"The Greatest Songwriter On The Planet" Does Watermill

by Stanely Stuyvesant · September 3, 2008

[Jörn Weisbordt, Rufus Wainwright. Photos by Adriel Reboh for Patrick McMullan]

Elton John refers to Rufus Wainwright (best known as the voice behind the soundtracks of “Moulin Rouge” and “Shrek”) as "the greatest songwriter on the planet" but his unique orchestral pop music has reached far beyond film soundtracks. Last Saturday, the artist performed at the Robert Wilson Watermill Center for "The Last Song of Summer" concert, along with Jörn Weisbordt, Daniel Knox, and Jessye Norman.

More story and photos below:

The event’s co-chairs include Lisa Anastos, Martin Dawson, Amanda Hearst, Tobias Meyer, Shamim M. Momin, Dalia Oberlander and Viktor & Rolf.

The Watermill Concert 2008: Last Song of Summer is sponsored by L’Oreal and Sotheby’s, with additional support by Brooks Brothers. Treats by Oliver Cheng Catering and Events, drinks by Champagne Pieper-Heidsick, Ketel One, Peroni, TY-KU, VOSS Water and GuS - Grown-up Soda

The Benefit Committee Includes:

Regina Abramovich, Rita Ackerman, Jackie Astier, Cece Barfield, Claire Bernard, Georgina Bloomberg, Kathryn Bohannon, Brodi & Gregory Borchardt, Felicitas & Chris Brant, Marissa Bregman, Bevin Butler, Bryna Butler, Davina Catt, Olivia Chantecaille, Melanie Charlton Fascitelli, Annie Churchill, Everett Cook, Kipton Cronkite, Peter Davis, Sue de Beer, Moises de la Renta, Holly Doran, Gardar Eide Einarsson, Rob Fischer, Kelly Florio, Ian A. Gerard, William Gilbane III, Eugenia Gonzales, Lauren Hochfelder Silverman, Cena & Matt Jackson, Terrence Koh, Alixe Laughlin, Natalie Leeds Leventhal, Elizabeth Loomis, Nate Lowman, Jennifer McSweeney, Serena Nikkhah, Annelise Peterson, Amanda Richman, Laird Roach, Marina Rosenfeld, Melissa Skoog, Agathe Snow, Alexandra Stanton & Sam Natapoff, Vincent Szarek, Luigi Tadini, Mika Tajima, Atrhut Wayne, Chessy Wilson, Arden Wohl.