It was the hardest time of his life.
World violin star André Rieu (73) was on the verge of bankruptcy due to the Corona crisis. Due to the ban on performing, he had no income. The million or so. euros per month for its 120 permanent employees (orchestra, choir, administration) continued.
The musician even considered selling his 1732 Stradivarius for several millions. Rieu to BILD: “I knew that I would get a new violin faster than such a wonderful orchestra. Many of my musicians have been with me for 20 to 30 years. We are a family. Luckily it wasn’t necessary.”
“The audience is hungry for happy, carefree music – as is my orchestra and I. We’ve been waiting for each other for so long,” says Rieu, who is happy to be able to perform again.
Because he received ten million euros from the Dutch state.
“80 percent of salaries plus a fixed amount for expenses. Like all companies in Holland,” says the violin virtuoso. “We couldn’t have done it without this support. I’m very proud that I didn’t have to let anyone out of my orchestra.”
Rieu picked up a new hobby during the pandemic. He became an enthusiastic baker.
To deal with the situation, Rieu developed his own Corona program. In his castle in Maastricht he learned with “Tintin”-Comics Spanish and started cakes to bake for the neighborhood (BILD reported).
A German TV series also helped him through the crisis. “My wife, Marjorie, and I watched The Doctors Every Day and are now huge fans of the show.”
Rieu with the stars from “The Young Doctors” Elisa Agbaglah and Lion Wasczyk (right), who visited him at his concert in Erfurt in June 2022
Because: “We are thrilled how these great young doctors take care of their patients and try to save lives, but also behave like normal young people who are sometimes in love, like to go to the cinema or to a bar or fight .”
Rieu: “These young doctors got me through the pandemic!”
