Live Review: Rufus Wainwright

Adelaide came out all class tonight as Rufus Wainwright performed along with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. A predominately older, well-connected (noting a Federal Senator or two), well-heeled and dressed-to-the-nines audience shuffled into Adelaide's Festival Theatre to see Rufus Wainwright's Prima Donna operatic concert as well as the man himself performing selected numbers from Rufus Does Judy (Garland), which he's performed previously at Carnegie Hall.

The first half of the evening comprised the visual, symphonic Prima Donna, introduced by Wainwright dressed in a sparkling black suit and matching shoes. The 12-scene opera — composed by Wainwright himself — told a tale of an ageing operatic prima donna (Jacqueline Dark) returning to the stage, fearing her loss of voice, finding love (Andrew Goodwin) along with her voice. Her new love interest apparently forgot he already had a fiancee (Eva Kong), however, breaking said prima donna's heart before she refuses to sign autographs and then eventually dies while watching fireworks from her Parisian apartment window.

The 50-piece Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO), conducted by Guy Simpson, provided exquisite musical backing while footage/still images featuring the celebrated American photographer-cum-actress Cindy Sherman in period costume played out on a full-screen backdrop with subtitles on monitors. The action careered along in an ear-piercing, at times glass-shattering and somewhat confusing, style.  

If you are a lover of opera, well, Prima Donna was just the ticket, but for those among us who were a little less cultured, it was a bit difficult to follow. By the sixth scene this reviewer gave up and just concentrated on appreciating the singers and ASO. However, the audience seemed to understand and appreciate what was happening throughout and there was a standing ovation. Wainwright once again took to the stage, introducing the performers, thanking the entire ASO individually and then all linked arms and bowed.

After a 20-minute intermission, it was time for the second act. Wainwright appeared dressed in a glittering red tuxedo, matching glitter shoes and cummerbund. "And now for something completely different," announced Wainwright, "and don't be afraid if you think you've just dropped acid." The tone was set for the remainder of the evening. Wainwright proceeded in fine voice, backed again by ASO, to deliver selected highlights from his Rufus Does Judy tribute concert, covering some of her more famous numbers such as Swanee, Get Happy, Puttin' On The Ritz and Chicago. And what would a Judy Garland celebration be without the classic Over The Rainbow? Wainwright's voice admittedly is something to behold and, with the backing of ASO, he captivated the crowd.