Palermo Magic with Sting - Triumph last night for the former Police frontman...

On a midsummer night, even Palermo can seem magical: an area abandoned and tortured over the years, just steps from the Cala sea, suddenly reclaimed and transformed into a captivating place: a meadow, the ruins of a castle, and countless coloured lights. A stage with 46 Sicilian musicians and the captivating energy of Sting.

For one evening, Palermo was the capital of music. For one evening, Palermo seemed like a European capital capable of hosting and managing an international event. In the Sicilian capital, in the rediscovered space of the Catello a Mare, the former Police frontman kicked off his European tour, and it was a triumph. Around 4,000 spectators were literally captivated by the pop star's music and his overflowing charisma: "I'm very happy to be here, it's my first time in Palermo," Sting began in a delightful Italian accented by an English accent. A farewell much appreciated by the audience, who gave him plenty of applause and affection, and who accompanied him with a relentless chorus that grew louder when he sang the tune of "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic." Magical, like the atmosphere he created in a Palermo unfamiliar with such evenings. A midsummer night the Sicilian capital will not soon forget.

Jeans and a gray T-shirt, smiling and relaxed, Sting pleased everyone: from "Roxanne" to "Englishman in New York" (watch the video), from "Fragile" to "Russians," all his former band's greatest hits arrived one after the other. The notes were embellished with the classic chords of the Sicilian orchestra in a perfect mix. Pop became classic, classic became modern. Pure harmony. Which for one evening, aided by a glamorous moon, made Palermo a magical city.

Two giant screens flanked the stage and all the seats were occupied. At least for the first part of the concert. Until the rhythm and enthusiasm infected his fans, who abandoned their seats to dance and sing just a few meters away. Just after the barriers. With Sting, despite initial concerns about security, encouraging them to come closer. As with any self-respecting concert, the seats remained almost entirely empty.

A farewell to Palermo, a thank you to its faithful conductor, Sarah Hicks, "the most beautiful" as Sting called her, and to the Artuto Toscanini Orchestra of Palermo, cited practically from beginning to end. And the evening, the magical evening in Palermo, ended just as midnight struck.

(c) BlogSicilia by Antonella Sferrazza