STING
Symphonicity: The Critically-Acclaimed World Tour
Extends To Australia and New Zealand
Sting Performing his Greatest Hits, Re-imagined for Symphonic Arrangement
Conducted by Steven Mercurio
Performances Confirmed in Perth, Barossa Valley, Melbourne, Sydney, Hunter Valley, Brisbane and Christchurch.
LIVE NATION is pleased to announce that STING will extend his critically-acclaimed world tour, Symphonicity, to Australia and New Zealand in January and February, 2011.
The Australian tour will begin January 22 in Perth (Sandalford Estate) followed by performances in the Barossa Valley and Melbourne (Music Bowl), with an additional two-night engagement at the renowned Sydney Opera House. The tour will also make stops at the Hope Estate Winery in Hunter Valley and the Brisbane River Stage before continuing to New Zealand, where Sting will perform at the CBS Canterbury Arena in Christchurch, before concluding at the already sold-out Mission Estate Winery, on February 12 in Napier Valley.
Following sold-out performances throughout North America and Europe, Symphonicity finds Sting performing his greatest hits, re-imagined for symphonic arrangement, conducted by Maestro Steven Mercurio (Pavarotti, Bocelli). For this portion of the tour, Symphonicity will feature the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Perth, Barossa Valley and Melbourne, the Sydney Symphony in Sydney, Brisbane and Hunter Valley, with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra performing in Christchurch and Napier, NZ.
Sting will also be joined by a group of accomplished musicians, comprised of Dominic Miller (Sting’s longtime guitarist), Rhani Krija (Sting’s longtime multi-genre percussionist), David Cossin (a multi-percussion specialist in new and experimental music and featured member of the Bang on a Can All-Stars), Jo Lawry (Australian vocalist) and Ira Coleman (bassist).
“I am looking forward to performing in Australia and New Zealand, having a whole new palate of musical colors to work with and reinventing the songs that have been the staples of my live shows for over thirty years,” says Sting.
Drawing from a diverse and illustrious career that has produced numerous multi-platinum albums, a staggering list of number one songs, countless accolades and worldwide record sales of nearly 100 million, Sting’s most celebrated songs have been re-interpreted with brand new orchestrations arranged by Jorge Calandrelli, David Hartley, Michel Legrand, Rob Mathes, Vince Mendoza, Steven Mercurio, Bill Ross, Robert Sadin, and Nicola Tescari.
Selections, created especially for this tour, will include fan-favorites such as The Police hits “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”, “Roxanne”, “Next To You” and “Every Breath You Take,” to notable songs from Sting’s enduring solo career – “Englishman In New York,” “Fragile,” “Russians,” “If I Ever Lose My Faith In You,” “Fields Of Gold,” and “Desert Rose.”
To accompany Sting’s celebrated world tour, Deutsche Grammophon/CherryTree Records, recently announced a live CD/DVD package, Live in Berlin, featuring the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, conducted by Steven Mercurio, available internationally on November 26, 2010. This exclusive collection features previously unreleased material and many of his greatest hits, such as “Roxanne,” “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” “King Of Pain,” “Fields Of Gold,” and more, all re-imagined for symphonic arrangement. Featuring special guest Branford Marsalis on select tracks, this live concert experience is quintessential Symphonicity!
Deutsche Grammophon/CherryTree Records also released a companion studio album, Symphonicities, to critical acclaim. Highlights include fan-favorites culled from The Police songbook such as “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”, “Roxanne” and “Next To You,” as well as songs from Sting’s solo career including “Englishman In New York,” “I Burn for You,” “Why Should I Cry for You” and “She’s Too Good For Me,” among many others.
Sting’s first venture into the classical realm began with the success of his #1 album Songs from the Labyrinth, a lute-based interpretation of the music of 16th century composer John Dowland, released in 2006 on Deutsche Grammophon. After completing the enormously successful Police reunion world tour, Sting returned to pursue his passion for combining musical genres with his most recent release If On A Winter’s Night... which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s classical chart.
Prior to starting his solo career, Sting was the principal songwriter, lead singer and bassist of the rock band The Police. As a solo musician and member of The Police, Sting has received 16 Grammy Awards, two Brits, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, three Oscar nominations, Billboard Magazine’s Century Award, and MusiCares 2004 Person of the Year. He is also a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
“We are thrilled to be a part of bringing this exciting and unique tour with Sting to the world,” said Arthur Fogel (CEO/ Chairman Live Nation global Touring). “The arrangements, combined with Sting’s brilliant songwriting and musicianship, will no doubt result in a magical evening of music.”
The world tour is promoted by Live Nation and produced by RZO Entertainment, Inc. in association with Universal Music Classical Management & Productions.
TOUR ITINERARY
JANUARY 2011
Saturday 22 – Sandalford Estate, Swan Valley. Presented by Zaccaria Events Present
Tickets from Ticketek: www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849
Wednesday 26 –Barossa Under The Stars, Barossa Valley
Tickets from Venuetix: www.venuetix.com.au or 8225 8888
Friday 28 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
Tickets from Ticketmaster: www.ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100
The Arts Centre: www.theartscentre.com.au or 1300 182 183
Monday 31 – Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall
Tickets from Ticketmaster: www.ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100
Sydney Opera House: www.sydneyoperahouse.com or 02 9250 7777
FEBRUARY 2011
Tuesday 1 – Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall
Tickets from Ticketmaster: www.ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100
Sydney Opera House: www.sydneyoperahouse.com or 02 9250 7777
Saturday 5 – Hope Estate Winery, Hunter Valley
Tickets from Ticketmaster: www.ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100
Hope Estate: www.hopeestate.com.au or 1800 777 444
Monday 7 – Brisbane River Stage, Brisbane
Tickets from Ticketmaseter: www.ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100
Thursday 10 – CBS Canterbury Arena, Christchurch
Tickets from Ticketek: www.ticketek.co.nz or 0800 TICKETEK
Saturday 12 - The Mission Winery – New Zealand – SOLD OUT!
Tickets for the Swan Valley performance will go on sale on Thursday, October 21st with the remaining Australian and New Zealand dates on sale from Friday, October 22nd.
All ticketing information available at www.livenation.com.au.
www.sting.com
For official press materials, high-resolution photos & more, visit: www.sting.com/PR
For media information please contact:
Revolutions Per Minute PR
Nicole Hart - nicole@revolutions.com.au or +61 418 324 312
Christchurch media enquiries: Neil Cox
neilcox@bigdeal.co.nz or 021 933440
SYMPHONICITY TOUR PRESS QUOTES:
“THIS IS ONE OF THE MUST-SEE CONCERTS OF THE YEAR.” – The New York Post
“PAIRING STING WITH THE ORCHESTRA IS BRILLIANT SYNCHRONICITY ON MULTIPLE LEVELS.” - The Denver Post
“…CLASSICAL TWISTS ON CLASSIC HITS THAT MAKE SYMPHONICITY A MUST-SEE.” - The Globe & Mail.
“…AN IMPRESSIVE DEGREE OF CRAFT AND INVENTION AT ITS BEST.” - The San Diego Union Tribune
“IN A WORD, INCREDIBLE.” -Cal Coast News
“[IT’S] All EXECUTED WITH SUCH STERLING CRAFTMANSHIP.” - People Magazine
“THIS TOUR IS ONE TO WATCH!” - Bloomberg News
“STING’S RECONFIGURING OF HIS CLASSIC SONGS PROVED TO BE A ROUSING TRIUMPH.” - Showbiz 411
About Live Nation
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In 2009, Live Nation sold 140 million tickets, promoted 21,000 concerts, partnered with 850 sponsors and averaged 25 million unique monthly users of its e-commerce sites. For additional information, visit http://www.livenation.com/investors.
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