Rufus Wainwright Cancels Australia, New Zealand

Blaming an illness in the family, Rufus Wainwright has canceled his upcoming tour of Australia and New Zealand that was scheduled to begin next month, with the artist pledging to reschedule the dates sometime before the end of the year.

Wainwright was scheduled to perform as part of the ‘A Day On The Green’ winery series. Other dates included a performance at the New Zealand International Arts Festival, solo shows in Auckland and Christchurch and two solo appearances at Verbrugghen Hall at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Photo: Owen Sweeney III / baltimoremusic.org
Grand Opera House, Wilmington, Del.

According to a posting by Wainwright’s managers on the artist’s Web site, the “Day On The Green” dates, which also included performances by Paul Kelly and The Church, were canceled because “promoters are unable to secure a suitable replacement of the same calibre as Rufus Wainwright in such a short time.”

Ticket holders for Wainwright’s headlining gigs can receive refunds at points of purchase. Tickets purchased through Ticketmaster or the Internet for the “Day On The Green” shows will be automatically refunded through their credit cards.

Management also promises that ticket holders will have first crack at an exclusive pre-sale once a new tour is locked down. For more information, click here for the Rufus Wainwright Web site.