Symphonica (also promoted as Symphonica: The Orchestral Tour) was an orchestral

concert tour A concert tour (or simply tour) is a series of concerts by an artist or group of artists in different cities, countries or locations. Often concert tours are named to differentiate different tours by the same artist and to associate a specific to ...

George Michael George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou; 25 June 1963 – 25 December 2016) was an English singer and songwriter. He is considered one of the most significant cultural icons of the MTV Generation, MTV generation and is one of the List ...

and his last tour. The singer performed the songs mainly from ''

Songs from the Last Century ''Songs from the Last Century'' is the fourth studio album by the English singer-songwriter George Michael, released on 6 December 1999 by Aegean Records and Virgin Records. Produced by Phil Ramone and George Michael, it was his only album of ...

'' and ''

Patience (or forbearance) is the ability to endure difficult circumstances. Patience may involve perseverance in the face of delay; tolerance of provocation without responding in disrespect/anger; or forbearance when under strain, especially when face ...

'' albums as well as some cover versions in new arrangements.

Background

The tour was officially announced on 11 May 2011. Due to high demand for tickets, extra shows were added in Dublin, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, Rotterdam, Herning & Verona. A Brussels show was later announced on 3 June. Milan and Copenhagen shows were later announced. A "Songs From The Last Century-Tour", with most of the songs that appear on Symphonica, was actually planned around the release of its album, but the idea was shelved until after the hugely well received and successful "25-Tour". Many of the shows had already sold out completely. Prague, Antwerp, Rotterdam, London (Royal Albert Hall & 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 Philip Ramone (né Rabinowitz, January 5, 1934March 30, 2013) was a South African-born American recording engineer, record producer, violinist and composer, who in 1958 co-founded A & R Recording, Inc., a recording studio with business part ...

and George Michael. These new members included musical director and pianist

Henry Hey Henry may refer to: People * Henry (given name) *Henry (surname) * Henry Lau, Canadian singer and musician who performs under the mononym Henry Royalty * Portuguese royalty ** King-Cardinal Henry, King of Portugal ** Henry, Count of Portugal, ...

, guitarist Ben Butler, bassist

David Finck David E. Finck (born August 26, 1958) is an American jazz bassist. He plays both bass guitar and double bass. Finck was born in Rochester, New York. He studied under Sam Goradetzer and Michael Shahan of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and graduated ...

, and drummer

Mark McLean Mark McLean (born February 5, 1975) is a Canadian musician, drummer, composer, lyricist and studio musician. McLean lives and works primarily in New York. He has released three albums under his own name. The first showcases his arrangements of j ...

. In addition, percussionist

Lea Mullen Lea or LEA may refer to: Places Australia * Lea River, Tasmania, Australia * Lake Lea, Tasmania, from which the Lea River flows * RAAF Base Learmonth, IATA airport code "LEA" England * Lea, Cheshire, a civil parish * Lea, Derbyshire, a s ...

and guitarist

Phil Palmer Philip John Palmer (born 9 September 1952) is a rock sideman and session guitarist who has toured, recorded, and worked with numerous artists. He is best known for his work with Eric Clapton and Dire Straits. Biography Palmer grew up in nort ...

completed the band – along with Michael's long-time background vocalists Shirley Lewis,

Lucy Jules Lucy is an English feminine given name derived from the Latin masculine given name Lucius with the meaning ''as of light'' (''born at dawn or daylight'', maybe also ''shiny'', or ''of light complexion''). Alternative spellings are Luci, Luce, Luc ...

Lincoln Jean-Marie Lincoln Jean-Marie is a British singer, born in London, England. Jean-Marie has over fifteen years of working experience as a singer, songwriter, and arranger of both lead and backing vocals. He was also a member of the four-piece a cappella ...

and Jay Henry. Stage has a semi-oval shape with a huge screen projecting different visual effects sometimes with George himself. Some visuals were taken from previous tour. On 25 November it was announced that all further concerts in 2011 had been cancelled due to ill health. Eventually it took longer time for George to recover thus all concerts postponed and scheduled for April and May would be 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 Perth is the list of Australian capital cities, capital and largest city of the Australian states and territories of Australia, state of Western Australia. It is the list of cities in Australia by population, fourth most populous city in Aust ...

on 10 November would've been the headline act for the

Perth Arena Perth Arena (known commercially as ) is an entertainment and sporting arena in the city centre of Perth, Western Australia, used mostly for basketball matches. It is located on Wellington Street near the site of the former Perth Entertainmen ...

Gala Opening. But later due to recovery restrictions from the illness, George was forced to cancel all Australian dates. 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 set list of the premiere concert on 22 August 2011 at State Opera House – Prague, Czech Republic Set list has a few changes from the first concert – see Additional notes. # "

Through Prepositions and postpositions, together called adpositions (or broadly, in traditional grammar, simply prepositions), are a class of words used to express spatial or temporal relations (''in'', ''under'', ''towards'', ''before'') or mark various ...

" # " My Baby Just Cares For Me" # "

Cowboys & Angels ''Cowboys & Angels'' is an Irish film released on 14 May 2003 at the Cannes Film Market in France. Set in Limerick city, the movie stars Michael Legge as Shane and Allen Leech as Vincent, Shane's gay roommate. The film was directed by David Gle ...

" # " True Faith" # "Let Her Down Easy" (Terence Trent D'Arby cover) # "

Kissing A Fool ''Kissing a Fool'' is a 1998 American romantic comedy film directed by Doug Ellin. It primarily stars David Schwimmer, Jason Lee, Mili Avital, Kari Wührer, and Vanessa Angel. Schwimmer was one of the executive producers. Plot Max (David Schw ...

" # "

Going to a Town "Going to a Town" is a song written and performed by Canadian-American singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright. It was the first single from the album ''Release the Stars'', released on April 3, 2007, in the United States and on May 7 in the United Ki ...

" # " Roxanne" # " It Doesn’t Really Matter" # " Brother Can You Spare a Dime?"
''Intermission'' # "

" # "

John And Elvis Are Dead "John and Elvis Are Dead" is a 2005 song and single released by George Michael from his album ''Patience''. It was co-written by childhood friend David Austin. It was released on 30 August 2005 as a download-only single and was therefore unable ...

" # " Russian Roulette" # "

You Have Been Loved "You Have Been Loved" is a song by English singer and songwriter George Michael, recorded for his third studio album, ''Older'' (1996). It was written by Michael and David Austin and produced by Michael. On 8 September 1997, "You Have Been Lov ...

" # "

You've Changed "You've Changed" is a popular song published in 1942 with music by Carl Fischer and words by Bill Carey. The melody features descending chromaticism. The song was first recorded on October 24, 1941 by Harry James & His Orchestra (vocal by Dick H ...

" # "

Love Is A Losing Game "Love Is a Losing Game" is a song by English singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse from her second and final studio album ''Back to Black'' (2006). It was chosen as the fifth and final single from ''Back to Black'' and was also the final single rel ...

" # "Where I Hope You Are" (new) # "

Praying For Time "Praying for Time" is a song written and performed by British singer and songwriter George Michael, released on Epic Records in the United Kingdom and Columbia Records in the United States in 1990. It was the first single from his second studi ...

" # "

Wild Is the Wind ''Wild is the Wind'' is a 1957 film directed by George Cukor and starring Anna Magnani, Anthony Quinn, and Anthony Franciosa. It tells the story of an American rancher who, after his wife dies, goes to Italy to marry her sister, but finds that s ...

" # "

A Different Corner "A Different Corner" is a song written and performed by George Michael that was released on Epic Records (Columbia Records in the US) in 1986 . Background & Writing "A Different Corner" was written by Michael while Wham! were at their peak as a ...

" # "

Feeling Good "Feeling Good" (also known as "Feelin' Good") is a song written by English composers Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the musical '' The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd''. It was first performed on stage in 1964 by Cy ...

" # " You And I"
''Encore'' # "

Amazing Amazing may refer to: Music Performers * The Amazing, a Swedish indie rock band Albums * ''Amazing'' (Banaroo album), 2006 * ''Amazing'' (Elkie Brooks album), 1996 * ''Amazing'' (Marcia Hines album) or the title song, 2014 * ''Amazin'' (Tr ...

" / " I'm Your Man" / "

Freedom 90 "Freedom! '90" (also known simply as "Freedom!") is a song written, produced, and performed by George Michael, and released on Columbia Records in 1990. The "'90" added to the end of the title is to prevent confusion with a hit by Michael's for ...

Additional notes

*Closer to the end of Intermission a mix of different Michael's songs including "A Different Corner", "Older" and "John and Elvis Are Dead" is playing with some light effects. *From 3 September concert at Forum Copenhagen George includes the song "

Understand Understanding is a psychological process related to an abstract or physical object, such as a person, situation, or message whereby one is able to use concepts to model that object. Understanding is a relation between the knower and an object of ...

" in the set-list replacing "You And I". *On 17 September, George Michael performed a concert to celebrate the opening of a new stadium in Wrocław. He performed with the Wrocław Philharmonic Orchestra. *From 19 September concert at Budapest Sportaréna George perform Elton John' song "

Idol Idol or Idols may refer to: Religion and philosophy * Cult image, a neutral term for a man-made object that is worshipped or venerated for the deity, spirit or demon that it embodies or represents * Murti, a point of focus for devotion or medit ...

" replacing "It Doesn't Really Matter". *From 7 October concert at Antwerp SportPaleis George perform "Song To The Siren" replacing "Understand". *George Michael performed the song "

Safe A safe (also called a strongbox or coffer) is a secure Lock (security device), lockable box used for securing valuable objects against theft or fire. A safe is usually a hollow cuboid or cylinder, with one face being removable or hinged to form ...

" on 29 October concert in London's

Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington, London. One of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, it is held in trust for the nation and managed by a registered charity which receives no govern ...

, 1 and 3 November concerts in

Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of the Wicklow Mountains range. At the 2016 ...

's The O₂ *From 14 November concert at Prague O₂Arena George perform the song " The Recluse" replacing "Kissing a Fool". *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" was removed, the song "Father Figure" added to the first half of the set-list, the first song after the intermission is 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 White is the lightness, lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully diffuse reflection, reflect and scattering, scatter all the ...

". *On 16 September concert in Birmingham George finished the concert with the song "I Remember You" instead of "White Light" *On 9 October concert in Manchester, George finished the concert with the song "I Remember You" instead of "White Light" and performed "

Star People Star people may refer to: * Native American culture * Star people (Native American belief), name given to astral beings who visited various Native American tribes. * Extraterrestrial life * Star people (New Age belief), individuals who believe th ...

" and " F.E.A.R" by

Ian Brown Ian George Brown (born 20 February 1963) is an English singer and multi-instrumentalist. He was the lead singer of the alternative rock band The Stone Roses from their formation in 1983. Following the split in 1996, he began a solo career, re ...

. *At concert in Liverpool and final shows in London George would finish the concert with "I Remember You".

Shows

;Cancellations and rescheduled shows

References

External links

Official Tour PageGeorge Michael Concert Archive
{{George Michael 2011 concert tours 2012 concert tours George Michael concert tours Orchestral music