Singer and composer Rufus Wainwright is writing another opera. He will follow 2009's Prima Donna, which premiered in Manchester, with Hadrian--a commission for the Canadian Opera Company. It's based on the life of the Roman Emperor Hadrian and his love for Antinous, a man in his circle who died in mysterious circumstances.
In a press release, Wainwright said that he was inspired by Marguerite Yourcenar's novel Memoirs of Hadrian. That story led him further afield, to research and discover (not least by visiting Hadrian's villa at Tivoli), and he has been working on the opera with COC for some three years.
He says of the shadowy figure of Antinous: "Essentially the male equivalent to Helen of Troy--though we know he actually existed and exactly what he looked like. At one point he was neck and neck with Christ in terms of cult status after disappearing in the Nile. Imagine what a different world that would have been if he had lived!"
The libretto is by the Canadian actor, director and playwright Daniel MacIvor. This will be only the fifth opera COC has commissioned to premiere on its main stage since 1950. It must be said that none of the others have lasted in the repertoire, though much the same can sadly be said of most operas post- that date.
Wainwright is a major music star, though, with a large worldwide following. So this opera stands as good a chance as any. And he has been developing his classical music interests over a period of years. Other classical projects of his have included his own classical songs, and he has also sung Berlioz's Les nuits d'été.
