On Sunday, February 12 at 7pm, WQXR – the nation’s most listened-to classical radio station – welcomes Juno Award-winning, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright for an intimate evening of performance and conversation at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space.
With musical influences ranging from Verdi operas and Schubert lieder to Edith Piaf and his own parents (folksingers Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright III), Rufus Wainwright has carved out a distinctive niche in the musical world. He will perform several of his own classically-influenced songs, including “Agnus Dei,” and will join WQXR host Terrance McKnight for a conversation about his lifelong love of classical music, and his opera, Prima Donna, which will receive its US premiere by New York City Opera at BAM on February 19.
The evening also includes performances of selections from Prima Donna by cast members soprano Melody Moore, who stars as the opera’s title character, soprano Kathryn Guthrie Demos, baritone RandAl Turner, and tenor Taylor Stayton.
Tickets for the event are $25 and can be purchased at www.thegreenespace.org. In addition, the event will broadcast live on WQXR 105.9FM; will be available as a live video webcast at www.thegreenespace.org; and will stream as an audio webcast on WQXR’s new-music station, Q2 Music, at www.wqxr.org/q2music.
WQXR 105.9 FM is New York City’s only all-classical music station, immersing listeners in the city’s rich musical life. WQXR presents new and landmark classical recordings as well as live concerts from the Metropolitan Opera, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and the New York Philharmonic, among other city venues. WQXR broadcasts essential shows such as the Metropolitan Opera Radio Saturday Matinee Broadcasts, the New York Philharmonic This Week on Thursday evenings, the McGraw-Hill Young Artists Showcase on Wednesday evenings, and Symphony Hall each weeknight. For listeners in search of the new, WQXR also operates Q2 Music, an online music station dedicated to contemporary classical composers, cross-genre adventures, and performances from New York City’s edgier venues. WQXR.org provides essential playlist info for online listening, as well as original content, host blogs, NYC cultural news, videos, and a free App.
