For immediate release

OTTAWA, May 27, 2011 – NAC Presents is delighted to announce that Rufus Wainwright will perform solo for the very first time at the NAC’s Southam Hall on Saturday, November 12, 2011. The two-time JUNO award winner will perform an intimate show on grand piano for this special concert, one night only, at the NAC. This concert is part of the NAC Presents 2011-2012 season that will be unveiled later in the fall. Tickets for this incredible concert will be available for purchase on Wednesday June 1^st at 10 a.m.

Affectionately referred to by Elton John as "the greatest songwriter on the planet" and praised by The New York Times for his "genuine originality," Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists and songwriters of his generation. He is the son of folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, and brother of Martha Wainwright but Rufus has achieved his success by carving out his own singular sound in the worlds of rock, opera, theatre, dance and film.

Wainwright’s much acclaimed first opera, titled Prima Donna, premiered at the Manchester International Festival in July 2009. He has composed a musical adaptation of Shakespeare Sonnets with noted director Robert Wilson at the Berliner Ensemble which premiered in April of 2009 and continues to play to sold out houses.

Wainwright has released eight albums and two DVDs to date, and has appeared on numerous soundtracks and compilations, as well as collaborating with artists like Elton John, David Byrne, Rosanne Cash and Keane. His newest album titled, All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu, was released last Spring. Rufus’ last album was a live recording from his Release The Stars tour titled, Milwaukee At Last!!!. His album prior to that, Rufus Does Judy At Carnegie Hall, was nominated for a Grammy. It was released concurrently with a live DVD (Rufus! Rufus! Rufus! Does Judy! Judy! Judy!) capturing his celebrated Judy Garland tribute performance at the London Palladium in 2007. His previous album, Release The Stars, went Gold in Canada and the U.K.

In addition to Rufus’ musical pursuits, he has also made his mark onscreen.  He has acted in Academy Award winning director Denys Arcand’s film, L’Âge des Ténèbres (2007), the Merchant Ivory film Heights (2005), and the major blockbuster The Aviator (2004) directed by Martin Scorsese. At age 14 he composed and sang a song in the film, Tommy Tricker and the Stamp Traveller, which earned him a nomination for a 1989 Genie Award for Best Original Song and a JUNO Award for Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year in 1990.

Rufus Wainwright performs in the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $45.

Groups of 10 or more save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices; to reserve your seats, call 613-947-7000, ext. 634 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca.

Tickets are available on June 1 at 10 a.m. for purchase:

• In person at the NAC Box Office
• At all Ticketmaster outlets
• By telephone from Ticketmaster, 1-888-991-2787 (ARTS) new!  
• Online through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC’s website (www.nac-cna.ca)
• A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster

- 30 -

For more information, please contact:
Marie-Chantale Labbé-Jacques
Associate Marketing Officer
National Arts Centre
613-947-7000 ext. 526; e-mail: mclabbe@nac-cna.ca
or visit the NAC website at www.nac-cna.ca