I was one of a very fortunate few able to attend Sting’s performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on May 19, 2009. This private concert was a corporate fundraiser featuring select Sting songs specially interpreted for the orchestra and accompanied by Sting’s vocals and Sting’s band including Dominic Miller on guitar, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Christian McBride on bass and David Sancious on keyboards.

This concert was exceptional from start to finish and a truly unique experience. The arrangements were amazing and the orchestral accompaniment from the world-class musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra was awe-inspiring. The sound was huge, complex and completely mesmerizing. It was fun to try and guess what Sting song was beginning based on the extended orchestra intros, and sometimes it simply wasn’t possible to recognize a tune based on the extraordinary interpretations. Sting was very gracious and introduced many of the songs with an explanatory story, and he humbly gave up center stage to the conductor David Hartley while performing slightly to his left. Sting was dressed in a simple and tasteful black suit with extremely fitted pants and blended in well with the orchestra members. It is strange to see Sting on stage without his trademark bass, but for this performance he focused strictly on his vocals.

After an introductory song by the orchestra, Sting joined the musicians on stage and launched into the first of fifteen songs performed over a ninety minute set without any intermission. ‘Sister Moon’ was the first song, and it appeared this was the warm up for the challenge ahead. After that, the performance picked up steam with each additional song, until everything magically clicked midway through with ‘Russians’, which was easily the highlight of the entire evening.

‘Russians’ was divinely inspiring and executed with the utmost skill, showcasing the technical proficiency of all the musicians gracing the stage. Sting’s voice was incredibly strong with his delivery during ‘Russians’, and the orchestra was obviously frenzied with the complex arrangement. ‘Mad About You’ was similarly exceptional when played a few songs later, and the whole group had successfully reached their peak by this point.

There were a few minor glitches in the performance. The massive orchestra drowned out Sting’s vocals on several songs during the choruses, most notable in ‘Englishman in New York’, ‘Fortress Around Your Heart’, and ‘Desert Rose’. Songs with softer instrumentals overall highlighted Sting’s vocals more effectively, including ‘My One And Only Love’ and ‘Lullaby to an Anxious Child’, which was absolutely beautiful and sweet. In a rare vocal mistake, Sting began singing the second verse of ‘Fortress Around Your Heart’ too early, stopped after a few words and then began again at the proper time.

Overall, the evening was a masterpiece of musical achievement and collaboration, and a performance I will never forget and always cherish. Bravo to Sting and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Sting with Chicago Symphony Orchestra Setlist:
Orchestra Intro
Sister Moon
If I Ever Lose My Faith
Fields of Gold
Englishman in New York
A Thousand Years
My One and Only Love
Consider Me Gone
Russians
Lullaby to an Anxious Child
Fortress Around Your Heart
Moon Over Bourbon Street
Mad About You
Desert Rose
Every Breath You Take
Encore: Fragile