TO those not yet in the know, Rufus is the son of Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, who each have new albums, and brother to Martha, who has one too. They're a competitive lot, these Wainwrights.

Rufus is gloriously perplexing, part gentle piano man, part operatic show off, belting out songs with dizzying gusto and astonishing vocal skill. And when it is possible to wonder if you haven't had enough of the full-volume histrionics, he turns sensitive and slips in an unaccompanied piano number or two.

Many of the songs came from his latest album, Want Two, with some from its companion piece, Want One. Highlights included Gay Messiah, The Art Teacher and The One You Love and... well, we'll get to that in a moment.

Rufus, something of a gay icon, displayed mature depth beneath the frisky glitter, especially in songs dedicated to his parents and sister, with Dinner At Eight reserved for Loudon, and what a song that is.

Then, in what was to be only his first encore, he came back for the baroque anthem Old Whore's Diet, during which he stripped to reveal sparkly blue pants and a black leotard, to which were added fairy wings and high heeled shoes. And with all six talented members of his band following skittish suit, the concert veered into outrageous campery.

Rufus's music heard live emerges whole and enticing, thanks to his own charm and skill and the multifarious talents of his musicians. What a night.

Updated: 10:41 Tuesday, May 17, 2005