Symphonica (also promoted as Symphonica: The Orchestral Tour) was an orchestral concert tour by George Michael and his last tour. The singer performed the songs mainly from Songs from the Last Century and Patience albums as well as some cover versions in new arrangements.
Background
The tour was officially announced on 11 May 2011.[1] Due to high demand for tickets, extra shows were added in Dublin, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, Rotterdam, Herning and Verona. A Brussels show was later announced on 3 June.[2] Milan and Copenhagen shows were later announced.
Many of the shows had already sold out completely. Prague, Antwerp, Rotterdam, London (Royal Albert Hall and Royal Opera House), Dublin, Cardiff, Sheffield and Newcastle had all sold out.
The show included four new core band members who were selected by producer Phil Ramone and George Michael. These new members included musical director and pianist Henry Hey, guitarist Ben Butler, bassist David Finck, and drummer Mark McLean. In addition, percussionist Lea Mullen and guitarist Phil Palmer completed the band, along with Michael's long-time background vocalists Shirley Lewis, Lucy Jules, Lincoln Jean-Marie and Jay Henry. The stage had a semi-oval shape with a huge screen projecting different visual effects, sometimes featuring Michael himself. Some visuals were taken from the previous tour.
On 25 November it was announced that all further concerts in 2011 had been cancelled due to Michael's illness.[3] Eventually, it took longer time for Michael to recover, resulting in all concerts postponed and scheduled for April and May being postponed to October and November 2012.
On 3 May 2012 it was announced that scheduled for early April shows in Australia would be postponed to November 2012. His performance in Perth on 10 November would've been the headline act for the Perth Arena Gala Opening.[4] But later due to recovery restrictions from the illness, Michael was forced to cancel all Australian dates.[3]
It was announced on Michael's website that his album Symphonica, released on 17 March 2014, would consist of studio material initially rehearsed for this tour including some live recordings.
Opening acts
Wrocław Philharmonic Orchestra (Poland)
Czech National Symphony Orchestra (Prague)
Setlist
The setlist of the premiere concert on 22 August 2011 at State Opera House – Prague, Czech Republic.[5]
Closer to the end of the intermission a mix of different Michael's songs including "A Different Corner", "Older" and "John and Elvis Are Dead" was played with some light effects.
From 3 September concert at Forum Copenhagen Michael performed the song "Understand" replacing "You and I".[6]
On 17 September, Michael performed a concert to celebrate the opening of a new stadium in Wrocław. He performed with the Wrocław Philharmonic Orchestra.[7]
From 19 September concert at Budapest Sportaréna Michael performed Elton John's song "Idol" replacing "It Doesn't Really Matter".[8]
From 7 October concert at Antwerp SportPaleis Michael performed "Song to the Siren" replacing "Understand".
Michael performed the song "Safe" on 29 October concert in London's Royal Albert Hall, 1 and 3 November concerts in Dublin's The O2
From 14 November concert at Prague O2Arena Michael performed the song "The Recluse" replacing "Kissing a Fool".[9]
During the second leg of the tour in 2012 the songs "Idol", "Song to the Siren", "You and I" and "Where I Hope You Are" were removed, the song "Father Figure" added to the first half of the setlist, the first song after the intermission was changed to "Waiting for that Day" and "Love Is a Losing Game" was not performed as well. Additionally, the last song performed live was "White Light".[10]
On 16 September concert in Birmingham Michael finished the concert with the song "I Remember You" instead of "White Light"
On 9 October concert in Manchester, Michael finished the concert with the song "I Remember You" instead of "White Light" and performed "Star People" and "F.E.A.R." by Ian Brown.
At concert in Liverpool and final shows in London Michael would finish the concert with "I Remember You".[10]
Shows
Cancellations and rescheduled shows
References
^"George Michael announces Symphoninca: The Orchestral Tour". georgemichael.com. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
^"Symphonica performance added in Brussels". George Michael's Official Website. 3 June 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
^ a b"George Michael shelves all 2011 tour dates due to illness | News". NME. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
^"GEORGE MICHAEL'S SYMPHONICA TOUR TO OPEN PERTH ARENA". Perth Arena. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
^"Symphonica Tour Prague Setlist announced". George Michael's Official Website. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
^"Tour - GeorgeMichael.com". www.georgemichael.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012.
^"George Michael will sing with the Wrocław Philharmonic Orchestra". 16 May 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
^"Tour - GeorgeMichael.com". www.georgemichael.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012.
^"Tour - GeorgeMichael.com". www.georgemichael.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012.
^ a b"www".
^"More Symphonica Performances, Confirmed". George Michael's Official Website. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
^"Symphonica dates added in London". George Michael's Official Website. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
^"Symphonica dates added in Rotterdam". George Michael's Official Website. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
^"Announced new dates". George Michael's Official Website. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
^"Brussels show added". George Michael's Official Website. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
^"Concert at Royal Albert Hall on 26 October has postponed to 2 May 2012". George Michael's Official Website. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
^"Concert at Royal Albert Hall on 2 May has postponed again to 29 September 2012". George Michael's Official Website. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
^"George Michael Announces Rescheduled + Newly Added Symphonica Dates!". George Michael's Official Website. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
^ a b"Motorpoint Arena Cardiff on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 30 April 2022.[user-generated source]
^"SYMPHONICA: AUSTRALIA!". George Michael's Official Website. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Symphonica: The Orchestral Tour.
