Prima Donna cover

Prima Donna

Rufus Wainwright · 2015

127 min · 38 tracks · indie pop

A lush operatic pop fusion that intertwines theatrical storytelling with Wainwright's distinctive vocal prowess.

Spotify Apple Music
Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Prima Donna: Overture — This overture sets the stage for the entire album, showcasing Wainwright's operatic influences through sweeping melodies and orchestral arrangements that draw listeners into the narrative world.
  • →
    Dans mon pays de Picardie — In this track, Wainwright beautifully captures the longing inherent in love stories, using evocative imagery and rich vocal delivery that exemplifies the album's emotional depth.
  • →
    Je suis heureuse — This song serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative arc, where exuberance meets vulnerability, reflecting Wainwright's ability to blend personal emotion with theatrical flair.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

68 /100
Alpine
Higher than 93% of albums we've rated

The album's operatic structure and rich orchestration create a unique listening experience, though its appeal may be niche.

What we noticed

  • The album is structured as a two-act opera, with each scene contributing to a continuous narrative arc.
  • Wainwright employs lush orchestration throughout, often layering strings and piano to create a rich sonic texture.
  • Vocal performances are theatrical, with Wainwright's voice frequently shifting between operatic and pop styles, enhancing the dramatic storytelling.
  • Several tracks feature abrupt transitions between scenes, maintaining a dynamic flow that keeps the listener engaged.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
9/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • long, immersive listening sessions
  • dynamic emotional journeys
  • theatrical narrative explorations
  • wave-like pacing experience
  • reflective and contemplative moods

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Critical Peak — Showcases Wainwright's ambitious blend of operatic pop and storytelling.
Career context
Upon releasing 'Prima Donna' in 2015, Rufus Wainwright was already a well-established artist, known for his eclectic style and theatrical influences. This album marked his return to the music scene after a brief hiatus and followed his celebrated 2012 release, 'Out of the Game.' It represents a bold artistic venture, as Wainwright sought to blend elements of opera with contemporary pop musical storytelling.
Stylistic neighbors
Ben Folds· Sufjan Stevens· Regina Spektor
New to Rufus Wainwright? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Prima Donna: Overture 6:06
  • 2 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 1: Oh! Madame Saint Laurent 3:01
  • 3 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 2: J'ai rêvé toute la nuit 2:58
  • 4 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 3: Merci. Asseyez-vous 1:37
  • 5 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 4: Ah! Les soucis! 1:10
  • 6 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 5: Aliénor, quelle femme merveilleuse 1:50
  • 7 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 6: Mais non, Madame! 2:51
  • 8 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 7: Mais que se passe-t-il donc 1:58
  • 9 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 8: À l époque, François 2:15
  • 10 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 9: Cet appartement 1:31
  • 11 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 10: Mon dieu qu'il est laid! 2:05
  • 12 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 11: À ton âge, François 2:41
  • 13 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 12: Voici Le Journaliste! 2:24
  • 14 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 13: Bonjour, Madame Saint Laurent 2:13
  • 15 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 14: Quand j étais jeune étudiant 3:09
  • 16 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 15: Madame Saint Laurent 1:15
  • 17 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 16: La Première ... 2:31
  • 18 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 17: Régine, quelle majesté 3:14
  • 19 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 18: Abandonne, pose ta couronne 3:05
  • 20 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 19: Charmant, tout à fait 2:10
  • 21 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 20: Oh, ma voix! 0:58
  • 22 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 21: Oh, ma douleur! 5:17
  • 23 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 21: Revenez donc ce soir; Scene 22: Interlude 1:55
  • 24 Prima Donna, Act I, Scene 23: The Kiss 1:15

Disc 2

  • 1 Prima Donna: Overture 3:31
  • 2 Prima Donna, Act II, Scene 1: Dans mon pays de Picardie 5:04
  • 3 Prima Donna, Act II, Scene 2: Excuse-moi, Monsieur Philippe 4:09
  • 4 Prima Donna, Act II, Scene 3: Vocalises 2:53
  • 5 Prima Donna, Act II, Scene 4: Et maintenant, Aliénor, à nous deux 1:07
  • 6 Prima Donna, Act II, Scene 5: Quand j étais jeune étudiante 5:43
  • 7 Prima Donna, Act II, Scene 6: Dans ce jardin 9:53
  • 8 Prima Donna, Act II, Scene 7: Meditation 6:10
  • 9 Prima Donna, Act II, Scene 8: C'est impossible! 4:01
  • 10 Prima Donna, Act II, Scene 9: Maintenant, il est temps 3:30
  • 11 Prima Donna, Act II, Scene 10: Je suis heureuse 3:48
  • 12 Prima Donna, Act II, Scene 11: Prenez-le donc 6:10
  • 13 Prima Donna, Act II, Scene 12: Final Interlude 5:13
  • 14 Prima Donna, Act II, Scene 13: Brief Fireworks Music (percussion) & Les feux d'artifice 6:55

What to play next

Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets
Listen next

Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets

2016

Continues the theatrical storytelling with a focus on lyrical depth.
Out of the Game
Go back to

Out of the Game

2012

Sets a more contemporary pop sound that leads into the operatic style of Prima Donna.
Full Rufus Wainwright discography Where to start with Rufus Wainwright Artists like Rufus Wainwright
indie pop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata