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George Michael resumes tour in Vienna | George Michael resumes tour in Vienna |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Singer George Michael has resumed his Symphonica tour in Vienna, thanking the medical staff who treated him for near-fatal pneumonia in the city last year. | Singer George Michael has resumed his Symphonica tour in Vienna, thanking the medical staff who treated him for near-fatal pneumonia in the city last year. |
The star returned to the stage at Wiener Stadthalle after postponing the tour in November when he fell ill. | The star returned to the stage at Wiener Stadthalle after postponing the tour in November when he fell ill. |
Some 300 staff from Vienna's General Hospital attended the show, after being given tickets as a thank you gift. | Some 300 staff from Vienna's General Hospital attended the show, after being given tickets as a thank you gift. |
"This is one of the greatest honours of my life, to sing to the men and women who saved my life," he said. | |
After telling the crowd it was "great to be alive", he performed a rendition of Nina Simone's Feeling Good at the request of one of the doctors. | After telling the crowd it was "great to be alive", he performed a rendition of Nina Simone's Feeling Good at the request of one of the doctors. |
Backed by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Michael sang renditions of Rufus Wainwright's Going To A Town and Sting's Roxanne as well as his own hits. | Backed by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Michael sang renditions of Rufus Wainwright's Going To A Town and Sting's Roxanne as well as his own hits. |
He also performed his new single White Light, inspired by his near-death experience. | He also performed his new single White Light, inspired by his near-death experience. |
"I think given the manner of men and women who did save my life, we could not go without singing this song," he said. | "I think given the manner of men and women who did save my life, we could not go without singing this song," he said. |
Michael donated 1,000 tickets to medical staff. However, Austrian media reported that, with the singer's permission, the hospital sold its remaining tickets to raise money for lung disease research. | Michael donated 1,000 tickets to medical staff. However, Austrian media reported that, with the singer's permission, the hospital sold its remaining tickets to raise money for lung disease research. |
The singer had completed 46 of the original 65 dates of his European tour when he was taken ill hours before he was due to perform in Vienna. | The singer had completed 46 of the original 65 dates of his European tour when he was taken ill hours before he was due to perform in Vienna. |
Diagnosed with severe pneumonia, he spent a month in intensive care. He revealed last month he had been "very close" to death and the experience had left a five-week gap in his memory. | Diagnosed with severe pneumonia, he spent a month in intensive care. He revealed last month he had been "very close" to death and the experience had left a five-week gap in his memory. |
Following a second date in Vienna on Wednesday, Michael will perform in Paris for an Aids charity gala this weekend and then in Amsterdam before moving on to the UK. | Following a second date in Vienna on Wednesday, Michael will perform in Paris for an Aids charity gala this weekend and then in Amsterdam before moving on to the UK. |
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