Maestro Of The Masses

Maestro and violinist André Rieu doesn’t travel lightly.

That will be obvious when he takes the stage at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, March 13 at 8 p.m., accompanied by his 60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra (the largest private orchestra in the world), the Platin Tenors and a myriad of international soloists. 

“André Rieu will give you what you’ve come to expect from his performances: the maestro conducting his orchestra and playing his world-famous Stradivarius violin to create a colorful concert full of surprises,” notes his website. “The repertoire ranges from romantic, emotional ballads to the most gorgeous and celebrated waltzes.”

Adds Rieu, “My concerts are about joy and love. We should make decisions in our lives with our hearts, not our heads. People often ask me ‘how do you choose your program?’ The answer is: with my heart.”

Rieu — whose father was a conductor — has been fascinated by music since he was a child. “I remember the huge orchestra and the wonderful sound it made, all those bows moving together. I thought it was fantastic,” he writes on his website. “At one of our concerts you’ll see me and the orchestra, and the audience too, all having a lot of fun together. Swaying with the music, humming along, clapping, jumping up and down. It all happens.” O

For more information, call 954-835-7000 or visit thebbtcenter.com.