New André Rieu release to celebrate orchestra's 25th anniversary

22 January 2013, 15:55 | Updated: 22 January 2013, 16:07

André Rieu reveals the details of his forthcoming releases on CD and DVD/Blu-Ray, coinciding with the silver jubilee of the Johann Strauss Orchestra.

Dutch violinist and orchestra leader André Rieu is due to release a DVD/Blu-Ray and CD to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the orchestra he founded, the Johann Strauss Orchestra, as well as pay tribute to his hometown of Maastricht. The new recordings are expected to be released in February or March 2013, depending on territories.

The DVD/Blu-Ray, entitled Happy Birthday! 25 years of the Johann Strauss Orchestra, is a celebration of the orchestra's history and includes a special anniversary concert from Vrijthof Square in Maastricht.

According to Rieu's website, the release will showcase some of the orchestra's varied guests from over the years: "Frédéric Jenniges with his zither, Carla Maffioletti with her virtuoso aria Adèle's Laughing Song (Mein Herr Marquis), the Mastreechter Staar male voice choir, the Platinum Tenors, the seductive Carmen Monarcha with Habanera, Kimmy Skota with the emotional Casta Diva, a reunion with our Russian friends from St Petersburg, and much more…"

The new CD, which is called In Love With Maastricht - A Tribute To My Hometown, will feature material relating to the town itself and the Johann Strauss Orchestra's now-traditional concerts in Vrijthof Square.

Rieu comments on the CD and his hometown: "I love this city more than any other place in the world. And it has been a pleasure and honour to record some of the highlights and melodies that have made these Maastricht shows so special over the past decade. And at the end of the album you can hear me sing with all the power in my lungs: 'I’m in love with Maastricht!'"

Rieu's previous album, Magic of the Movies, topped the classical chart and went into the top five in the UK Official Album Charts.