Yes, it will be the fourth time, after 2009, 2011 and 2013, but only the second time in Christchurch, I think. I can't wait to be back. I have very special memories of the audience, so warm, so passionate. And I found New Zealand a fascinating country, although I wished I would have been able to see more of it. I need to come back one day as a tourist. I think you have the most spectacular nature in the world. I just wish it would not be so far away from Maastricht, where I live. Not exactly a day trip, is it?
You've performed at Auckland's Vector Arena before. What's your opinion of it as a venue, especially in terms of acoustics?
It's a great venue with very good acoustics, but we're fortunate enough not to depend on local acoustics. We have our own sound system that works perfectly in venues all over the world. The music we play is so beautiful and brings so much happiness to the audience, it really deserves a perfect sound.
What can fans expect from this tour that is new or different from past visits?
We will play a completely new programme full of surprises. I am still choosing the pieces and the soloists. It will be romantic, fun and of course I hope you will all get up an dance with us.
One piece we will play for sure is my favourite waltz The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss. I play it in all my concerts. It was the first musical piece that really touched my heart. I was only 5 years old and my father, who was a symphonic conductor, had taken me to one of his concerts. When he played that music as an encore people started smiling. They were happy.
And that is what I want to achieve with my music. Create emotions. Interact with the audience. Make them laugh, weep and sing.
Your new album has an Italian theme. Will the music from that appear in the show and what's your personal and musical connection to that country?
Yes, my new album is called Roman Holiday. I've chosen my favourite Italian melodies for it, such as Gabriel's Oboe, Dinner by Morricone, Felicita, L'italiano, Mattinata, the Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana, the Capriccio Italien and well known themes from La Traviata and Madame Butterfly. Some of it may appear in the concert, but I won't play the whole album. I never do - I like to be flexible.
My wife and I have been travelling to Rome every year for 15 years with friends and family. I love the architecture, the music, the history and the food, the "dolce vita". It's amazing what these people were able to build thousands of years ago. But it was built with force and pressure. I wonder if it were possible today to achieve this with love.
Clearly you've sold enough tickets, albums and DVDs not to have to tour or work ever again - what keeps you motivated?
Have you ever thought about retirement?No, I love to give concerts, to travel around the world with my second family, the Johann Strauss Orchestra. We really have a lot of fun on stage.
Look at all those rock bands - AC/DC, the Rolling Stones - they make much more money than I do, and they have been on stage for over 40, 50 years, but they don't stop. Because they need to be on stage and make music. They love their audience. It's the same with other artists. Authors, painters - they work as long as they can. Although I prefer to say I do not work - I'm having fun.
And finally: Does your violin get its own seat on the plane when you're touring?
Ha, ha! It doesn't get its own seat, but I have it always with me as hand baggage, of course. No artist would check in a Stradivarius from 1732 with their normal baggage and then watch it being thrown on those baggage carts.
Concert preview
Who: Andre Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra.
Where and when: Christchurch's Horncastle Arena on October 29 and Auckland's Vector Arena on November 1, 2016.
Tickets: On sale on December 3.
