For the first time ever an award commemorating Australian wholesale shipments of albums and DVDs worth $50 million has been presented.
President of Universal Music Australasia, George Ash, has presented Maestro Andre Rieu with an award that commemorates Australian wholesale album and DVD shipments worth $50 million.
Over the past five years Andre Rieu has been the highest selling music artist in the Australian market, and there is no arguing the fact that he is the most popular classical artist in Australia. Andre Rieu is in the country performing his third national concert tour at the moment.
George Ash had this to say about the exceptional achievement:
‘André’s sales success is truly remarkable. His new CDs and DVDs continue to sell extremely well. No artist has chalked up as many Gold and Platinum awards for sales in Australia as André. He is a true phenomenon with a very special connection to all of us here in Australia and is dedicated to bringing classical music to the widest possible audience. I congratulate André on this outstanding award and his continued success in Australia.’
Andre Rieu was, understandably, visibly moved by the presentation and commented:
‘To all my friends and fans, and to my record company, Universal Music, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. And I’d also like to thank the Australian media for their continued support. Australia is my land of adoption, my second home, and every visit I make only strengthens my alliance with this amazing land and its beautiful people.’
Sales of Andre Rieu DVDs in Australia have earned a massive 134 Platinum sales awards along with two Gold sales awards. He has sold over 30 million CDs and DVDs worldwide; over three million of them in Australia alone.
Andre Rieu Presents Mirusia – Always & Forever is Rieu’s current DVD, which is in it’s 4th week holding down the #1 spot on the ARIA DVD chart. Fiesta Mexicana! is his next DVD release and it will be released on May 28.
Andre Rieu, with his orchestra and soloists, have this month performed in Australia and the concerts have included a special collaboration with The Seekers.
Andre Rieu’s Celebration of Music Australian tour concludes this week with the Brisbane shows on May 18th and 19th.
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