Claim: Tim Rice penned a rock opera.

Evita is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice . It concentrates on the life of Argentine political leader Eva Perón , the second wife of Argentine president Juan Perón . The story follows Evita 's early life , rise to power , charity work , and eventual death .   The musical began as a rock opera concept album released in 1976 . Its success led to productions in London 's West End in 1978 , winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical , and on Broadway a year later , where it was the first British musical to receive the Tony Award for Best Musical .   This has been followed by a string of professional tours and worldwide productions and numerous cast albums , as well as a major 1996 film of the musical starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas . The musical was revived in London in 2006 , and on Broadway in 2012 , and toured the UK again in 2013 -- 14 before running for 55 West End performances at the Dominion Theatre in September -- October 2014 .