André Rieu will be presented with a very colourful gift on his 74th birthday on Sunday: a new violin. Not a Stradivarius, but a cheerful autumn bloomer for the garden, balcony and terrace. The violinist and orchestra leader baptizes his new Viola 'André Rieu' with champagne at the Vrijthof. The garden plant with an intense colour range of yellow, red and orange was presented to him as a tribute by Dutch violet growers. Wim Hillenaar, mayor of Maastricht, presents the colourful gift. The cheerful violins will shine on the terraces of the catering industry along the Vrijthof this autumn and winter. Passers-by were also spontaneously treated to bowls with the new violin.
Viola 'André Rieu' is a new large-flowered violet that blooms in autumn and winter. During the flowering period, the upright flowers look at you, as it were. The frost-resistant plant maintains a compact shape due to the short flower stems. Viola 'André Rieu' was bred by Syngenta Flowers from Enkhuizen and will be available at garden centres from autumn 2024.
Andre gives his Viola a good watering (I am assured it was the best quality champagne not water or wine!)
