Thousands gathered in an atrium off the Hudson River last night to hear a free concert by Rufus Wainwright and friends. A diverse crowd of young and old sat in chairs, plopped down on steps, and stood where they could for a selection of Wainwright’s favorite arias, personal hits, and selections from his new opera Prima Donna.
“We’re here for some of the best opera songs,” Wainwright said playfully, “mine.”
The booming opera voices barely needed amplification (even if a translator would’ve been helpful) as they carried deep, romantic emotions to all the untrained ears, even those in the way back.
“It’s great to be here, with the mix of opera, pop, and palm trees,” Wainwright said, referring to the indoor palm trees that nearly stretched to the ceiling.
The show was held at the World Financial Center Winter Garden as part of the River to River Festival. Beforehand, men and women in black tie were out on Vesey Street drumming up support for the New York City Opera, which is having well-documented troubles but also where Prima Donna should be opening in 2012. Hopefully the pop-opera singer’s well-known name can help the ailing company. If the numbers of people gathered inside were any indication, it certainly should.
The performance spanned 12 songs and lasted about an hour-and-half, throughout which everyone seemed to stay seated in rapt attention.
Joining him, and singing in Italian, French, and German, were Anne-Carolyn Bird (soprano), Laura Vlasak Nolen (mezzo-soprano), Robert Mack (tenor), Mathew Burns (bass-baritone), and Kevin Murphy (on piano).
“Berlin, London, all great cities of the world, but New York means more to me,” Wainwright said towards the end of the concert, before ultimately walking off with his fellow opera singers and blowing kisses to a standing ovation. [words & images by Michael Mccutcheon)
