Express.co.uk
·Jul 2026
André Rieu: 'My parents didn't believe in me'
André Rieu discusses his childhood in Maastricht, his difficult relationship with parents who did not support his ambitions, and his subsequent career as a violinist and orchestra leader. He credits his wife Marjorie with believing in him, describes the growth of the Johann Strauss Orchestra from 12 to 60 members, and emphasizes the joy, emotion and family atmosphere of his concerts. Rieu also discusses his historic violins, family life, healthy lifestyle, global reach through YouTube and Spotify, and upcoming UK performances and the Viva Maastricht! cinema concert.