Kerstin Cornelis - The Lady Behind The Maestro - Andre Rieu
She runs her legs off for him every day. She knows his pluses and his weaknesses . She knows what he prefers to eat and is not a threat to his wife. Kerstin Cornelis has been the force behind superstar André Rieu for nine years! In an exclusive interview with Privé she says "we have never had a smack down fight and I sing very out of tune but Andre is not minding".
By: Barbara Plugge
Photos: Albert Den Isleger and ANP
"The concerts in Maastricht on the Vrijthof were five days long, fifty-five thousand people in euphoria, not an empty chair to find. This was my work location. At 9:30 in the morning. I was running around in my sneakers". The people do not know Kerstin Cornelis but Andre does not know what he would do without her. She has been his shadow for nine years, the buffer between the superstar and the rest of the world as the orchestra goes on tour. "I am not his secretary, I am his right hand on tour".
The blonde Belgian, in the book "The boss, the boss" by Rita Hammelink (Published by Haystack) reveals the private details about her special relationship with the big orchestra leader.
No, Andre's wife Marjorie is not consumed by jealousy and was not involved with the hiring."I met Marjorie after accepting the job. I first had a conversation with two gentlemen and they felt that they had to have Andre introduced to me. When we first met he had just returned from his tennis lesson. He was wearing his jogging clothes. We talked for about a quarter of an hour. A week later I started the job.
I think it is important for Marjorie that her husband has found someone with whom he can collaborate. She is a super nice woman and the other half of Andre. They do everything together. Marjorie writes the texts; everything said on stage comes from her. They do not always go on tour together because she does not like to fly."
Usually Kerstin wears a black suit in which she looks professional and self assured and that is the way it should be. "We have 120 to 130 concerts per year lasting almost the entire year. I need to create an image and Andre needs to concentrate on his concerts." She admits: "Andre is a handsome man with lots of charm and charisma. He is also a real romantic. That is why many women are attracted to him. There are those who would love to creep under the fences but are not successful. In a nice way these women are removed. Andre does not worry about it; in fact, the fans are his living. If you do not have fans, you also have nowhere to perform. My feeling is that he secretly likes all the attention."
Contact with the press is not always a pleasure. She feels bad when her employer is falsely accused by the press or a distorted picture is presented. A recent article in a German magazine had Andre on the front cover arm in arm with Princess Mette-Marit of Norway. "That was a Photoshop because Andre had never met her. There was a headline that insinuated that they had a relationship and I thought it was terrible. But Andre always says 'as long as I shall not be accused of murder or child abuse, I let it go. We know better.'
Kerstin, the mother of an eleven-month old daughter is seldom home. "The entire month of November, 2008 we performed with a 60 person Johann Strauss Orchestra in Australia. December we toured through Holland and Belgium. January and February, 2009 we were in Germany and France. A week in Japan in March and in April, May and June two and a half weeks in America. Next year we go to South Africa and Andre also wants to do a concert at the North Pole and that's no joke. There have already been some casual discussions.
This is not a nine to five job. I think you must be enthusiastic about what you are doing; otherwise you will not survive." From day one there was a connection between Kerstin and her employer. "That was for us the incentive to work together. You find each other in happy moments but then when you are very tired, emotions come to the surface. Andre can be very quick and decisive. You must be able to cope with that. No, we have never had a bad quarrel and I have never been so angry as to say '..don't ever talk to me that way again', but there were times when I had to swallow hard. He notices that and immediately says 'you are not angry, huh?' We know what we have in each other. If I am tired I can sometimes be grumpy. Andre has a very direct side side, but a very soft side also."
Grateful: "I would not come at first to Australia. I was only two months after the birth of my daughter AYKO and I was still nursing. I said I was not going to leave her home for five weeks. Andre responded spontaneously: "then you will bring a nanny on tour." "Everything was fantastic. The flight took 23 hours, and not even a cry."
A Boss With Many Sides? "Andre is not easy but also is not difficult. He is a perfectionist. He is a boss who demands respect; therefore, you can expect more. He is certainly open to suggestions but when he has a certain idea in his head he stands his ground, and when there are decisions to be made, he is really THE boss. But he will never explode against anyone."
A Lesser Quality? "André is impatient. He admits that himself. He would prefer to have things done yesterday. I have learned to cope with that."
Is it nice to have dinner with him? "It varies, sometimes he text messages and calls all the time when we are eating with the whole group. He can also really enjoy his meal. I must make all all the restaurant arrangements. Andre prefers Italian food but he also like Japanese or Chinese as long as it is good food."
Is he a Burgundian? "Certainly, but if he must perform in a concert that night he keeps that in mind. He likes to drink a glass of wine. Andre is a genuine Bordeaux lover but never too much. He is vain, he does not want to gain weight."
Is it hard to give him a birthday present? "October is the date. So far I have no idea what to buy him, he has everything. Two years ago I surprised him. Andre is crazy about the Starbucks Carmel Macchiato. There is no Starbucks in Maastricht but in Aachen where my husband works there is one so I called him and ordered a Carmel Macchiato and said I will meet you at the border. I took the coffee, which was still hot, back to Maastricht. You should have seen Andre's face!"
Kerstin says she has a dream job. "I am so very pleased to be doing this job. I am so proud to belong to this group."
Are you musically gifted? " I grew up with classical music but I don't play an instrument and I sing totally out of tune. Last week I sang for my daughter. When I stopped she protested so I had to continue singing. Later I said to Andre, this is the first time in my life someone asked me to continue to sing!"
Special thanks to Privé Magazine for sending this article to andrerieufans.com
Special thanks to Privé Magazine for sending this article to andrerieufans.com
Posted by Moderator Jeanine Ann at August 7, 2009 
Categories: Special Entry, ANDRE RIEU, Articles-Interviews
Tags: Special Guest
Categories: Special Entry, ANDRE RIEU, Articles-Interviews
Tags: Special Guest
Most Excellent Jeanine Ann. I appreciate how you were able to work with the magazine. The article is very interesting. I would love to read the book!
BEAUTIFUL ARTICLE! A PLEASURE TO READ IT!
I MET HER IN DENVER, A BEAUTIFUL LADY, WITH A BEAUTIFUL MIND.
IMPECCABLE TASTE FOR CLOTHING!
KATI
I so enjoyed reading this!
One has to highly respect anyone who can work together as Kerstin and André certainly do, without any major issues...I think it shows the quality of respect each has for the other.
Thank you Jeanine Ann for your work in getting this article and sharing it with us all.
i really enjoyed this article and of course when i met andre' in june on the 12,2009 in vancouver, i first met kerstin and i liked her right away.i will never forget her.like she is proud to be working for andre' iam a proud fan also.i want to say thankyou to kerstin for all the work she does.elaine burch.
She seems to be a very organized & talented young lady. My first impression of her, when I found out who she was & what she does,was but she's so young! She looked like a girl just out of school.But she's got to be very savvy to do all that she does. I admire her very much.
She is 41 Shirley and that is young. Hugs
Thank you Jeanine Ann ~ this special peek into the workings of Kerstin and her exciting world of being the "lady"
behind, beside, on-top-of, creating, consulting, you-name-it, she does it job ~ very fortunate young woman ~ does her job very well. I am just being able to read all the back logged articles and most interesting as always, postings. I, as well as Sally would just love to read her book.
AH! TO BE 41 AGAIN! OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT AND YOUNG ENOUGH TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! SMILE!
I'M SO GLAD FOR ANDRE THAT HE HAS SUCH GOOD,AND HELPFUL PEOPLE SUROUNDING HIM! ANDRE IS ONE OF A KIND!! RARELY IN OUR WORLD (ESPECIALLY NOW) DO WE FIND SUCH A DEDICATED AND TALENTED GENIUS WHO IS OPEN TO CARING AND APPRECIATING THE TALENT AROUND HIM!
MAY HE BE AWARE OF HOW MUCH WE LOVE AND ENJOY HIS SOULREACHING MUSIC!!
Thanks Again for this Jeanine Ann. It was really cool that you worked with the Magazine and they approved your posting of this story and translation. I hope all fans will help support this magazine and others that are so kind to us.
Thanks Sally, that is the best way to do it, work with the magazines and then you do not need to worry about using copyrighted material.
Hello Kerstin. I have met you twice in Adelaide.I think you are amazing and your little daughter and husband must give you great joy.Thankyou for keeping our Maestro sane.I can imagine it could take some effort at time especially on long trips to us in Australia.Have a great 2010-see you in October.knuffel