Violin master André Rieu, one of the best-selling live acts in the world, is returning to the U.S. and Canada with a brand new show.  Rieu will hit 12 cities on this tour including the west coast and Vancouver and will perform at Orlando’s Amway Center on March 7, 2013.  Tickets go on sale on October 26 at 10:00am. The Orlando concert will be part of Rieu's international "And The Waltz Goes On Tour," named after his successful album for which he collaborated with Sir Anthony Hopkins.

Ode to the waltz

Billboard ranked Rieu’s 2011 tour as the ninth highest-grossing tour of the year, just behind Lady Gaga. He has broken all classical concert records, packing stadiums and arenas with more than 700,000 adoring fans each year. Rieu has sold over 32 million albums globally and received 330 platinum awards for his albums. With his natural charisma, Rieu conducts his 60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra and plays his 1732 Stradivarius violin to create a celebratory atmosphere.

"Every night when I perform around the world, I’m able to witness what the waltz does with the audience. People get out of their seats and waltz in the aisles spontaneously. They sing, they smile and for a moment, they forget all their worries and are happy. That is why this tour is an ode to the waltz!" says Rieu.

More than waltzes

Sure, the maestro and his orchestra will perform beautiful waltzes on this tour, but the concerts are much more than that. From famous Viennese operettas to film scores, spirituals to musicals and from folk songs to marches; Rieu's concerts are a perfect blend of thrilling, romantic, festive and emotional melodies combined with surprises, beautiful soloists and of course, Rieu's great sense of humor.

Breaking records in 2012

So far, 2012 has been a very successful year for the violinist. Rieu gave a record-breaking series of 30 sold out concerts in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He won a Classic BRIT award for his album "And The Waltz Goes On" and is nominated for a prestigious Mexican Luna award. With his first tour in Brazil, Rieu reached the number one position in Pollstar’s Box Office Chart of highest-grossing tours in July.  His tour outperformed the likes of artists such as, Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, Radiohead, Coldplay, Celine Dion, The Black Keys and Pearl Jam.

On October 30, Rieu’s record company, Universal Music will release Home For The Holidays on CD, DVD and Blu-ray™.

TICKETS:  $39, $75, $99 & $139.  Buy tickets at AmwayCenter.com, Amway Center box office, Ticketmaster retail locations, charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000 or at Ticketmaster.com.  All dates, act(s) and ticket prices are subject to change without notice.  All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, service, handling and facility fee charges.  For Amway Center box office and ticket information, visit amwaycenter.com (phone purchases are not available through the Amway Center box office).  The Amway Center is located at 400 West Church Street and the box office is located on the north side of the Amway Center, near the intersection of Church Street and Hughey Avenue.