Sting’s winter’s tale to fill Durham Cathedral

Sep 12 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

MUSIC fans wanting to see Tyneside-born superstar Sting perform at Durham Cathedral are likely to be left disappointed.

The former frontman of The Police will be performing a world premiere of his forthcoming album If On Winter’s Night to a strictly invitation-only audience on Thursday and Friday evenings.

The performances will feature up to 40 musicians – many of whom hail from the North East – including renowned Northumbrian piper Kathryn Tickell.

The new album is said to be a mixture of folk and medieval with a winter’s theme.

Both performances are being filmed for a future DVD release.

Durham Cathedral’s dean and chapter agreed to the request from the production company to allow the performances to be recorded.

Chapter steward Anne Heywood said everyone at the cathedral was pleased to welcome Wallsend-born Sting back to the region, but said that as a result daytime visits during next week will be slightly restricted while lighting and sound equipment is set up.

She said: “The cathedral is delighted to welcome a local lad back. It’s something we’ve never done before – certainly not an event of this type. But we believe it shows the diversity of the cathedral.

“He specifically asked if he could play at the cathedral and come back to his roots, and we’re happy to oblige. The performance will be in the crossing, where we normally hold musical events, and will be for an invited audience only.”

Sting and his entourage are currently staying in Durham.

Speaking about the new album earlier this year, Sting said: “The theme of winter is rich in inspiration and material. By filtering all of these disparate styles into one album I hope we have created something refreshing and new.”

The album saw him collaborating with renowned producer Robert Sadin, and several guest musicians including his longtime guitarist Dominic Miller.

It follows his critically-acclaimed 2006 album Songs from the Labyrinth which was inspired by the lute songs of English composer John Dowland.