André Rieu Pledges 700 Tons Steel from Stage Set toward Notre Dame Restoration
Popular violinist André Rieu is known for his lavish and larger-than-life stage sets; here's one thing to do with all that infrastructure, after the show is over:
"Deeply shocked by the dramatic images from Paris. We would like to provide our 700 tons of steel, used for the set of Schönbrunn Castle, to help erect the scaffold for the restoration of beautiful Notre-Dame," Rieu announced Tuesday, via Twitter.
Deeply shocked by the dramatic images from Paris. We would like to provide our 700 tons of steel, used for the set of Schönbrunn Castle, to help erect the scaffold for the restauration of beautiful Notre-Dame. pic.twitter.com/vnmomLK82j
— André Rieu (@andrerieu) April 16, 2019
Rieu got a lot of publicity after building that set for a 2008 tour. He nearly went bankrupt, dropping £24m to recreate a stage version of the Vienna's Schönbrunn Castle, according to The Telegraph.
"My castle was the best set ever built for an artist," Rieu told the Telegraph in 2015. "Of course, recreating a castle was completely stupid, so it was my worst financial decision but also my best, because it bought the best publicity."
When it came to the money, the bank manager allowed Rieu to "play it back."
EDITOR'S UPDATE: André Rieu has confirmed with Violinist.com that he intends to provide the steel for free. In an e-mail to Violinist.com, his publicist said that "discussions are being held. He is not going to sell it to them. He's offered to provide it as long as it is needed (without cost)."
You might also like:
- Interview with Violinist André Rieu
- Discussion: Do you Rieu?
- A Visit to Paris (w/pictures inside and outside Notre Dame)
Replies
"Provide" -- donate, I think! But good skeptical question, I'll see if I can find out..
If he didn't out and out donate, he could sell it for a small fraction, just enough to cover the shipping and handling of all that steel. I think that would be a fair option.
The Dutch news said he offered to donate it.
He could get it back in 5 yrs once there is no more need for scaffolding (in theory).
To David's question: I e-mailed André Rieu's assistant, and they e-mailed back to confirm that he intends to provide the steel for free. Please see the editor's note that I added to the story, above.
Bless him! I have liked him since he recorded a march composed by my grandfather's cousin. I have nothing bad to say about him.
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April 17, 2019 at 05:27 PM · Is the offer to donate it, or sell it?