It's a declaration of love to perhaps the most beautiful city in the world: On 7 November 2014, André Rieu releases his new album, "Love in Venice". Fans of the most successful violinist of modern times can look forward to a popular selection of the most well-known Italian melodies, including "O sole mio", "Volare", "Azzurro", "Santa Lucia", "Tiritomba"; the famous barcarole by Jacques Offenbach, the Lagoon Waltz by Johann Strauss as well as the Toselli Serenade. An exclusive highlight on the new album will be three of André Rieu's own compositions, released for the first time, all of which are dedicated to Venice!

André Rieu: "I'm asked in almost every interview I do whether I'm a romantic. Of course I am! Venice, La Serenissima, is for me the epitome of romance. For many years, my wife and I have taken our own personal trip once a year to Italy - I'm a big fan of the Italian way of life. And so my new album is a declaration of love to Venice and the fantastic music of this country. And I hope that it will bring back the happiest of memories for you, the listener."

This year's open-air concerts will be held in the romantic Dutch square, the Vrijthof in Maastricht, under the title "An Italian Night". They start next Friday, 04 July at 9pm. Over eight concerts on weekends in July, André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra will captivate 60,000 viewers from across the world, and night after night take them on a journey to Italy.