Rufus Wainwright`s Unmistakable Sound Fuses with WSO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rufus Wainwright’s Unmistakable Sound Fuses with WSO
Winnipeg, MB – March 2, 2016 – Innovative music maverick Rufus Wainwright, who
continues to make incredible accomplishments in the realms of singing, songwriting,
composing, and acting, will meld his unmistakable voice, piano-playing, original songs, and
unique flare with the 67 musicians of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) for three
shows, March 11-13, at the Centennial Concert Hall.
Affectionately referred to by Elton John as “the greatest songwriter on the planet” and
praised by the New York Times for his “genuine originality,” GRAMMY®-nominee Rufus
Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists and songwriters of
his generation. He is the son of folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle and
the brother of Martha Wainwright, but Rufus has achieved his success by carving out his
own singular sound in the worlds of rock, opera, theater, dance and film.
Rufus has released seven studio albums and two live albums to date, including his
acclaimed GRAMMY® nominated Rufus Does Judy At Carnegie Hall!, which captured his
celebrated Judy Garland tribute performance at the London Palladium in 2007. Rufus has
received Juno Awards for Best Alternative Album in 1999 and 2002 for Rufus Wainwright
and Poses, respectively, and nominations for his albums Want Two (2005) and Release the
Stars (2008). He was nominated for Songwriter of the Year in 2008 for his Release the
Stars album. Wainwright’s much acclaimed first opera, titled Prima Donna, premiered at the
Manchester International Festival in July 2009. The opera made its London debut at
Sadler’s Wells in April 2010, and its North American debut in Toronto at the Luminato
Festival in June 2010.
Musically Rufus has collaborated with many artists including, most recently, Robbie
Williams, co-writing and dueting on the title track of Robbie’s Swing Both Ways album.
Rufus has also worked with Elton John, Paul Simon, Antony, David Byrne, Joni Mitchell,
Robert Wilson, Lou Reed, the Pet Shop Boys, Guy Chambers and Boy George among
others.
For his WSO takeover, Rufus will perform hits such as Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk, Going
to a Town, April Fools and Vibrate, plus Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana: Intermezzo and
Jean Renoir and Georges van Parys’ Complainte de la Butte.
Air Canada Pops Series
The Best of Rufus Wainwright
Centennial Concert Hall
Rufus Wainwright, singer-songwriter
Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Pop Series Sponsor:
Friday, Mar 11 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Mar 12 - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, Mar 13 - 2:00 p.m.
Presenting Media Sponsor:
Official Radio Station of the WSO Air Canada Pops:
MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING
Pre-concert performance on the Piano Nobile.
Friday, 7:15 p.m.
Manitoba Conservatory of Music & Arts Cello Ensemble
Saturday, 7:15 p.m.
St. Germain Music Studio
Sunday, 1:15 p.m.
Manitoba Chapter of Canadian Music Competition:
Provincial Competitors
Tickets start at $25 and are available through the WSO Box Office: 204.949.3999 or wso.ca
or Ticketmaster: 1.855.985.ARTS and Ticketmaster.ca
THE BEST OF RUFUS WAINWRIGHT MEDIA CALL:
Friday, March 11, 2016
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Centennial Concert Hall, 555 Main Street
Media to arrive at back stage entrance Lily Street.
Please RSVP to the media call by emailing spanas@wso.mb.ca
About WSO:
The WSO is integral to Winnipeg's rich cultural life, delighting more than 100,000 audience
members each year with innovative programming and musical excellence. The WSO
presents educational programs for more than 40,000 students annually and tours to
communities across Manitoba.
-30MEDIA: For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Sarah Panas, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
p. (204) 949-3970
e: spanas@wso.mb.ca