Yesterday (May 11), George Michael announced major news about his career at a press conference London’s Royal Opera House.
The former lead singer of pop duo Wham! will launch his 47-date Symphonica tour, accompanied by different orchestras across Europe, on August 22 at the State Opera House in Prague.
"The idea of singing with symphonic orchestras around the world is because I heard Tony Bennett had done it recently, and I thought, ‘What a nice idea,’" Michael said. "The idea of singing with this kind of backing has been very attractive to me for a long time."
The Faith hitmaker also announced that he was working on a new album, his first studio album since 2004’s Patience, and that it would be a dance-influenced pop album featuring a “collective” of gay artists.
Michael said it would be "as far removed from the symphonic tour as can be imagined."
"As an artist I’m at the stage where I’m not interested or excited by repeating former successes," he added. The album is expected to be released some time next year.