At just 51 years old, acclaimed singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright is acutely aware of the fragility of life, having lost his mother, the renowned folk artist Kate McGarrigle, at the age of 63. This profound experience has shaped Wainwright's artistic journey, driving him to embrace a relentless schedule of touring, performing, and creating a diverse body of work that includes 10 studio albums, two original operas, and his first musical, "Opening Night." As he prepares to take audiences on a "Rufus-Retro-Wainwright-Spective" at the Wallis in Beverly Hills, Wainwright reflects on his mission to honor his mother's unfinished dreams and ensure he doesn't squander a moment of his own creative potential.

Embracing the Urgency of Time: Rufus Wainwright's Race Against the Clock

Honoring a Mother's Legacy and Unfinished Dreams

Wainwright's mother, Kate McGarrigle, was a revered folk singer-songwriter whose untimely passing at the age of 63 left behind a trove of unwritten musicals and unfinished songs. Wainwright, deeply inspired by his mother's "uncanny ability to just find music in everything," is determined to make up for the lost time and ensure he doesn't suffer the same fate. This sense of urgency has fueled his prolific output, with a constant stream of touring, performing, and the creation of ambitious projects like his first musical and a "Dream Requiem" for chorus and orchestra.

Embracing the Unexpected: Wainwright's Foray into the Political Zeitgeist

Wainwright's sublime cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" has taken on a life of its own, becoming a cultural touchstone that has even found its way into the political arena. When former President Donald Trump played the song during a town hall event, Wainwright was initially appalled, calling the move "blasphemous." However, he later acknowledged a glimmer of humanity in Trump's apparent yearning for redemption, a perspective that struck a chord with his friend, actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who praised Wainwright's ability to find grace and compassion in the midst of division and darkness.

Adapting to the Challenges of the Pandemic: Wainwright's "Robe Recitals" and the Resilience of Stripped-Down Performances

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the world into lockdown, Wainwright responded by broadcasting daily "Robe Recitals" (or "Quarantunes") on social media, where he performed stripped-down versions of his extensive songbook. This experience taught him that many of his elaborately orchestrated songs could hold their own in a more intimate, acoustic setting. Wainwright later capitalized on this discovery, packaging a series of thematic acoustic shows in Paris that he is now bringing to the Wallis in Beverly Hills.

Embracing the Duality of Joy and Darkness: Wainwright's Creative Vision

Wainwright's artistic journey has been marked by a duality of joy and darkness, a theme that has manifested in his work. From the commercial failure of his musical "Opening Night" to the triumph of his "Dream Requiem" premiere in Paris, Wainwright has demonstrated a remarkable ability to find the silver lining, even in the face of setbacks. This resilience and willingness to confront the complexities of the human experience have become hallmarks of his creative vision, as he continues to push the boundaries of his craft and explore new artistic frontiers.

Chasing the Next Creative Frontier: Wainwright's Ambitious Future Plans

As Wainwright reflects on his prolific career, he is already looking ahead to his next creative challenges. With dreams of writing a comic opera, recording a French album, and possibly scoring a film, Wainwright's boundless ambition shows no signs of slowing down. However, he also acknowledges a desire to take a step back and focus on a final pop album, a project he wants to "really burrow into" and savor the creative process. With the clock ticking, Wainwright is determined to make the most of the time he has, honoring his mother's legacy and fulfilling his own artistic vision.