George Michael has announced he will be releasing his sixth studio album, Symphonica, on March 17th. The album was recorded during his 2011-2012 Symphonica tour, which visited cities around Europe over a 14 month period.

In his performance in Paris, Michael became the first contemporary artist to perform at the Palais Garnier Opera House. Michael performed hits from his own repertoire as well as covers of David Bowie, Elton John and Nina Simone. He also fulfilled a longstanding ambition of performing alongside an orchestra.

The album will be released as a deluxe 17 track CD, a standard 14 track album and as a Blu-Ray disc. The album will contain both original compositions and covers, similar to the sets he performed on tour.

Fans of Michael’s Facebook page will be able to download a free orchestral version of “Praying For Time”. The album’s official lead single, a cover of Terence Trent D’Arby’s ‘Let Her Down Easy’ will come out digitally on the 17th of March alongside a video by director Vaughan Arnell.

Michael worked with legendary producer and 14 time Grammy winner Phil Ramone, who has produced hundreds of artists including Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Luciano Pavarotti, Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, Ray Charles, Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Aretha Franklin and Barbra Streisand. Ramone also produced Michael’s 1999 album “Songs From the Last Century” and sadly died of a brain aneurysm in March 2013 at age 79.

Symphonica will be Michael’s first full length release since “Patience” in 2004, as well as his battle with pneumonia in 2011 and car crash last May.