Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus McGarrigle Wainwrightis an American-Canadian singer-songwriter and composer. He has recorded seven albums of original music and numerous tracks on compilations and film soundtracks. He has also written a classical opera and set Shakespeare sonnets to music for a theater piece by Robert Wilson...
NationalityCanadian
ProfessionOpera Singer
Date of Birth22 July 1973
CityRhinebeck, NY
CountryCanada
jobs thinking done
I think I've done a pretty fantastic job, but of course I want to sell millions of records.
love-is
I love being not cool.
fun growing-up years
Growing up, for years and years I had no idea what the plots of operas were, and that's part of what fascinated me - I could make them up and learn bits and pieces of what was going on over time. There's something about it being always a step away that makes it more fun to chase.
writing people musical
I should write a musical. That is probably one of the final areas that I should pay attention to, because it does kind of involve everything. It's got theatre, it's got young, pretty people... And it's got money!
song miracle healthy
I definitely consider 'Poses' - the whole album in fact - to be kind of a miracle. Like the last breath of that moment when decadence is healthy, 'Poses' encapsulates that feeling. It's a kind of song and a kind of album that I'll never be able to repeat.
profound relax wish
I wish I could just relax sometimes and make some money, but I always feel like I have to prove some kind of big, profound point.
thinking elitist bits
I think we could all be a bit more elitist.
singing mahler sibelius
I like to sing to Verdi, I like singing to Sibelius, and Mahler maybe.
needs realizing illness
Once illness strikes, you realize there's not a lot of time for you to do what you really need to do. And there's no time like the present.
mother children party
My mother had a lot of parties when I was a child. There'd always be a moment when she would place me on the upright piano and have me sing Somewhere 'Over the Rainbow'.
hate believe artist
The thing I hate most is false modesty. The artists who are, like, 'Oh, you know, I'm really not that good. Oh, I can't believe I'm here.' I find it vaguely sinister, even.
lessons wonderful sober
Well, my great lesson with that was I went to the same production twice - once completely high and once completely sober - and both times were equally wonderful.
mother song tragedy
My mother's songs are really turning out to be masterpieces. I have inherited this incredible legacy and am so fortunate to bathe in her sensibilities. It is tinged with tragedy. I'd much rather she was here in person, but there is still a positive force to come out of her death and that is having the gift of music that she gave.
dad my-dad
My dad and I have always been somewhat competitive.