World-renowned musician Sting is returning to The Florida Orchestra for an intimate performance of his greatest hits reimagined for a symphony orchestra, TFO announced today. Music Director Michael Francis will conduct the benefit concert Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 8 pm at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg. Tickets go on sale to orchestra subscribers only this Wednesday, Feb. 28.

“An Intimate Evening with Sting and The Florida Orchestra: A Gala Concert” puts the iconic rock star and former front man of The Police center stage for reinterpreted versions of fan favorites drawn from his illustrious career of No. 1 hits and multiplatinum albums. Selections will include Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, Englishman In New York, Fields of Gold, Roxanne, Every Breath You Take and many more.

Tickets go on sale to TFO subscribers and top donors at 10 am Wednesday, Feb. 28, and to the general public at 10 am Wednesday, March 6. Prices are $100, $200, $300 $400, $550 and $750. Tickets will be available only through The Florida Orchestra: online at FloridaOrchestra.org, by phone at 727.892.3337, or in person at TFO’s Ticket Center, 244 Second Ave. N (first floor) in downtown St. Petersburg.

The benefit concert is generously presented by The Cassaly Foundation and Schmidt Investments. Maestro Sponsor is Mark & Marianne Mahaffey, The Mahaffey Apartment Co.

Gold Patron sponsorships include prime concert seats. Limited availability. Contact Chief Development Officer Susana Weymouth: sweymouth@floridaorchestra.org or 727.362.5430. VIP Sponsorships for the pre-gala dinner are sold out. All proceeds support TFO’s high standard of artistic excellence as well as free education and community programs that serve the Tampa Bay community.

Sting’s first performance with TFO is legendary – a magical night celebrating the orchestra’s 50th anniversary in 2017. Fans lined up around the block, and tickets sold out in days. Rave reviews called the concert “magical,” “mesmerizing” and “tremendously moving.”

In Sting’s distinguished career, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has received 17 GRAMMY Awards® and sold 100 million albums worldwide from his combined work as one of the most distinctive solo artists in the world and former front man of The Police. A composer, singer-songwriter, actor, author and activist, Sting also has received a Golden Globe, four Oscar nominations, a Tony nomination, Billboard Magazine’s Century Award and Kennedy Center Honors.

The Florida Orchestra serves our community with more than 150 concerts and music education and outreach programs throughout Tampa Bay each season, including a wide range of classical, popular and family-friendly music. All tickets and info at FloridaOrchestra.org.

About Sting

Composer, singer-songwriter, actor, author, and activist Sting was born in Newcastle, England before moving to London in 1977 to form The Police with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers. The band released five studio albums, earned six GRAMMY Awards® and two Brits, and was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

As one of the world’s most distinctive solo artists, Sting has received an additional 11 GRAMMY Awards®, two Brits, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, four Oscar nominations, a TONY nomination, Billboard Magazine’s Century Award, and MusiCares 2004 Person of the Year.

In 2003, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for his myriad of contributions to music. Also a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, he has received the Kennedy Center Honors, The American Music Award of Merit and The Polar Music Prize. Sting has been awarded Honorary Doctorates of Music by the University of Northumbria (1992), Berklee College of Music (1994), University of Newcastle upon Tyne (2006) and Brown University at its 250th Commencement ceremony (2018).

Throughout his illustrious career, Sting has sold 100 million albums from his combined work with The Police and as a solo artist.

Sting’s support for human rights organizations such as the Rainforest Fund, Amnesty International, and Live Aid mirrors his art in its universal outreach.  Along with wife, Trudie Styler, Sting founded the Rainforest Fund in 1989 to protect both the world’s rainforests and the indigenous people living there. Together they have held 19 benefit concerts to raise funds and awareness for our planet’s endangered resources. Since its inception, the Rainforest Fund has expanded to a network of interconnected organizations working in more than 20 countries over three continents. Click for full bio.

About Michael Francis

The 2023-24 season is Michael Francis’ ninth year as music director. With bold innovation and creativity, Maestro Francis has raised artistic excellence to new heights and strengthened the audience’s connection to the music. The internationally acclaimed conductor also is music director of the Mainly Mozart Festival in San Diego and principal conductor of Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz in Germany. Click here.

About The Florida Orchestra

The Florida Orchestra (TFO) is recognized as Tampa Bay’s leading performing arts institution, the largest professional orchestra in Florida, and one of the most vibrant and innovative orchestras in America. This is its 56th season. Under the leadership of Music Director Michael Francis, TFO performs series of classical, popular, and morning concerts in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as well as free Pops in the Park concerts. The orchestra is dedicated to connecting to the community, including family and youth concerts and other educational programs. For tickets and information: FloridaOrchestra.org. The Florida Orchestra is a non-profit 501(c)3 that has earned a 100% score and Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator; EIN: 59-1223691 CH#1830. To learn more how you can support the power of music in building community, contact: sweymouth@floridaorchestra.org  To donate now: FloridaOrchestra.org/donate