Rufus Wainwright‘s debut opera Prima Donna is to premiere next July in Manchester.

The story of a fading Parisian opera singer and sung in French, Wainwright’s opera is being produced in partnership with Opera North – and will be performed five times from July 10.

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Manchester International Director Alex Poots comments on Wainwright’s commission, “Rufus Wainwright has an exceptional gift for melody and clearly has a deep affinity with opera. We’re delighted to be working with him as he moves into this new form”.

Last year’s festival saw the world premiere of the Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett’s stage show collaboration Monkey: Journey To The West.

MIF 2009 will run from July 2 – 19, with the full programme being announnced in March.

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Prima Donna tickets are available from October 10 at www.mif.co.uk.

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