Sting - world-renowned singer, composer, actor and activist - will join forces with Northern Sinfonia in June 2005 in his native Northeast. The international chart-topper, who rose to fame as the front man of The Police and went onto global acclaim as a solo artist is to sing Waters of Tyne in an event, which forms part of The Sage Gateshead's opening year of celebrations. Sting commented: "It's really exciting for me to know that this spectacular building The Sage Gateshead will enable visiting musicians to experience this vibrant area. I know how important music is to young people and I am delighted that many more of them will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge, skills and interest in all kinds of music. It will be really extraordinary to perform at this spectacular event to celebrate the opening of The Sage Gateshead."
David Lang - composer - has been specially commissioned by the venue to arrange the traditional Northeast folk tune for orchestra. Lang is musically adventurous, yet deeply versed in the classical tradition and is determined to make music that resists categorization.
Jules Fisher & Peggy Eisenhauer of Third Eye Entertainment will design the lighting scheme for the event. Eisenhauer comments: "It is our intent to transform the dynamic landscape of river and bridges with light, to present a triumphant vision of the new skyline of The Sage Gateshead. Through the use of musically programmed lighting changes we hope to reveal this spectacular building with dramatic integrity. We are thrilled to be participants in this artistic collaboration with Philippe Petit, Sting, Northern Sinfonia and David Lang, along with the artistic team of The Sage Gateshead.
Philippe Petit's inclined walk - the most technically demanding - will add another link between Newcastle and Gateshead when the world's greatest living artist of the high wire walks from Newcastle Quayside to the upper façade of The Sage Gateshead.
Anthony Sargent, general director of The Sage Gateshead comments: "It has always been central to our vision that The Sage Gateshead would invite the world's leading artists here to create, in collaboration, those extraordinary unforgettable kinds of project that arise when great minds meet. I am enormously proud that we have been able to bring this fabulously inventive team together to create an event that I'm sure no one who sees it will ever forget - truly a spectacular climax to our opening season in our wonderful new home."
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
