Symphonicity: 2010/11

Sting impresses in Barakaldo with symphonic arrangements of his greatest hits...

British musician and singer Sting kicked off the Spanish leg of his 'Symphonicity' tour at the Bizkaia Arena in Barakaldo (Vizcaya), where he revisited his greatest hits from the last three decades, adapted into symphonic arrangements, before a devoted audience.

Sir Gordon Sumner appeared in immaculate black on a spacious stage where he shared the spotlight with London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, composed of 45 musicians and conducted by Steven Mercurio.

The former frontman of The Police opened the three-hour concert with 'If I Ever Lose My Faith In You,' which immediately caused neck movements among the audience, who occupied the seats in the venue, which has a capacity of more than ten thousand people and was not yet full.

The orchestrated arrangements of the Englishman's greatest hits passed their first test in Spain with a standing ovation from the audience, rewarding the timid appearances of string instruments in this first song.

Three light panels above the stage displayed black and white images of the artists, intensifying the inevitable reference to a past that made Sting one of rock icons, as evidenced by the beam of light that, from afar, highlighted his figure throughout the night.

Playing it safe, Sumner chose to start with hits that still play on radio stations today, such as "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," which was the former Police frontman's first nod to his former band.

"Good evening, I'm delighted to be here in Bilbao," Sting greeted in Spanish before introducing London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and apologizing because, so "excited" was he to speak in Spanish, he had forgotten about vocalist Jo Lawry, who would later take on a huge role.

The unmistakable opening chords of "Englishman In New York" drew the first applause from the audience, who joined the Newcastle man when he sang "be yourself" and asked the audience to respond "no matter what they say."

"Roxanne" didn't appear with nearly the usual energy, and so there was no need for Sting to force his voice like he did in 1978. He even allowed himself to be accompanied by a Spanish guitar and two superb solos on a clarinet and a cello as the stage turned red.

The electric guitar took its first share of prominence in "Why Should I Cry For You?" and managed to adapt to the symphonic ecosystem without clashing, while the white light pierced a fine mist as Sting pronounced "under the skies of fall." Jo Lawry offered a chilling duet with the British singer on "Whenever I Say Your Name," in which she at times overshadowed the star of the night.

The first part of "Symphonicity" also featured "Straight To My Heart," "When We Dance," "Fields of Gold," and "Shape Of My Heart."

In "This Cowboy Song," Sting embraced his guitar and joined several members of his band in a crazy dance routine, and "Moon Over Bourbon Street" presented a sinister aesthetic, with projections of vampires, before ending with a prolonged howl from the Englishman.

The spirit of The Police returned momentarily with 'Mad About You' - preceded by a biblical verse about the legend of David and Bathsheba - and a revamped version of 'Every Breath You Take' which, with a strong presence on the violins, threatened to close the show in spectacular fashion.

'Desert Rose' unleashed a frenzy on stage with its frenetic Arabic rhythms and a relentless Sting who danced relentlessly, and the members of the Philharmonic joined the party with 'She's Too Good For Me', jumping out of their seats when they weren't playing.

'Symphonicity' concluded with 'Fragile' and a final beam of light on Sting as he performed a moving a cappella performance of 'I Was Brought To My Senses.'

© Agencia EFE