STING will return to his Geordie roots to combine his talents with a world-renowned high-wire artist and leading orchestra to create an unforgettable extravaganza.

The Tyneside-born star was at the Baltic arts centre, Gateshead, yesterday to announce that he and the Northern Sinfonia will perform the traditional classic Waters of Tyne while high-wire walker Philippe Petit crosses the River Tyne to the upper facade of The Sage.

The event, on June 21 next year will be one of the first showcases for the multi-million pound Sage music centre.

The £70m centre, which features a glass roof, will open later this year.

Sting said: "It is 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 was my idea to use an old song from the area, Waters of the Tyne, combining orchestra and voice in a new modern way, rather than coming up with something entirely new."

He said his contribution was to "pay a debt back to where I came from... a community which nurtured me."

Composer David Lang has been commissioned by the Sage to arrange the traditional folk tune.

Paul Collard, the creative director of Culture10, which is leading Tyneside's cultural renaissance, said: "Sting's contribution epitomises the true ethos of our Culture10 ambitions. He is an internationally renowned artist creating world-class music for a project rooted in the hearts and minds of the people of Tyneside."

l Sting will today return to the venue of his first paid gig to rename the theatre that helped him realise his dreams. He will rename Newcastle's Playhouse Theatre as the Northern Stage before it closes for an 18-month renovation project.

Tonight, he will begin a UK tour with a concert at Newcastle Arena.

Published: 07/05/2004