Bennett covers the classics opening night

Joe Delaney

Friday, May 15, 1998 | 11:13 a.m.

Seinfeld's television farewell notwithstanding, Tony Bennett had a capacity crowd, 1,200 strong, in the Caesars Palace Circus Maximus at 8 p.m. Thursday, opening night. We were rewarded with 95 minutes of the very best of Tony Bennett, superior piano accompanist-arranger-song selector Ralph Sharon and his quartet and the excellent, full Johnny Haig Orchestra plus french horns and strings, conducted by Vincent Falcone.

Sharon was introduced first at the piano, then Tony entered and it's just voice and piano for "The Best Is Yet To Come," "If I Could Be With You," "Autumn Leaves," and "I Love A Piano." The full orchestra was revealed and Tony sang "When Do The Bells Ring For Me," "Just In Time," "Smile," "I Got Rhythm," with the quartet only, and "I Got Lost In Her Arms."

It was back to the quartet for "Rags To Riches," Hank Williams' "Cold Cold Heart" and "Laughing At Life," "Me, Myself And I" and "All Of Me" as a Billie Holiday tribute. "When Joanna Loves Me" (orchestra); "S'wonderful" (quartet); the orchestra again for "Who Can I Turn To," "I Wanna Be Around" and his signature song, "I Left My Heart In San Francisco."

A magnificent performance concluded with: "Steppin' Out With My Baby"; "A Foggy Day In London"; "You're All The World To Me"; "They Can't Take That Away From Me"; "They All Laughed"; "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"; "People"; "Old Devil Moon"; "The Lady's In Love With You"; "It Don't Mean A Thing"; "Fly Me To The Moon" with the verse; "Just A Little Street" and "How Do You Keep The Music Playing."

JOE DELANEY is a Sun entertainment critic.