André Rieu Sets International Milestone by Reaching 500 Platinum Awards Worldwide

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André Rieu Sets International Milestone by Reaching 500 Platinum Awards Worldwide

Universal Music Surprises the Violinist and Conductor with a Special Award!

08 March 2018 (Toronto, ON) - André Rieu has set a new milestone, and one which is not found anywhere else in the international world of music. Since the beginning of his extraordinary career, and since the start of the partnership with Polydor/Universal in 1995, the violinist and conductor has reached the magic number of 500 platinum awards in total for worldwide sales of albums and DVDs.

Universal Music took the opportunity, following a concert in Berlin’s Mercedes Benz Arena, to honour this global star with an exceptional and unique award. Presented by Tom Bohne, President Music Universal Music Germany, André Rieu received a stunning Chrome Violin to commemorate his remarkable sales success generated all over the world, and in gratitude for their faithful and fruitful collaboration.

Bohne said, "André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra are amongst the most successful artists in the popular classical music field. He's a global star. But what's even more important: When he performs, the people forget everything around them and they fully merge into the music. We're proud and fortunate to accompany such an awesome artist like André all over these years."

"My Johann Strauss Orchestra and myself are absolutely happy and proud of this special award,” said Rieu. “From my deepest heart, I would like to thank all of our wonderful und loyal fans all over the world who have made this success possible. Our partner, Universal Music, did a fabulous job over the years and I’m also very grateful for their support."

His first album, Strauss & Co., meant the breakthrough in the German market for this always friendly musician from Maastricht and his Johann Strauss Orchestra. Soon other countries, and even other continents, followed. Throughout the world, his albums and concert tickets always sell quickly and he regularly breaks sales records. To date, he has sold 40 million albums and each year he performs in front of 600,000 people.

In November of last year, André Rieu released his latest album, Amore, consisting of 18 brand new studio tracks. In addition, the anniversary DVD Magic of Maastricht - 30 Years Johann Strauss Orchestra has been issued, which wonderfully shows the romantic open-air atmosphere during the annual Maastricht residency concerts. This year they have been scheduled once again for July with a record number of 13 events. From March onwards, André Rieu and his Orchestra are back on the road for another global tour where they will appear in Mexico City, Tel Aviv, Cologne, Salzburg, Zagreb, Kraków, Prague, Vienna, Copenhagen, New York, Detroit, Washington, Montreal, Buenos Aires, Melbourne, Sydney, and more. He's truly a music conqueror of the world!

Photo (left to right):

Mark Wilkinson (VP International Strategy & Artists Development, Global Classics), Sandra Leonhardt (Senior Manager International Marketing Universal Music Germany), Dickon Stainer (President and CEO of Global Classics Universal Music), André Rieu, Tom Bohne (President Music Universal Music Germany), Graham Parker (President Universal Music Classics USA).

Photocredit: André Rieu Productions

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