An opera by Rufus Wainwright
Manchester International Festival
Palace Theatre- July 10-19th, 2009
Manchester, UK
Director Daniel Kramer
Conductor Pierre-André Valade
Performed by the Orchestra of Opera North
Cast:
Régine Saint Laurent – Janis Kelly, soprano
Philippe – Jonathan Summers, baritone
Marie – Rebecca Bottone, soprano
André le Tourneur – William Joyner, tenor
François – Steve Kirkham, non-singing role
Commissioned by Manchester International Festival and Luminato, Toronto. Produced by Manchester International Festival and Opera North. With thanks to Alistair Spalding for his collaboration and support. Developed with the support of Sound and Music.
Sadler’s Wells
Sadler’s Wells- April 12-17th, 2010
London, UK
Director Tim Albery
Conductor Robert Houssart
Cast:
Régine – Janis Kelly, soprano
Philippe – Jonathan Summers, baritone
Marie – Rebecca Bottone, soprano
André – Colin Ainsworth, tenor
Commissioned by Sadler’s Wells, Manchester International Festival, Luminato: Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity and Melbourne International Arts Festival.
Luminato Festival Toronto
Elgin Theatre- June 13, 2010
Toronto, ON, Canada
Director Tim Albery
Conductor Robert Houssart
Cast:
Régine – Janis Kelly, soprano
Philippe – Gregory Dahl, baritone
Marie – Charlotte Ellett, soprano
André – Colin Ainsworth, tenor
François – Joe Bucci, non-singing role
Sophie – Miranda Calderon, non-singing role
Commissioned by Manchester International Festival, Sadler’s Wells, Luminato: Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity, and Melbourne International Arts Festival.
New York City Opera
Brooklyn Academy of Music- February 19, 21, 23 & 25th, 2012
New York, NY, USA
Director Tim Albery
Associate Direction Joanna Turner
Conductor Jayce Ogren
Cast:
Régine – Melody Moore, soprano
Philippe – Randal Turner, baritone
Marie – Kathryn Guthrie Demos, soprano
André – Taylor Stayton, tenor
Sophie – Miranda Calderon, non-singing role
Commissioned by Manchester International Festival, Sadler’s Wells, Luminato: Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity, and Melbourne International Arts Festival.
Press Quotes
“[Rufus has] written a love song to opera, soaked in the perennial operatic themes of loss, betrayal, delusion and nostalgia, and saturated in the musical styles of opera’s golden age.”
The Times UK
“There are inspired touches and disarmingly beautiful passages in this mysterious, stylistically eclectic work.”
-New York Times
“There are yearning arias, powerful ensemble singing… the orchestra, neither intrusive nor over-attentive bring flurries and thunder tenderness with strings, arguments punctuated by trumps of bassoon.”
-The Observer UK
“Prima Donna may not threaten Verdi’s status, but it does confirm Wainwright as a bold experimentalist.”
-Sunday Times Culture UK