Singer

At once introspective and grand, playful yet profound, Rufus Wainwright’s cabaret-style shows weave a tapestry of sound that draws from opera, folk, rock, and Broadway influences. In addition to his own songs like “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk” or “Going to a Town,” Wainwright is known for his lush interpretations of Judy Garland’s work and his moving cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” all delivered with a voice that soars to operatic heights or falls to an intimate whisper. A born raconteur with a flair for theatricality, between songs Wainright delivers witty anecdotes and poignant reflections, creating an atmosphere that is more than a simple pop concert—it’s an immersive artistic encounter. 

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Rufus Wainwright

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

More than twenty years after the release of his iconic albums Want One and Want Two, baroque-pop luminary Rufus Wainwright returns with a bold, symphonic reimagining of these landmark works.

Rufus Wainwright’s ‘Want Symphonic’ with BBC SSO

Usher Hall

Praised by the New York Times for his “genuine originality,” Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists, songwriters, and composers of his generation. Captivating audiences and critics around the globe, the New York-born, Montreal-raised singer-songwriter has collaborated with everyone from Elton John and Billy Joel to Miley Cyrus.

Rufus Wainwright - Going to a Town Solo Tour 2025

Chapman University

Celebrated for his versatility in pop and folk music, Rufus Wainwright is also an accomplished composer of soundtracks, operas and musicals. His latest grand project, »Dream Requiem«, was written during the coronavirus pandemic. Following its world premiere in Paris it now comes to the Elbphilharmonie with a large orchestra, choir, soprano and grand dame of French film Isabelle Huppert as the narrator.

Rufus Wainwright: Dream Requiem

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

The Chorale presents the highly anticipated U.S. premiere of Rufus Wainwright’s Dream Requiem. Dream Requiem merges two long standing creative visions — Wainwright’s fascination with Byron's poem Darkness, depicting global upheaval after the 1815 Mount Tambora eruption, and his lifelong admiration for the great Requiems of Verdi, Berlioz and Britten. This powerful and evocative modern-day requiem, with sublime harmonies and emotive storytelling, is an opulent composition that seamlessly weaves together Wainwright’s distinctive musical voice with the timeless liturgy of the Latin Requiem Mass.

Rufus Wainwright's Dream Requiem

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Get ready for an unforgettable night where music is the star and celebration knows no bounds! The Royal Conservatory’s marquee fundraising event brings together Canada’s most exceptional artists for a dazzling evening of world-class performances, gourmet experiences, and a high-energy after-party. All in support of the RCM’s mission to develop human potential through leadership in music and the arts.

The Royal Occasion featuring Paul Shaffer, Rufus Wainwright, Amanda Marshall, and more

Telus Centre For Performance And Learning

Praised by The New York Times for his “genuine originality,” Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists, songwriters, and composers of his generation. The New York-born, Montreal-raised singer-songwriter who has collaborated with artists from Elton John and Burt Bacharach, to Miley Cyrus, David Byrne, Boy George, and Paul Simon, comes to Guild Hall to grace us with songs from his extensive catalogue.

Rufus Wainwright In Concert

Guild Hall

Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts

Praised by the New York Times for his “genuine originality,” Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists, songwriters, and composers of his generation. The New York-born, Montreal-raised singer-songwriter has released ten studio albums to date, three DVDs, and three live albums including the GRAMMY® nominated Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall. He has collaborated with artists such as Elton John, Burt Bacharach, Miley Cyrus, David Byrne, Boy George, Joni Mitchell, Pet Shop Boys, Heart, Carly Rae Jepsen, Robbie Williams, Jessye Norman, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Sting, and producer Mark Ronson, among many others. He has written two operas and numerous songs for movies and TV.

Groton Hill Music Center

Keswick Theatre

Praised by the New York Times for his "genuine originality," Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists, songwriters, and composers of his generation. The GRAMMY Award-nominated singer-songwriter has released 11 studio albums. The most recent release Folkocracy is a celebration of his folk music roots with artists such as Chaka Khan, Brandi Carlile, and John Legend. Wainwright continues to win acclaim as an opera and classical composer with Prima Donna and Hadrian and is currently working on Dream Requiem co-commissioned by the Los Angeles Master Chorale and receiving its United States premiere in our 2024/25 Season.

Los Angeles Master Chorale Gala 2024

Praised by The New York Times for his “genuine originality,” Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists, songwriters, and composers of his generation. The New York-born, Montreal-raised singer-songwriter has released ten studio albums to date, three DVDs, and three live albums including the Grammy nominated Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall. He has collaborated with artists such as Elton John, Burt Bacharach, Miley Cyrus, David Byrne, Boy George, Joni Mitchell, Pet Shop Boys, Heart, Carly Rae Jepsen, Robbie Williams, Jessye Norman, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Sting, and producer Mark Ronson, among many others. He has written two operas and numerous songs for movies and television.

South Orange Performing Arts Center

This fall, the Louisville Orchestra, in partnership with Louisville Public Media,  is delighted to present Rufus Wainwright: Want Symphonic at the Louisville Palace. Wainwright will perform a large selection of songs from both his “Want One” album from 2003 and “Want Two” album from 2004.

Rufus Wainwright: Want Symphonic

Louisville Palace Theatre

Presented in partnership with Americanafest, Rufus Wainwright makes his can’t-miss Nashville Symphony debut—ONE NIGHT ONLY.  Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release of Want One and Want Two—the two albums that fueled his meteoric rise in the UK and across Europe—Rufus will perform both albums in their entirety, song for song, with beautiful orchestral arrangements performed by the Nashville Symphony.

Want Sysmphonic :Rufus Wainwright with the Nashville Symphony - An Americanafest Special Event

Shermerhorn Symphony Center

One of the great vocalists, songwriters, and composers of his generation, Rufus Wainwright returns to Walt Disney Concert Hall with songs from his Grammy-nominated album Unfollow the Rules, his first non-operatic album in eight years. Long lauded for his sophistication and wit, he's now working at the peak of his powers, his music guided by passion, honesty, and a newfound fearlessness. Be there for a career-spanning night with the celebrated musician.

After more than a decade, Rufus Wainwright returns to the Residentie Orkest under the banner "Oh what a world" with a grand survey of his work on the fault line between pop and classical. Soprano Danielle De Niese adds cachet to the roller coaster through his oeuvre.

Rufus Wainwright & Residentie Orkest

Amare

With irresistible ease, Rufus Wainwright moves between pop, cabaret and classical music. His first opera was recently revived at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm, and with his love of the grand and dramatic, he has created a truly unique musical universe.

Rufus Wainwright – Want Symphonic

Stockholm City Hall

On June 10th 2026, one of contemporary music’s most historic nights will return to The Royal Albert Hall. Rufus Wainwright pays tribute to the “greatest night in show business” one last time with Rufus Does Judy, an epic recreation of Judy Garland’s 1961 comeback concert. A dazzling spectacle performed in front of sold-out crowds, it was critically lauded and remains a pinnacle of success amidst a career chock full of them.

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Rufus Wainwright

Events

Upcoming events

Jan 16, 2026

Rufus Wainwright & Residentie Orkest · Residentie Orkest Den Haag

May 22, 2026

Rufus Wainwright – Want Symphonic · Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

Jun 10, 2026

Rufus Does Judy · Royal Albert Hall

Past events

Nov 4, 2025

Rufus Wainwright · Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

Sep 20, 2025

Rufus Wainwright’s ‘Want Symphonic’ with BBC SSO · Usher Hall

Future and recently performed repertoire

Vocals in Want Symphonic by Wainwright

Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

About

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