prima donna

must listen: prima donna.  rufus wainwright's original opera had its us debut on sunday afternoon, but i saw it last night with v and rachel. we were perched in the balcony but had a good view of the ms. prima donna, soprano melody moore (pictured right with rufus).  she was aiight, i was more wowed by rebecca bottone who played marie.  i loved her opening song after the top of the second act, "paris is not picardie".  her voice was fresh and spritely, unlike ms. moore, which i guess could have been more for her washed up soprano character.  in any case, what a feat to have written an opera.  it's full of all the layer baroque tones you come to know rufus for. only two more shows at bam, tomorrow and saturday if you wanna get on this rufus opera train.

rufus does judy

best belated gay evening: rufus does judy at the royal opera house. shar owns the album by rufus and the original by judy on vinyl (thanks mel!), so i was keen for the opportunity to see it live. it was happenstance that i was in town as rufus was taking over the royal opera house. i could not miss the opportunity. t got tickets, but sadly missed out as she was under the weather. pal michelle was game to step in. from the rousing "san francisco" rendition to end the first act to sister martha wainwright coming to belt out "stormy weather", the gig sent me back to the good ol' golden era of mgm musicals. though it wasn't the complete concert, it sent me off dancin' into the wet and cold streets of londontown happily.