Biz - A Maestro for the Masses

I first came across Andre Rieu when I was teaching my kids about St. Patrick’s Day and was searching for classical Irish music. He is headline news in the Wall Street Journal’s Weekend Journal section for June 4, 2010.

Few people know of him but the article states, “Mr. Rieu grossed about $96 million on tour last year. That haul landed him at No. 6 among the world’s top touring acts, according to Billboard’s 2009 tally – ranked just below U2, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen and above Britney Spears, Coldplay and Metallica.” The classical musical critics hate him, probably because he is very successful and makes too much money. Capitalism is about allowing consumers to make personal choices to decide, including what music they want to listen too. This is why ITunes and IPods are so popular, kids can choose their own music.

My kids even listen to his music and the songs below are in our ITunes library. Below is the song Irish Washerwoman. The gentleman in the silver hair is John Sheahan (from the Irish group Dubliners) and Andre Rieu when he was much younger than the sixty years old he is today.



Credits to: Wall Street Journal, June 4th edition, the article by John Jurgensen. Videographers: Irish Washerwoman - Escoscando]