe Ruud is so Ill and we send our best wishes to him and hope he has a
    speedy recovery

    • Una says:

      As a professional singer, Jean and Steve, that is what happens in all other aspects of the classical world of music. It is not about being hard hearted – not at all. It’s about serving our audiences. Obviously an Andre Rieu audience is very different and not one with which I am familiar. I could completely understand if it were Rieu himself that had been taken so serious ill as he’s the backbone of his group, but not another orchestral player. And then you have also set a precedent for what happens then when the next one gets ill in the orchestra, or dies, and given they are such a close-knit musical family and worked together for many years? Do they keep cancelling tours? These things are bound to happen, and it happened in the two opera companies I sang in myself, let alone all the others in the world. I knew by saying anything that I would open myself to personal criticism rather tha professional criticsm, but I am not alone and my colleagues, who are not represented here, are simply quite surprised to hear of a tour like that being cancelled – that’s all. It does not make us hard-hearted mercenary musicians. It’s just a different point of view. It also reminds those of us in the profession that without an audience likes yourselves, we are all as musicians redundant and unemployed. We are there to serve the public selflessly as best we can with music by composers that has lasted so many years. I feel the tour should have gone on but to have that opinion does not make me a hard hearted person, and others will disagree. As I said, we are all wishing this player a speedy recover. That was never in doubt.

      Have a lovely Christmas and I hope you get to the next concert and thoroughly enjoy it in March.

      • Marylyn Davidson says:

        Una I would like to see you face this wonderful ‘family’ orchestra and tell them to their face how you feel and get their reaction . They are so close as a group sharing each other’s feelings .They truly are a family together. They must all be devastated and worried sick. How could you possibly try to dictate what they should have done, they knew what was the right decision was and Andre would have backed them to the hilt. . Loving you all and praying for Rudd and his family

      • maggie blackmore says:

        una I dont think you have any idea about andre and his company you may sing in an opera but this group have been together for so many years and travel the world .They are a family and to have one of their own taken ill is devastating to them all,I am a TRUE fan and wouldnt have wanted him to carry on as they couldnt give their all. Andre did the right thing in cancelling the concerts At least as sad as he his he has thought of his fans and putting on more concerts. With andre and company you cannot put on substutes it would not work . unlike like other things .I hope ruud pulls thought s and prayers are with his family and his other family

  • Christine A Cartwright says:

    My husband and I were really looking forward to taking our 7 year old grandson , Jacob , to see the show in Manchester but fully understand the reason for the cancellation. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rudd , his family and all of the orchestra . God be with you . xxx

  • Wendy Coldrick says:

    Sorry to hear of trombonist’s condition but praying for his recovery . What is the content of the new shows , presumably not Christmas music in March ?

  • Stephanie Patterson says:

    Such sad news about your beloved player. Maestro Rieu is an example of caring and generosity towards his players. Would that more conductors follow his lead. Prayers for the player, his family, and for the entire orchestra.

  • Jean I. Baxter says:

    Jean Baxter says:
    How very sad. Of course it is right for Andre to cancel the tour. His orchestra is like his family. Thoughts and prayers are with Ruud and family. Hoping he will be fit and able to take his place in the orchestra next March. Of course we are all disappointed but family always comes first. Best Wishes to all.

  • elizabeth kent says:

    So sorry to hear about ruud’s illness, i send much love,wishes and pray for a speedy recovery to him and his family and of course to you andre and all the jso members, i also send much love to the doctors, nurses that are looking after him may they all have a peaceful christmas

  • Marjorie Watkins says:

    I have always wanted to see Andre Rieu play, and am saving hard to be able to see him play in person. When I am down in spirits, I watch You Tubes of him or play his music on my IPod. He always comes across as humble and caring.
    I hope the player gets better soon and I do think Andre did the right thing.

  • John says:

    So sorry for ruud and hope that he recovers and that he knows how much joy he gives to all Andre Andy the jso fans around the world.

  • Peter Heayns says:

    So sorry to hear the news hope he gets well soon and l look forward to seeing him on stage in Maastricht next year. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

  • erika evans says:

    Dear Andre and orchestra we pray for his speedy recovery. God be with him and the whole Johann Strauss family.

  • Margaret Martin says:

    So sorry to hear that Ruud has taken seriously ill. We hope and pray that he makes a good recovery. I am a great fan of you Andre and your wonderful orchestra. You are a family and you have now proved to the world that you are by cancelling your concerts as a mark of respect to Ruud. You all bring such joy and happiness to everyone. I am particularly grateful to you Andre for the joy you brought to my mother after she suffered stroke. Your music transported her to another place where she found peace and happiness. You are a very gifted gentleman not just musically but spiritually. I am very family orientated so I fully understand why you made this decision. You are to be admired ! Prayers are ongoing for Ruud and his wife and family. Margaret Martin. Xxx

  • Richard and Patricia Tanser says:

    So sorry to hear the news about Rudd. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rudd, Lin and their family, and also with Andre and the whole JSO.

  • Rita says:

    Ruud died last thursday. So sad.

  • Jimmy and Pauline McMillan says:

    So sorry to hear about the death of Rudd our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends, God bless and care for you all during this time of sadness our hearts go out to you all. Love and our deepest sympathy to his Wife and family xxx

  • Malcolm Mc Phail says:

    Rudd was a terrific trombonist and a fun entertainer among the orchestra will be truly missed by all his fans my heart goes out to his wife and family along with his musical colleagues too GOD BLESS X

  • Hermoine & Stewart says:

    So so sad to hear of the sudden passing of Ruud, he was a very talented musician and such fun to watch; he will be a massive loss and our thoughts are with his family, Andre and the orchestra. Such a sad time for Andre and the JSO with one of their ‘family’ passing away. It was definitely the right thing to cancel concerts; how could they possibly have played with their heart and soul and undoubtedly, even when they do resume their concerts, Ruud will be very much in their thoughts. Cannot understand those who say concerts should have gone ahead; this sounds very uncaring.

  • Roger Smith says:

    I am the number one fan of Andre and his JSO orchestra, the joy and happiness of those who listen to their music is testimony to their talents. It also shows that Andre and his orchestra do not put financial gain before one of their own, BRAVO, totally the right decision. We can look forward to a wonderful evening in March and all of our thoughts are with Ruud’s family, God bless Andre you did the right thing.

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