(Paris) Meryl Streep, star of three Oscars, will be reciter in a musical creation by Rufus Wainwright in Paris on June 14 on public radio Radio France, the latter announced Monday.
This show, Dream requiem, will be created at the Radio France Auditorium, with the Radio France Choir, the Radio France Maîtrise and the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra. This show will be broadcast on June 14 at 8 p.m. live on France Musique radio and on Arte Concert.
The 74-year-old American actress, who recently received an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, will recite Byron’s poem Darkness (1816).
“Like the whole world, I have admired Meryl Streep since I saw her very first film. I have had the pleasure of knowing her personally for several years,” Rufus Wainwright wrote in a statement.
“Having her participate in the world premiere of Dream Requiem is an honor beyond anything I could have hoped for,” continues the 50-year-old American-Canadian musician.
Dream Requiem was born from “two dramatic experiences that unfolded in 2020: the COVID-19 pandemic and the California wildfires,” the release read.
Verdi’s Requiem is another inspiration from Rufus Wainwright who has already used opera in his pop music and wrote two operas, Prima Donna and Hadrian.
This concert will also be the subject of a recording which is due for release in the fall of 2024 by Warner Classics/Erato.
Rufus Wainwright, outside of his solo career, has already collaborated with stars such as Elton John, Miley Cyrus, David Byrne, Boy George, Joni Mitchell, the Pet Shop Boys, Paul Simon and Sting.
In December 2022, Gilberto Gil, star of Brazilian music, created an opera-song, Amor azul, at the Radio France Auditorium.