Following its hugely successful premiere at Manchester International Festival in 2009, acclaimed singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright's debut opera, Prima Donna, makes its London premiere.

Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists and songwriters of his generation, carving out his own singular sound in the worlds of rock, opera, theatre, dance and film. A Grammy nominee, he has released a series of acclaimed albums.

Wainwrights first foray into opera is inspired by perhaps the best known figure of the art form; the diva. A portrait of a fading opera singer, Rgine Saint Laurent, the action is set on Bastille Day in 1970s Paris. Once the worlds most revered operatic soprano, Saint Laurent is preparing for her return to the stage after six years of silence. But in doing so, she is forced to confront the ghosts of her past.

"A love song to opera, soaked in the perennial operatic themes of loss, betrayal, delusion and nostalgia, and saturated in the musical styles of operas golden age"
The Times

Celebrated Scottish soprano and Covent Garden regular Janis Kelly reprises the role of Rgine Saint Laurent, after giving the performance of her life (Financial Times) at Prima Donnas Manchester premiere.

For these London performances, there is a new production directed by acclaimed British director Tim Albery, whose most recent works include The Flying Dutchman at the Royal Opera House, and Boris Godunov for ENO.

Sung in French with surtitles, the libretto is co-written by Rufus Wainwright and Bernadette Colomine.

Commissioned by Sadlers Wells, Manchester International Festival, Luminato: Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity and Melbourne International Arts Festival.

Rufus Wainwright will also play a one-off gig at Sadler's Wells on Tuesday 13 April. Find out more, including how to book, here.