Symphonicity: 2010/11

Sting seduces Brescia...

Sting seduces and conquers Brescia in the last major summer event in Piazza Loggia. A line-up in which "Mister Sting" was undoubtedly the most high-profile and anticipated name, but the less than affordable ticket prices for last night's show likely created a barrier. In the end, there were no more than 3,200 people in the audience, almost a thousand fewer than Jethro Tull, who opened the Brescia concert season just a fortnight ago. Cipiesse therefore speaks of a result below expectations, especially considering that on stage was one of the last great global icons of 20th-century music: a name known and idolized worldwide, who, however, seems to have now opted for a sort of aristocratic and slightly snobbish isolation, marked on the artistic front also by the "classical" ambitions of his recent recordings.

This latter approach also characterized the two hours of essentially impeccable music that Sting, dressed entirely in black (as were the musicians, with the exception of the conductor), offered to the Brescia audience last night with his band (Dominic Miller on guitar, Ira Coleman on bass, Rhani Krija on percussion and Jo Lawry on backing vocals) and the Ensemble Symphony Orchestra conducted by the beautiful Sarah Hicks, revisiting a template that has already been widely tested on stages around the world.

"Good evening everyone: I'm happy to be here in Brescia for the first time," the English singer-songwriter began, still looking impeccable despite his approaching sixty years, before introducing the band and orchestra in perfect Italian, then launching into "Englishman in New York."

A concert of few words, which, as expected, gave free rein to the band's extensive catalogue of hits: from "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" to "Roxanne" and "Russians," and so on, seamlessly interspersing the legendary Police and the most brilliant and celebrated moments of his long solo career.

Sting then dedicated the song "Why Should I Cry For You" to his father: "When I was young, my father told me, 'After you finish school, take to the sea and become a sailor.' Why? I asked, but he didn't answer."

For the song "Moon Over Bourbon Street," he donned a long, red-cuffed cape, taking on the form of a vampire who, during the performance, even nibbled on the conductor's arm.

A kaleidoscope of extraordinary and timeless melodies, now consigned to history, whose "symphonic" reinterpretations have here and there cast doubt, especially on songs like "Next To You," which memory cannot help but trace back to the fiery and unsurpassable original Police versions.

Nonetheless, for those who were there during the golden age and still remember the sharp clarity of Sting's early days, his somewhat salon-like maturity may at times seem almost too professional, even if charisma and elegance are not in short supply. And it is these qualities that Mr. Sumner drew heavily on in his intense versions of 'Fields of Gold' and 'Shape of My Heart,' leading the audience by the hand to the grand finale of 'Every Breath You Take,' 'Fragile,' and 'Message in a Bottle,' a triumphantly applauded conclusion to a measured, elegant, flawless performance.

The atmosphere, however, loosened up towards the finale, with the entire band drawn into a sort of collective dance and the audience - especially the female ones - literally ecstatic.

But the king of the evening did not grant any further encores.

(c) Bresciaoggi.it by Claudio Andrizzi

Sting enchants Piazza Loggia and Brescia...

Sting's concert in Piazza Loggia lasted nearly two hours; dressed in black and shirting black, he spoke to the audience in perfect Italian. He began with three classic songs: 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,' 'Englishman in New York,' and 'Roxanne,' but other classics were also included.

Wearing a black suit and shirt, Sting took the stage at 9:10 PM, bowed to the applauding audience, and then began with "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," one of his classic songs with the Police.

Sting then addressed the audience in perfect Italian: "Good evening everyone," he said, "I'm happy to be here in Brescia for the first time." He then introduced the band and orchestra before beginning with one of his classic "post-Police" songs, 'Englishman in New York.' Sting then took up his acoustic guitar and Piazza Loggia gave him a standing ovation on the first notes of 'Roxanne', the third piece of the evening which provided strong emotions.

The British artist returned to the Brescia audience, speaking in perfect Italian: "When I was young, my father told me that when I finished school, I should take to the sea and become a sailor. Why did I ask? He didn't answer. This song is dedicated to him." Piazza Loggia was moved to tears by the strains of "Why Should I Cry For You."

Then, the most well-known songs gradually unfolded, concluding with a unique version of "Message in a Bottle," featuring guitar, vocals, and percussion. This earned a standing ovation from Piazza Loggia.

Returning to the look, like Sting, the band was also dressed in black, while the orchestra accompanying him stood out with black jeans and a white T-shirt.

(c) Giornale Di Brescia