Streisand (concert tour)

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Barbra Streisand’s Streisand Tour ran from October 4, 2006, to July 25, 2007. It included 29 shows in two legs: 20 in North America and 9 in Europe. The tour was Streisand’s first U.S. tour since 2000 and her first live concerts since her “farewell” shows a few years earlier; it was also her first time performing in Canada. In May 2007 she announced a European leg, making it her first major European tour in 13 years.

The tour opened in Philadelphia and was promoted by Michael Cohl and The Next Adventure. Ticket prices were very high for some venues, with VIP seats selling for substantial amounts. Il Divo were the special guests in North America, singing three songs with Streisand and performing their own set in the middle of the show. For the European run, Il Divo were replaced by four Broadway singers, and the set list was tweaked to include songs like Papa Can You Hear Me? and You Don’t Bring Me Flowers. The production featured a 58-piece orchestra and an open, stage-with-walkways design, with Streisand entering from the center and moving around the stage on lifts and platforms. One notable moment in the early shows was a political sketch by Steve Bridges that drew mixed reactions from the crowd.

The North American leg was very successful, breaking box-office records in many arenas. The opening show at the Wachovia Center grossed about $5.4 million. In total, the North American leg grossed around $92 million. The two-night Florida shows at Sunrise were recorded for a Showtime special, and a DVD release titled Barbra Streisand: The Concerts followed years later. A companion live album, Live in Concert 2006, was released in May 2007.

The European leg had its share of controversy, with some high-priced tickets causing reader backlash and the Rome show struggling to sell early on. A Nice, France show was canceled, and a Stockholm concert was called off after doctors advised Streisand not to sing that day. Nevertheless, Berlin drew a large crowd, and Paris honored Streisand with the Legion of Honour.

Repertoire varied by date, but the set list typically featured classics such as Evergreen, People, The Way We Were, and Don’t Rain on My Parade. In North America the show used a formal, club-like stage arrangement, while some European performances included additional songs and changes to the arrangement. The tour’s overall run solidified Streisand’s reputation for high-profile, high-grossing live concerts.