BRUSSELS PHILHARMONIC, RUFUS WAINWRIGHT & CLARK RUNDELL

16.03.2024 — 20:00

Bozar, Henry Le Boeuf Hall

tickets

Brussels Philharmonic

Rufus Wainwright – composition, vocals

Clark Rundell – musical direction

Daniel MacIvor – libretto Hadrian

Davóne Tines – Hadrian

Denzil Delaere – Antinous

Iris van Wijnen – Plotina

Katrien Baerts – Sabina

Christian Federici – Turbo

Jörn Weisbrodt – concept, design

Robert Mapplethorpe – photography

Coproduction

Klarafestival, Bozar, Brussels Philharmonic

19:30 Interview with Jörn Weisbrodt by Neil Wallace (EN)

Bozar, Salon Ovale

Rufus Wainwright has loved opera since childhood. According to the Canadian composer and singer-songwriter, no other theatre genre allows life’s full spectrum to explode in so many colours. In 2009 he unveiled his first opera Prima Donna to the world. Hadrian followed in 2018, a deeply felt portrait of the Roman emperor who went down in history as a complex leader with a focus on art, philosophy and diplomacy. A perhaps lesser-known facet of his life was his open homosexuality. Together with librettist Daniel McIvor, Wainwright zooms in on the last day of Hadrian's life, and on his love for the young Antinous.

In addition to the staged production, there is now also a version for the concert hall: shorter but no less intense, with projected images by cult photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Brussels Philharmonic accompanies five soloists through the gripping story, including the pioneering bass-baritone Davóne Tines in the title role. Following an intermission, Wainwright will sing selections from his song repertoire.