Andre Rieu's Historic Forever Vienna to Be Released on June 29

LOS ANGELES, June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- International superstar Andre Rieu has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, travels with an entourage of more than 100 people including his own Johann Strauss Orchestra, and was the biggest solo male touring artist of 2009.  Earlier this year, Rieu made British pop chart history when his album of Strauss waltzes, Forever Vienna, reached #2 on the U.K. Album Charts, overtaking established pop acts Paolo Nutini, Corinne Bailey Rae, Florence and the Machine and Lady Gaga.  Demand for the album was so high in the first week that all shops ran out of copies.  

Now, American audiences will have the opportunity to experience the record that is both Britain's highest-charting orchestral album ever and the first album of 19th Century music to appear on the pop charts.  On June 29, Forever Vienna, which features some of the greatest performances from the Dutch violinist, conductor and composer, will be released in the U.S. through Universal Music Enterprises (UMe).

The release will be previewed when Rieu and his renowned Johann Strauss Orchestra make a highly anticipated appearance on the TODAY show on June 16, before launching the "Celebration of Music" 2010 North American Tour on June 18 at New York's Nassau Coliseum.  

On June 29, a special CD+DVD edition of Forever Vienna will also be released in the U.S. Beloved titles such as the "Strauss & Co," "Carnival Of Venice," "Wine, Women And Song" and many more—all arranged by Rieu—are featured on the CD.  The DVD features stunning highlights from two of Rieu's recent worldwide concerts: "Live In Australia" and "Live in Maastricht III," including a stirring tribute to Michael Jackson with a performance of "Ben," commemorating the one-year anniversary of the singer's untimely death, and a breathtaking version of "Amazing Grace," accompanied by the 100-member Australian Pipe Band.  A ten-track CD edition will also be available.  Complete content listings for both versions of Forever Vienna can be found below.

Pre-orders are available now for the Forever Vienna CD+DVD.   Pre-orders are also available for the ten-track CD.

The aptly titled "Celebration of Music" tour describes what fans can expect to experience during Rieu's 2010 North American performances.  These aren't ordinary concerts, but celebrations of music in all its glory, featuring Rieu accompanied by his 55-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra.  The North American tour kicks off on June 18 in New York and then resumes in November, with four sold-out concerts in Mexico that will find Rieu performing for nearly 40,000 avid, local fans.

Rieu's recent sold-out world stadium tour has the biggest transportable set-up ever, made up of a life-size replica of the Viennese Schonbrunn castle featuring fountains, ice rinks, horse-drawn carriages and flying angels.  The complete tour itinerary can be found below.

"Music is the most wonderful thing in the world – it triggers emotions," says Andre Rieu. "I want to bring joy with an ode to waltzes, polkas, romantic ballads and many more beautiful melodies. It will be a very special night."

Andre Rieu's onstage charisma and rock-star demeanor make his shows the only classical concerts where people literally jump to their feet and dance in the aisles. Billboard magazine named his 2009 tour as the sixth best seller of the year, with more than 835,000 tickets sold worldwide (in league with such superstars as U2, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen,  AC/DC and Madonna).  His tours have even outsold superstars like Celine Dion, Elton John and Billy Joel. 

Forever Vienna CD/DVD track list:

CD

1. Strauss & Co
2. The Second Waltz
3. Carnival Of Venice
4. Strauss Party
5. Dark Eyes
6. Lips Are Sealed
7. Danube Love Medley
8. Fascination
9. Cielito Lindo
10. Red Rose Cafe
11. Vilja Song
12. Vienna Blood
13. Dancing Through The Skies
14. Wine, Women And Song
15. On Holiday
16. The Gypsy Princess

DVD

1. Andre Rieu – King of Waltz – Introduction
2. Seventy-Six Trombones [NTSC Version]
3. Roses From The South [NTSC Version Edit]
4. Ben [Live in Maastricht Edit]
5. On The Beautiful Blue Danube [NTSC Version Edit]
6. Radetzky March [NTSC Version]
7. Strauss & Co. [Live in Maastricht Edit]
8. Scotland The Brave [NTSC Version Edit]
9. Amazing Grace [NTSC Version Edit]
10. You'll Never Walk Alone [Live in Maastricht Edit]

Forever Vienna 10 Track CD Version song list:

1. Carnival Of Venice
2. Cielito Lindo
3. Dancing Through The Skies
4. Danube Love Medley
5. On Holiday
6. The Second Waltz
7. Strauss Party
8. Vienna Blood
9. Vilja Song
10. Wine, Women And Song

"CELEBRATION OF MUSIC TOUR"

ANDRE RIEU AND HIS JOHANN STRAUSS ORCHESTRA

For complete tour and ticket information, visit: www.andrerieu.com.

SOURCE Universal Music Enterprises