Latest news with #AndréRieu
Toronto Star
7 days ago
- Toronto Star
I'm a perfectionist planner. My husband is not. For our 25th anniversary, we took a whirlwind trip to Italy with a bare-bones itinerary
On a sun-drenched April afternoon in the hilltop town of Cortona, my husband, David, and I are sitting, pistachio gelato in hand, on a wooden bench just off the piazza that Dutch violinist André Rieu dubbed Italy's most romantic square. We're overlooking the 13th-century town hall, which evokes a castle with its balcony and bell tower. From the grand stone staircase of Piazza della Repubblica, generations of newlyweds have started lives, descending into the heart of this ancient walled city.
Hamilton Spectator
7 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
I'm a perfectionist planner. My husband is not. For our 25th anniversary, we took a whirlwind trip to Italy with a bare-bones itinerary
On a sun-drenched April afternoon in the hilltop town of Cortona, my husband, David, and I are sitting, pistachio gelato in hand, on a wooden bench just off the piazza that Dutch violinist André Rieu dubbed Italy's most romantic square. We're overlooking the 13th-century town hall, which evokes a castle with its balcony and bell tower. From the grand stone staircase of Piazza della Repubblica, generations of newlyweds have started lives, descending into the heart of this ancient walled city. 'This is what it's all about,' David says as we watch the scene unfold. His words settle something inside me. We're in Italy on a whirlwind trip to mark our 25th wedding anniversary, and for once, I have no itinerary. It's thrilling. The writer and her husband on their wedding day, 25 years ago. The approach of our milestone anniversary was a keen reminder that time prioritizes no one — but I should. Especially this relationship, which has given life such shape. The mindset shift made me, usually the perfectionist planner, take stock. Could we show up in Tuscany and Rome and wing it? Hardly. But orchestrating everything and trying to do it all? Exhausting. So I surprised myself and my easygoing husband by sketching out the most bare-bones plan, with only glancing nods to some must-sees, and many days left wide open. Our skimpy planning allows for serendipity. That's how we find ourselves stopping to explore when a town, thermal spring or enchanting view catches our whim, slowing down as we zip through Val d'Orcia in a rental car. Filled with fields, farmhouses and stands of cypress trees, the Tuscan countryside is so idyllic that the movie 'Gladiator' used it to portray heaven: General Maximus's Spanish home. The beautiful countryside of Val d'Orcia, in southern Tuscany. In Cinque Terre, in Italy's northwest, it's raining steadily as our ferry docks in Vernazza, the fourth of five centuries-old fishing villages located, improbably, in the cliffs. The downpour splashes over café umbrellas, deserted patios and gozzo boats. The weather may not be perfect, but I'm still smiling. I beam at David. Come what may, we're in this together. We grab hands, spurred by playful spontaneity, and dash for refuge inside a 13th-century Catholic church, Santa Margherita d'Antiochia, rising at Vernazza's edge. Candlelight flickers on weathered walls, the darkened stone interior redolent of the Ligurian Sea. In glorious Florence, the city's beauty astounds us in the open-air statues, in squares and museums, and at Ponte Vecchio, the bridge spanning the Arno River. But David and I don't need monumental sights to be happy. Our favourite memories on this trip are of lingering in trattorias, getting lost, and eating decadent cake — lemon, chocolate, hazelnut — at hotel breakfasts (it's an Italian thing!). I sometimes forget we've abandoned an itinerary. Our days feel full, even if we're just relaxing on a marble ledge in a town square or chatting with a friendly shopkeeper. It's more than OK to be here doing 'nothing' together. Away from home, we're reminded of who we are at our core, beyond the busy working parents who've raised three kids. We're still the people we once were. And also the people we've become. In the last quarter-century, there have been babies born, a house bought, a mortgage paid off, a blur of swim lessons, graduations and greying temples that suddenly put us on the other side of 50. Not young, but young at heart. Left: Shelley Cameron-McCarron and her husband, David, in Cinque Terre. Right: The writer taking in Rome's Colosseum. As we travel from the Sistine Chapel to Siena's shell-shaped main square, where bareback jockeys famously dash for glory, I feel we're chasing ghosts, flashes of our former selves. I remember us as hopeful newlyweds, giddy with excitement, with little cash but huge chutzpah fuelling our dreams. In Montepulciano, Tuscany, we stay at Borgo San Vincenzo, a historic farmstead turned boutique hotel set among the vineyards. One night, over hand-rolled pici al ragu in the outdoor pergola, in the soft glow of the sinking sun, I feel both present and lost in yesteryear. We're not just celebrating 25 years but all the moments in between. 'What's been your favourite experience?' I ask. David's answer echoes mine. 'Time with you.'
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cinema concert of famous violinist coming to County Durham and Darlington
Violinist André Rieu's annual Maastricht concert is set to light up cinemas in County Durham and Darlington. Waltz the Night Away will be screened in more than 600 cinemas across the UK, including ODEON Luxe in Durham, Gala Theatre, and Vue in Darlington, bringing the magic of the Dutch violinist's world-famous show to the big screen. Maastricht's Vrijthof Square will once again be transformed into a glittering open-air ballroom, marking 25 years since Mr Rieu began performing there with his Johann Strauss Orchestra. Mr Rieu said: "The Vrijthof is a very special place for me. I grew up in Maastricht, my heart beats here. The annual Maastricht concert (Image: Andre Rieu Productions) "These concerts are a great celebration every year – for my city, for my orchestra and for fans from all over the world. "I'm really looking forward to sharing unforgettable evenings full of music and joy with you in cinemas around the world." Up to 150,000 fans are expected to gather in Maastricht for the live performance, while audiences across the UK will be able to enjoy the concert from the comfort of their nearest cinema. The programme will feature a selection of timeless melodies and waltzes, including the Beautiful Blue Danube by Johann Strauss II, Radetzkymarch by Johann Strauss I, and a heartfelt rendition of Elvis Presley's Can't Help Falling in Love. READ MORE: Meet the Darlington hospital consultant who runs as a dolphin to protect the ocean Campaign calls on public to help protect North East coastline County Durham school is rewarded for excelling in national walking initiative This year's concert will also feature special guest Emma Kok, the young Dutch singer who first impressed Mr Rieu at age 15 with her performance of Voilà on The Voice Kids. Classic FM and Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins will provide exclusive backstage access and an interview with Mr Rieu, available only to cinemagoers. The concert, also to be shown at Vue Hartlepool, will be screened in the UK for one weekend only, on August 30 and 31, with select encore screenings to follow. Tickets are on sale now at
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
André Rieu's 2025 concert to be screened in Bournemouth cinema
André Rieu's 2025 Maastricht concert will be broadcast in more than 600 UK cinemas, including one in Bournemouth.. The performances on Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31 will feature the violinist and his orchestra in Vrijthof Square, Maastricht. Highlights will include The Blue Danube waltz and Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley. Rieu will be joined by special guests, including The Voice Kids star Emma Kok. André Rieu's 2025 Maastricht concert to screen in 600+ UK cinemas (Image: Marcel van Hoorn) Rieu said: "The Vrijthof is a very special place for me. "I grew up in Maastricht, my heart beats here. "These concerts are a great celebration every year - for my city, for my orchestra and for fans from all over the world. "I'm really looking forward to sharing unforgettable evenings full of music and joy with you in cinemas around the world." Charlotte Hawkins from Classic FM will provide backstage access and an interview with Rieu for cinema audiences. The concerts mark 20 years of André Rieu's Vrijthof Square performances, which attract nearly 150,000 people each year. The cinema screening is presented by Piece of Magic Entertainment. The company specialises in theatrical distribution of documentaries, feature films, anime, live gaming events and concerts. For more information on the screenings and to book tickets, visit
Glasgow Times
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
André Rieu to perform at Glasgow OVO Hydro - here's when
The globally-renowned musician, who is best known for creating the waltz-playing Johann Strauss Orchestra, will be performing at the West End venue on September 10, 2026. READ NEXT: André Rieu talks love affair with Scotland ahead of Glasgow gig (Image: Image by Janita Sassen) It comes after Rieu performed in the city earlier this year on April 5. The Glasgow Times previously reported that one-hit wonders Los del Río took joined Rieu during the city show. The Spanish band, who rose to fame in the 90s with their hit Macarena, delighted the audience with a performance of their classic track. READ NEXT: 90s one-hit wonders surprise Hydro audience at André Rieu show Tickets for the upcoming city show will go live on June 6 at 12pm. To purchase tickets, click HERE OVO Live will be running a pre-sale on June 4 at 12pm. To sign up, visit
