10, 12, 14, 17 & 19 July / Palace Theatre
‘A love song to opera’ The Times, 4-stars
‘Disarmingly beautiful’ New York Times
‘Thrilling’ Manchester Evening News
‘Breathtaking design’ The Guardian
Watch an interview with Rufus Wainwright at the premiere of Prima Donna
View pictures of the show here
(Video clip below.)
Paris. Bastille Day. 1970. Régine Saint Laurent, once the world’s most revered operatic soprano, is preparing for her return to the stage after six years of silence. But in doing so, Régine is forced to confront the ghosts of her past. Can she defeat the demons that destroyed her career, and emerge triumphantly once more into the spotlight?
Prima Donna is composed by the acclaimed singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright and realised with award-winning director Daniel Kramer, British designer Antony McDonald, leading French conductor Pierre-André Valade, celebrated soprano Janis Kelly and the combined talents of Opera North.
| Composer | Rufus Wainwright | |
| Director | Daniel Kramer | |
| Conductor | Pierre-André Valade | |
| Designer | Antony McDonald | |
| Lighting | Peter Mumford | |
| Choreographer | Philippe Giraudeau | |
| Co-librettist | Bernadette Colomine | |
| French Language Coach | Nicole Tibbels | |
| Régine | Janis Kelly | |
| Philippe | Jonathan Summers | |
| Marie | Rebecca Bottone | |
| André | William Joyner | |
| François | Steve Kirkham |
Performed by the Orchestra of Opera North
Watch more clips of Rufus Wainwright on Prima Donna here – clip 2 clip 3
Commissioned by Manchester International Festival and Luminato, Toronto.
Produced by Manchester International Festival and Opera North.
With thanks to Alistair Spalding for his collaboration and support. Developed with the support of Sound and Music.
Image: Janis Kelly / soprano © Antony Crook
