In October 2008 , it was announced that the work would be produced in partnership with Opera North as a joint production commission by the Manchester International Festival , Melbourne Festival Australia and Luminato Festival Toronto , with Pierre-André Valade conducting the orchestra , Daniel Kramer directing , designing by Antony McDonald , and Janis Kelly performing the lead role alongside Rebecca Bottone , William Joyner and Jonathan Summers . '' The Guardian '' stated Wainwright was working with two student assistants from Yale , but that he would be orchestrating the opera himself . With the first act already orchestrated and vocal score with piano reduction almost completed , the Manchester International Festival requested delivery of a full score in February 2009 . Like Wagner , Wainwright wrote both the libretto and music , but admitted " writing words was much harder than writing music " . He also claimed that arias would be clearly defined and that no microphones or amplification would be utilized . Following the Manchester premiere performances , London performances at Sadler 's Wells Theatre were scheduled for April 2010 , and the North American premiere took place June 1010 at the Luminato festival in Toronto , with Wainwright present
Luminato
Luminato
Prima Donna (opera)