Urgent:Andre Rieu Rushed to the hospital in a critical condition
Appearance: 50% Nigel Kennedy, 30% Liberace, 20% pantomime footman. What kind of a name is Rieu? It’s like the hand from hell in Scrabble. C’est français, petit idiot. He’s a frog? His ancestors were; Rieu himself is Dutch. But we don’t call them frogs on G2. Nor do we make jokes about clogs, windmills, tulips, bestiality or Edam.
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He’s a frog? His ancestors were; Rieu himself is Dutch. But we don’t call them frogs on G2. Nor do we make jokes about clogs, windmills, tulips, bestiality or Edam. Excuse me while I tear up my questions . . . So who exactly is this chap? He’s one of the world’s bestselling classical musicians. He’s been playing the violin since he was five and right now he’s got five albums in the classical top 10.
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This classical top 10 sounds a wee bit lowbrow, but still – five albums! How does Rieu do it? He is one hell of a showman, pouring millions into his concerts, and never worried about going over the top. One tour featured a replica of a Viennese palace, complete with two ice rinks, a ballroom, golden chandeliers, a hand-painted ceiling and working fountains. As well as a 60-strong orchestra, featuring a remarkable number of attractive young women, he usually throws in a few dozen horses and/or pipers.
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At finally we discover where Lady Gaga got her inspiration. What kind of music does he play? Vivaldi, Bach? Some obscure numbers from eastern Europe? Not when it counts. I Could Have Danced All Night, Edelweiss, and The Blue Danube are among his concert selections. He also enjoys singing along; while in Australia, he performed the theme song from Neighbours. When he says, “I play the music that strikes my heart,” “My fans react with theirs because of this.”
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