''Sting showcases his changing style at Ravinia...'' reports the Chicago Daily Herald

A reprint from Sting.com

Sting showcases his changing style at Ravinia...

If there's one thing a Sting fan is used to, it's change. 

From his start as the singer and bassist for The Police, to an ever evolving solo career that has encompassed blues, jazz, reggae, country and even Elizabethan lute music, Sting is nothing if not a Renaissance man. 

In this newest incarnation, he replaces the synthesizer with a symphony, appearing at Ravinia Saturday in the first of two sold-out shows pairing with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, conducted with gusto by Steven Mercurio ("the biggest band I ever had," Sting quipped), 'Symphonicity', showcases hits from Sting's career going back as far as 'Roxanne'. 

Yet, unlike the Police reunion a few years back, this was no nostalgia act. While the 58-year-old performer drew from all areas of his repertoire, he adapted and reworked the music, allowing the orchestra to seamlessly transform the familiar into something new and fresh. 

And while rock music and symphonies don't always make the best marriage, this combination succeeded on a number of levels. Sting's melodies, for starters, have enough depth and richness to stand up to an orchestra. His rendition of 'Russians', for example was full force, dramatic and almost - but not quite - over the top. 

Yet, he's flexible enough to let his music be altered as an orchestral treatment. 'Roxanne' was delivered balladlike, slow, subdued and showcased by a cellist. 

Dressed in black jeans and a cropped tuxedo jacket, Sting took the stage with his usual "sultry swagger," relaxed and gracious. The highbrow level was definitely toned down from singalongs to a dancing horn section to the playful jumps and flips of Mercurio. 

Guitarist Dominic Miller and singer Jo Lawry, Sting stalwarts, also held their own against the backdrop of the orchestra. One of the highlights of the evening was the duet between Sting and Lawry on 'Whenever I Say Your Name' with Lawry's dramatic command of the song a match for Sting. 

'King of Pain', while a little bogged down in the beginning, brought the crowd to its feet. He finished the night with 'Every Breath You Take', with encore performances of 'Desert Rose', 'She's Too Good for Me' and 'Fragile', which he dedicated to the victims of the Gulf oil spill disaster, in true Sting style. 

© Chicago Daily Herald by Eileen Brown

New Symphonicity tour merchandise

Now Available from Sting.com shop.

Symphonicities - artwork and tracklisting details revealed...

From Sting.com

Sting's new album 'Symphonicities', which includes some of his most celebrated songs re-imagined for symphonic arrangement, will be released by Deutsche Grammophon on July 13 and is now available for pre-order from most on-line music stores.

'Symphonicities' is the companion CD to accompany Sting's highly-anticipated world tour, which began on June 2 in Vancouver, featuring the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, conducted by Steven Mercurio (Bocelli, Pavarotti). The new studio album serves as the ultimate commemoration of the live concert experience, with the first single, "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," currently available at all digital retailers including iTunes.

'Symphonicities' was produced by Rob Mathes and Sting and mixed by Elliot Scheiner (Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac) and Claudius Mittendorfer (Interpol, Franz Ferdinand).

Sting & Trudie Styler joined by Joshua Bell in celebration of composer Robert Schumann's 200th birthday at Jazz at Lincoln Center June 30th...

From Sting.com

Culture Project in a special association with Music Unites presents "Twin Spirits" a unique event of music and theater devised and directed for the stage by John Caird featuring Sting as Robert Schumann and Trudie Styler as Clara Weick.

Evening also features musical artists Joshua Bell, Jremy Denk, Nathan Gunn, Natasha Paremski, Camille Zamora, Nina Kotova.

Culture Project (Allan Buchman, Artistic Director) announced today (on the actual date of Robert Schumann's 200th birthday) that it will present a very special New York performance celebrating the 200th birthday of composer Robert Schumann with a special performance of Twin Spirits, an intimate theatrical event devised and directed for the stage by Tony Award-winner John Caird, and featuring Sting, Trudie Styler and Joshua Bell, among other artists, on Thursday, June 30, 7:30 p.m, at The Allen Room at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center on Broadway at 60th Street, New York City. Twin Spirits is a poetic meditation on the passionate relationship between composer Robert Schumann and wife Clara Wieck. Sting joins his wife, actress, producer and philanthropist Trudie Styler to read from the letters between Robert and Clara. Their story is illustrated and interwoven with music composed by Robert - whose spirit will be embodied by pianist Jeremy Denk, baritone Nathan Gunn and violinist Joshua Bell - and by Clara, who is evoked by pianist Natasha Paremski, soprano Camille Zamora, and cellist Nina Kotova.

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Watch Sting in Vancouver on Entertainment Tonight...

From Sting.com

Does Sting get stage fright? ET goes backstage before his concert opener in Vancouver to get the answer!

The singer admits that his feelings of excitement are mixed with "a little anxiety."

"This is a big deal for me," he adds. "It's a huge responsibility. At the same time, I'm thrilled - like a kid with a new train set... it's a mixed bag of emotions."

"I think it's important to have a little bit of nerve," he says. "Once I'm on stage, I'm not nervous. But just before you go on, you get that little tingling. I take what I do seriously; I don't take it for granted."

The night perfectly kicked-off his Symphonicity Tour, with the singer performing his most celebrated songs with the Royal Philharmonic.

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Sting's 'Symphonicity' dates confirmed in Paris and Nantes and second London show added...

Sting.com announces ....

We are pleased to confirm three further European dates for Sting, accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, this autumn. The 'Symphonicity' tour will visit Paris (De Bercy) on September 30 and Nantes (Zenith) on October 11. A second night has also been added at the Royal Albert Hall in London on October 2. The tour will find Sting performing his most celebrated songs re-imagined for symphonic arrangement. The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will be conducted by Maestro Steven Mercurio (Pavarotti, Bocelli).

The Paris and Nantes dates will go on presale to Sting.com members from 10am on June 2 and go on public sale on June 4. There will be a presale for American Express cardholders commencing at 10am on May 31 (from a different hold to the fan club allocation). The additional London date has already gone on public sale but the fan club will be having its own post-sale using an allotment of pre-allocated tickets which will commence at 3pm (Legacy members)/4pm (other members) on 1 June. Members will be limited to two tickets in this presale. The current European schedule is now as follows. All times are local.

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Sting will be appearing on Larry King's "DISASTER IN THE GULF: How You Can Help" telethon on June 21

CNN's Larry King Hosts Special Two Hour Larry King Live Telethon Monday, June 21

Star-Studded Fundraiser Benefits United Way, National Wildlife Federation and The Nature Conservancy Providing Immediate, Direct Support for Families, Residents and Wildlife Affected by Gulf Oil Spill.

Guests Include Justin Bieber, Ted Danson, Cameron Diaz, Kathy Griffin, Chelsea Handler, Randy Jackson, Kerry Kennedy, Lenny Kravitz, Jenny McCarthy, Tim McGraw, Alyssa Milano, Edward James Olmos, Victoria Principal, Robert Redford, Ian Somerhalder, Sting, Melania and Ivanka Trump, Pete Wentz, with Ryan Seacrest Hosting Special Online Social Suite and More.

CNN's Anderson Cooper, Soledad O'Brien, Kyra Phillips and Rob Marciano Report Latest Updates From the Gulf During Live Special.

CNN original Larry King hosts a special two-hour Larry King Live telethon this Monday, June 21, "DISASTER IN THE GULF: How You Can Help," from 8 to 10pm ET, a star-studded effort to raise funds for United Way, The National Wildlife Federation and The Nature Conservancy, organizations working directly with the families, individuals and Wildlife affected by the Gulf oil spill.


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