Wainwright reveals new bond with father

Rufus Wainwright has revealed that his mother's death in January has finally brought to an end his long-seated rivalry with his father.

Loudon Wainwright left singer Kate McGarrigle when Rufus was young, which was a source of anxiety for the young musician who was passionately close to his mother.

Rufus, 36, who has an opera opening at Sadler's Wells next month and an upcoming UK tour, told The Times that the pair finally made amends while he was nursing his mother through her final months. He and Loudon were on a journey through the Rocky Mountains when they were "honest" for the first time.

"It was an incredible, idyllic, snowy day," Ruffus recalled. "Right at the start there was about 30 seconds of awkwardness and fidgeting and then he turned to me and he said, ‘I will do whatever you need me to do. I will help you through this'. And he held my hand and I wept."

The Canadian-American singer and songwriter said that both his parents found it difficult coming to terms with his homosexuality, however, his father now gets on well with his partner Jörn Weissbrodt, a German theatrical producer. His love, and his newly level relationship with his father, are what the singer-songwriter said helped him through the grief of losing his mother.

Rufus's sixth studio LP All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu is released on April 5. Prima Donna is at Sadler’s Wells from April 12 to April 17. Wainwright performs at the same venue on April 13 as part of a UK tour.