Rufus Wainwright

Rufus Wainwright, born on July 22, 1973, is a celebrated Canadian and American composer, singer-songwriter, and musician. With a career spanning over two decades, he has made significant contributions to the music world, recording eleven studio albums and a multitude of tracks for compilations and film soundtracks. His artistic versatility is evident in his work, which includes two classical operas and musical adaptations of Shakespeare's sonnets for a theatrical piece by Robert Wilson.

Wainwright's journey in music began with the release of his self-titled debut album through DreamWorks Records in May 1998. This was followed by his sophomore effort, Poses, in June 2001. His third and fourth albums, Want One and Want Two, were later repackaged as the double album Want in 2005. The year 2007 marked the release of his fifth studio album, Release the Stars, alongside his first live album, Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall.

Continuing his prolific output, Wainwright released his second live album, Milwaukee at Last!!!, in 2009, followed by All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu in 2010 and Out of the Game in 2012. His double album Prima Donna, released in 2015, showcased his opera of the same name. In 2016, he presented his ninth studio album, Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets, featuring nine unique adaptations of the Bard's work. His tenth studio album, Unfollow the Rules, was unveiled on July 20, 2020, and his latest, Folkocracy, was released on June 2, 2023.

Born into a musical family, Wainwright is the son of renowned musicians Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle. He has a rich familial legacy, being the older brother of singer Martha Wainwright and the half-brother of Lucy Wainwright Roche. His artistic lineage extends to his uncle, Sloan Wainwright, and his aunt, Anna McGarrigle, both of whom are accomplished singer-songwriters, as well as his grandfather, writer Loudon Wainwright Jr.