George Michael’s Symphony For Elizabeth Taylor

The European tour features the English singer/songwriter performing tracks from across his nearly 30-year career in addition to some of his favorite tunes from other artists. The songs will be re-worked and re-arranged for the orchestra backing him.

“Symphonica: The Orchestral Tour” begins in Czech Republic at Prague’s State Opera House Aug. 22. Dates are booked through a series of December gigs at London’s Earls Court in addition to an April 2012 show in Paris.

The Nov. 6 show at London’s Royal Opera House will benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s new Elizabeth Taylor Memorial Fund, which will further the foundation’s mission of helping people infected or affected by HIV. All net proceeds from the black-tie charity event will be used to create and manage the fund in Taylor’s memory.  

“I have seen how HIV can affect people lives, how it can destroy families and communities,” Michael said in a statement posted to his website.  “The way that the Elton John AIDS Foundation gets help to the people around the World who need it most – often the most marginalized communities – really spurred me on to do something.” 

Michael added that he wanted to create the fund to “honour the inspiring efforts that Elizabeth Taylor made – especially in the early years of the epidemic.”

BBC News pointed out that Taylor, who died in March at age 79, founded the American Foundation for Aids Research following the death of her fellow actor and friend Rock Hudson in 1985. 

Tickets for the Royal Opera House benefit show go on sale to the general public June 26 through the venue’s box office and website.

For more information, click here for George Michael’s website.