It is impossible not to not be mesmerized by Sting; the golden locks, the butterscotch voice and a youthful exuberance that belies his 71 years, most of which were spent as a rock star fronting inarguably one of the greatest bands of all time. As a solo artist, he has stretched musical boundaries with forays into jazz, classical and even country. His show with the Pittsburgh symphony orchestra was billed as “his greatest hits reimagined with symphonic arrangement.” He opened fittingly with the bouncy “Englishman in New York” as he strutted across the stage a with a dancer’s precision and up the audience. Throughout the evening, he shared the inspiration and context for many of the songs from his deep catalog. The show was as much about letting the magnificent symphony shine as it was for the two-time Rock and Roll Hall of famer. He said, “I am really happy to be here. These musicians really are world class. Props to assistant conductor Moon Doh.” He was at his best vocally on his solo material. “Shape of my Heart” featured his gorgeous timbre for four minutes while he played a very capable acoustic guitar. He confessed he played and listened to a lot of country music in his youth (or country and western as they say across the pond”) and was over the moon when the late, great Johnny Cash cut “I Hung My Head” There are downsides to working with an orchestra. Classical music is a niche genre and very technical. Sometimes it lacks linear melodies. With only four Police songs in the set and an abundance of solo material, some of which was obscure,  made the show feel disjointed and inaccessible at times. Who knows any of the songs from music from his musical “ The Last Ship?  and made the show the show feel both inaccessible and disjointed at times.  Who has the soundtrack to his musical “The Last Ship?” Oddly, he did not perform Message In a Bottle” which is tantamount to the Stones not playing “Jumping Jack Flash”

With ticket prices ranging from $450 to $1,000 fans deserve to hear his career makers in whatever style he chooses. but at least play it. In an interview with industry great Rick Beato, Sting confessed that he has been around long enough and proved his worth, so he does not have to constrain his endeavors or tussle with label execs. “Basically, I do whatever the F I want”. Sting is the master of the side project.  He has assembled a top-notch jazz band for his first solo album, acted in movies and scored soundtracks and  even released an album of lute music that went No.1 to But as for being a peer in a symphony, this project feels a bit feels a bit self-indulgent.