Freddie's Not Dead

All hail Freddie Mercury of Queen. Nearly sixteen years after his death, his music lives on in a wide array of locales, ranging from football stadiums, where "We Are the Champions" remains de rigueur whenever trophies are being hoisted, to tony joints like Boettcher Concert Hall, the setting for tonight's One Vision: The Music of Queen concert. Wailing in Mercury's absence is Michael Shotten, lead singer of the One Vision ensemble, whose credits include commercials for Coke, Coors and Foster's Light. But if that seems something of a letdown, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra's participation should provide appropriate compensation. Queen's members took pride in using standard instruments to achieve their grandiose effects. The liner notes for 1975's A Night at the Opera sported the boast "No Synthesizers!" — and none will be needed tonight, either.

The Music of Queen begins at 7:30 p.m. in Boettcher, in the Denver Performing Arts Complex; tickets are $15 to $69.50. Learn more at 303-623-7876 or www.coloradosymphony.org.
Sat., Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m., 2008