Sting - Symphonicity...

When Sting wrote classics 'Roxanne' and 'Every Little Thing' it is hard to imagine he did so with the backing of an orchestra in mind.

But for a tantric-esque three hours last night the age-defying 59-year-old surrendered his back catalogue to the Royal Philharmonic - and it was a match made in Manchester heaven.

This was Sting with the sting taken out, even the venue switched from the cavernous M.E.N Arena to the acoustically superior and more intimate Apollo; an invigorating yet relaxing performance for a Monday night crowd with tomorrow morning's commute on their minds.

Of course, pop and classical liaisons are nothing new. Often though, they deteriorate into a mirky battle for superiority. Not here. And by happily handing over the reins Sting emerged the victor.

His work, haunting enough in its original life, was given a swooning edge that saw it silkily sink to even deeper, darker depths.

'Roxanne', stripped of its sharp, high pitches, was a revelation. Melancholic, mournful even. The orchestra put on its red light.

'Shape Of My Heart' was uplifting, almost calypso-like, with the foot-tapping frontman rooted to the spot while his backing group ('the biggest band I've had') bounced up and down with their beat. Twice he moved to the edge of the stage to watch them at work, entranced like the rest of the crowd.

It was only between the songs that Sting took over and like a lecturer preaching to his students he commanded the stage.

"There are two types of love songs," he said, before 'When We Dance'. "'I love you and you love me', which is boring, and 'I love you but you don't love me', which is painful but interesting."

It was hard to argue. More tutorials followed, from a critique of the miners' strike ('it was a complex issue') to the unfounded fears in the Cold War years. There were even quotes from the Bible.

Not that Sting takes himself too seriously, as a spot of line dancing in 'This Cowboy Song', an homage to a Newcastle childhood spent watching Rawhide, proved.

"I didn't like Coronation Street," he said. "It was too much like home."

'If Moon Over Bourbon Street', was a little self indulgent, 'King Of Pain' captured the night at its best.

Crescendo after crescendo had the audience on its feet, applauding the wall of noise from the orchestra.

Still more followed, with standout 'Fragile' a mesmiric haze of sound.

An unlikely triumph? Not so much - this is Sting, remember. Assurance and confidence have never been an issue with this one.

If he could bottle it and sell it to frail sports stars he would make even more millions. He pulled off this one by taking a step back.

And by the end of the night it sounded as though the classics his devoted followers know and love had been made for brass and woodwind.

© Manchester Evening News by Mike Keegan