According to Sting, he is "outside of time, therefore he is timeless. Elton John even calls him the best songwriter ever. Rufus Wainwright is among the greats of his generation. He released eleven studio albums, composed operas and worked with artists such as Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon and the Pet Shop Boys. At this concert you will hear Wainwright's own work, including pieces from his opera Prima Donna and the moving Dream Requiem. After intermission, he will also perform music by others, including "April Fools" by Dionne Warwick. Soprano Danielle de Niese joins him on stage. Together with Residentie Orkest , he will make it a special evening, filled with compelling melodies and impressive compositions.

Special Guest: Carice van Houten

Carice van Houten recites the five Shakespeare sonnets performed by soprano Danielle de Niese in Wainwright's impressive Five Shakespeare Sonnets. She will also perform with De Niese in the Unperfect Actor, adapted especially for the Residentie Orkest - a composition based on a Shakespeare sonnet and an existing song by Rufus Wainwright, which will have its world premiere in a new orchestral version on this evening. As if that were not enough, Carice will also perform some songs with Rufus Wainwright behind the piano.