January 18, 2025 The Limburger, by Joost Phillippens Translation: Ineke, edited by John. Thanks to Jaya for her permission to use her designs on our website. The discussion about: “What should Maastricht do after Rieu?” is a sensitive one. What if André Rieu wants or has to stop? The “succession” is a sensitive issue in Maastricht, except for the 75-year-old stand-alone violinist himself. Perhaps the solution will come from Vienna. On the way to a brand name that does have eternal life. Maastricht without André Rieu? It seems unthinkable, but even the world-famous stand-alone violinist does not have eternal life. If he stops, the Vrijthof and its surroundings are in danger of becoming quiet in the summer. No more tourists, no full hotels and restaurants. The peace and quiet will be a relief for some Maastricht residents, but economically that is a different story. In 2019, “ZuydHogeschool” calculated that Rieu will generate more than 30 million Euros annually for the provincial capital. That amount doesn't sound strange to those who consider that the previously quiet summer city, is now busting for weeks. In recent years, his winter performances in the MECC have been added to that. More than 200,000 visitors, many of whom come from abroad. André Rieu as a person seems irreplaceable. His vulnerability first became apparent in March 2024, when he had to cancel his concert series in Mexico due to illness. This caused unrest among GroenLinks (political party) council member Mark Mülders, who suggested shortly afterwards during a political meeting: "Isn't it wise to think about "What do we do after André Rieu?" Mülders' statement led to publicity, because the city owes so much to Rieu that the mere allusion to his succession may seem misplaced. The feeling prevails: it is up to Rieu to determine "his" moment himself. After all, the violinist is "only" 75 years old. Respectful. Mülders still wants to open the door cautiously. "Engage in a respectful conversation" he says. "With a view to the future: Is Rieu prepared to give up a week for other initiatives, for example?" Mülders spoke to civil servants and alderman John Aarts (VVD political party) in recent months. The latter says he sees no reason to sound out Rieu out yet. "I am waiting for the advice of a council working group." Mülders has just exchanged the Maastricht council chamber for the political arena in the provincial government building: “I hope that someone will take up this challenge”. Clerk Peter Peters was exploring the theme of “future prospects for major events” with Mülders: “There is no council working group. This is Mark’s baby, now the municipal council will have to take it on.” Kitty Nuyts (Liberal Party Maastricht), who organized 150 concerts at the Vrijthof for five years in December around the year 2000, wants to take over from Mülders. But not just like that. “We are a year before the elections. I am not going to stick my neck out without the assurance that it will be taken seriously. Earlier the municipality thwarted my idea for a major fireworks show at the Maas”. In short: the discussion seems to be dying. Mülders, who has just left, gives some more considerations. If Rieu allows space, commercial parties will undoubtedly come forward, he thinks. According to reliable sources, Albert Verlinde (theater producer) wanted a version of “The Sound of Music” on the Vrijthof for ten days four years ago. The Maastricht choreographer and director Jerôme Knols, who lives in Vienna, also comes forward. A “Summerfestival” as an alternative for the now 75-year-old Rieu could be an opportunity in the long term, is his vision. “Maastricht is the ideal place for such a summer spectacle with musicals of a very high standard. Start small, take advantage of the different atmospheres on the squares, such as the Markt, Onze-Lieve- Vrouweplein and Onze Lieve Vrouwewal. Start parallel to that when Rieu plays on the Vrijthof”. Jerôme Knols does not want to impose himself. But if I were asked, that would be my idea. I have established my name in Germany and Austria, but also want to come back. Emotionally, I am just a Maastricht native. Brand name. The core message: Rieu cannot be replaced, so Maastricht must go from one artist to a summer festival; to a brand name that has eternal life. “In that case, there are many options”, says Mülders. “You can think of Opera Zuid or Guido Dieteren with Eros Ramazotti, as they perform together during Symfonica in Rosso, or the Philzuid. Also think of a seated concert by world stars such as Andre Bocelli”. If that new summer festival succeeds, Americans, Swedes and Australians will continue to come to Maastricht in the future, Mülders expects. He also sees great benefit in the piano brothers Lucas and Arthur Jussen, who will perform Carmina Burana four times this autumn at the MECC. Maastricht Marketing also points to the experiment with the Jussen-brothers. "Not that they are going to replace Rieu, but you hope that it can become something," says Leontien Mees. She likes the summer festival idea of Knols and Mülders. "Spreading could certainly be a good thing, because we are of course quite worried about the time after Rieu. On the other hand: that's life." But what now? The council faction of Volt (political party) reports. At the end of last year, she devoted a passage to the end of Rieu in the booklet “10 challenges for our future.”. Romy Frijters: “Nobody talks about that, the discussion about “after Rieu” must be taken out of the political bubble. Have a broad conversation throughout Maastricht. As far as we are concerned, this can be done, for example by dedicating an episode of the Sphinx debate-series to it.” The world-famous Maastricht violinist himself, last but not least, has no intention of stopping anytime soon, in fact, he starts to concentrate more and more on his hometown, in summer and winter. This year he will give eighty concerts, twelve of which he will be on The Vrijthof (all sold out) and six to eight in the MECC. “I will simply turn 140”, Rieu has already joked. Son Pierre says that his father will abide by any municipal decision. “If they want a festival and he has to go back from twelve to six days, then we will do that. Although I have to say that six concerts are hardly profitable”. All in all, Pierre sees the burgeoning discussion as a great compliment. “Apparently people see the great value of my father. So, it is very positive that they are thinking about the future. We would like to have a say in that”.