Rufus Wainwright's Last Song Of Summer At The Watermill Center

By Brian Kelly | 1 Comment

Rufus Wainwright will be performing this Saturday at the "Last Song of Summer," a fundraising benefit for the arts at the Watermill Center joined by virtuoso female opera singer Jessye Norman.

One of the great pop songwriters and male vocalists of his generation, Rufus Wainwright, 35, will be performing this Saturday at the "Last Song of Summer," a fundraising benefit for the arts at the Watermill Center joined by virtuoso female opera singer Jessye Norman. Wainwright is most often associated with his unique orchestral popular music, most notably on the soundtracks of "Moulin Rouge" and "Shrek", which has globally captivated critics and audiences alike for the past 15 years for its depth, originality, and sheer musicality.

This past year Wainwright was commissioned to produce an opera, "Prima Donna," for the Met - a passion of his that has yet to be tapped and commercially explored. In a recent interview he spoke about the work-in-progress of his opera, the upcoming show at the Watermill Center, his role as a homosexual artist, and the future of his pop career.

Is this your first time visiting the Hamptons?

Rufus Wainwright: Oh no. I grew up going to Shelter Island, and as kid I use to bike around and pretend that I lived in town.

Do you have any places of interest that you'd like to visit while in town?

RW: Aside from the Watermill Center, probably the beach, I'm a beach babe. And maybe I'll look at some real estate while I'm out here too.

You will be performing with Jessye Norman, the distinguished opera singer, can you explain how you hooked up with her?

RW: She is a huge supporter and collaborator of Bob's [Robert Wilson]. I'm the new addition in this whole process. They have extended their generosity in what will be a meeting of the "old meets the new." I'm delighted by this opportunity and look forward to the event.

I've read that you have a strong appreciation for opera. When did this admiration first develop and what about the music were you drawn to?

RW: It happened when I was 14. It happened overnight. I was completely logical and sane as much as a teenager could be when I heard Verdi's "Requiem." The next day I was utterly hooked by its pure beauty and power.

You've been given a grant to compose an opera with the Met. Tell us about the progress of this?

RW: I'm working on it, but it is not finished. I guess I just wanted to write an opera. I came up with a good story, and if you find the right story then the elements just fall into place.

What is the major difference between writing for an opera in comparison to writing the pop records you've made throughout your career?

RW: I've been struggling with radio all my pop life. Remixing and editing singles so they can be played on the radio, and to be honest, it can be a major drag. When writing this opera it allows for a certain freedom and expressiveness that I really value in creating.

You have a variety of music influences in composing your craft to even a world influence. Is there something, a common thread, that you feel binds your music?

RW: I just want it to be good, whether it is opera, or pop, or some contemporary atonal crap - it should be something that is an instinctive experience. You really can't quantify it.

You've made mention of doing a solo piano record. Is this something you are working on right now?

RW: I'm working on it right now. For a while now I've wanted to try something that wasn't so baroque and Beatles-orchestral sounding. So yes, I'm working, working, working.

Do you ever feel a certain social responsibility as an artist with such wide exposure?

RW: Being that I'm an American and I'm gay only heightens a kind of political awareness. By being gay you are still under a threat and who can help but be sensitive to this.

If not a musician what would Rufus Wainwright be?

RW: He'd be a painter, and there'd be silence - and this is something that I [would] miss a little too much.

• The Watermill Center was founded in 1992 by Robert Wilson as an international, multi-disciplinary center for studies in the arts and humanities which has been deemed as the 'floating star' out in the woods. For tickets and information contact 212-253-7484.