Rufus
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Rufus Wainwright marks his sixth studio album with ‘All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu’, released April 5th on Polydor Records.
Written by Rufus Wainwright, produced by Rufus (with Pierre Marchand on three songs) and mixed by Marchand, who produced “Poses,” this 12-track record is steeped in beauty. It is a hugely personal album for Rufus and deeply emotional, channelled through Rufus’ fingers, his voice and a piano.
The album title ‘All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu’ is both a reference to Shakespeare's ‘Sonnet 43’ and Rufus’ own concept of ‘Lulu’, which he describes as a "dark, brooding, dangerous woman that lives within all of us." ‘Lulu’ is Louise Brooks who starred in the film, 'Pandora's Box.'
Rufus admits that recording ‘All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu’ was one of the most difficult things he has ever done. “After hiding behind a 70-piece orchestra with my opera you can blame everything on the tuba player. With this album when the curtain is raised it’s me on my own,” says Rufus.
Strapped with a resounding emotional heft, the intense 12-track record opens in arresting fashion with ‘Who Are You New York’, Rufus’ ode to the city and his most positive America song. ‘Les Feux D’Artifice T’Appellant’, which is the final aria from Rufus’ debut opera ‘Prima Donna’ is another highlight. ‘Zebulon,’ a song about one of Rufus’ high school sweethearts will be familiar to fans who have seen his recent concerts, is a majestic performance.
Also featured are three Shakespeare sonnets, which Rufus has gorgeously crafted in his very own inimitable style. They are selected from 24 pieces of music that Rufus wrote for a theatrical production directed by Robert Wilson in Berlin last year.
Set to be one of the highlights for 2010’s musical calendar, Rufus Wainwright will recreate the intensity of ‘All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu’ on an 11-date solo UK tour in April. Rufus will be armed and dangerous with a piano and microphone and a visually stunning new stage production.
"It's an opportunity to have this slight moment of intimacy with me, which I know everybody wants,” laughs Rufus.
Following ‘Prima Donna’s’ hugely successful premiere at Manchester International Festival in 2009, Rufus Wainwright’s acclaimed opera will make its London premiere in April at Sadler’s Wells from Monday 12th to Saturday 17th - (Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat).
Rufus Wainwright UK tour dates are:
April
Tue 13th LONDON, Sadler's Wells
Thu 15th GLASGOW, Royal Concert Hall
Fri 16th EDINBURGH, Usher Hall
Sat 17th SHEFFIELD, City Hall
Mon 19th GATESHEAD, The Sage
Tue 20th BIRMINGHAM, Symphony Hall
Thu 22nd MANCHESTER, Apollo
Fri 23rd BRISTOL, Colston Hall
Sun 25th NOTTINGHAM, Royal Concert Hall
Mon 26th OXFORD, New Theatre
Thurs 29th IPSWICH Regent Theatre
‘All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu’ Tracklisting
1. Who Are You New York?
2. So Sad With What I Have
3. Martha
4. Give Me What I Want And Give It To Me Now
5. True Loves
6. Sonnet 43
7. Sonnet 20
8. Sonnet 10
9. The Dream
10. What Would I Ever Do With A Rose?
11. Les Feux D’Artifice T’Appellant
12. Zebulon
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