Canadian COVID testing regulation brings halt to international concert tour bound for Vancouver
Fans of Dutch violinist and conductor André Rieu have been told Saturday’s sold-out concert at Pacific Coliseum has been postponed.
In an email sent Thursday, concert organizers wrote that they have “very sad news.”
“Again, COVID has put a halt to our tour. More than 20 of our group tested positive,” it reads. “We are so sorry for the fans in Tacoma and Vancouver.”
The musical group described as being as successful as “some the biggest global pop and rock music acts” had just been touring in the United States.
André Rieu’s son and show producer Pierre, told CTV News the group discovered the outbreak while getting ready to cross into Canada.
“Due to the border crossing, everybody had to test, and all of a sudden 20 people tested positive,” said Pierre Rieu.
Those testing positive included members of the choir and several musicians.
Rieu and his orchestra are famous for turning classical and waltz music into worldwide concerts. The musician has sold millions of dollars’ worth of CDs and DVDs.
“This guy is the biggest thing since sliced bread,” said Vancouver ticket broker Kingsley Bailey. “He’s like the Liberace of the new millennium.”
A new date for Vancouver’s concert has not yet been decided, but Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra are scheduled to begin touring in Europe next month.
Pierre Rieu hopes they can return to Vancouver in September 2023.
“We would love to have seen it differently,” wrote concert organizers to fans. “Thank you for your love and support as always.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Parliamentary report on Emergencies Act decision is 18 months past due — and counting
The erstwhile group of senators and MPs studying the federal government's invocation of the Emergencies Act over the "Freedom Convoy" was supposed to present its findings in December. December of 2022, that is.
Drone footage shows Ukrainian village battered to ruins as residents flee Russian advance
The Ukrainian village of Ocheretyne has been battered by fighting, drone footage obtained by The Associated Press shows. The village has been a target for Russian forces in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Egypt media cite progress in truce talks as Israel downplays chances of end to war with Hamas
A delegation of the Palestinian militant group Hamas was in Cairo on Saturday as Egyptian state media reported "noticeable progress" in ongoing cease-fire talks with Israel while an Israeli official downplayed the prospects for a full end to the war.
Bystander livestreams during Charlotte standoff show an ever-growing appetite for social media video
Saing Chhoeun was locked out of his Charlotte, N.C., home on Monday as law enforcement with high-powered rifles descended into his yard and garage, using a car as a shield as they were met with a shower of gunfire from the direction of his neighbor's house.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.