Program Guide 2008 Program Guide | Page 28

Akin Falope Book of Longing A NEW WORK BY PHILIP GLASS BASED ON THE pOETRY AND IMAGES OF LEONARD COHEN An exceptional concert work composed for ensemble, singers, spoken word and imagery Featuring new music by celebrated American composer Philip Glass and inspired by Leonard Cohen’s recently published book of the same name, Book of Longing is the culmination of years of mutual admiration between two of the most celebrated musical artists of their generation. In 2006, Leonard Cohen published two decades of poetry and sketches. Signature Cohen, Book of Longing is a meditative and provocative collection of ballads, love poems, retrospectives and comic pieces, as well as some deeply spiritual meditations written during the years Cohen spent in a Buddhist monastery. “A hypnotic collaboration … Book of Longing is the freshest, most supple and varied score [Philip Glass] has written in several years.” The New York Times “Listening to what Phil has done has provided me with a very special and rarefied pleasure … This is just like Bach asking if he could use your lyrics.” Leonard Cohen Music Philip Glass Lyrics, Images, & Recorded Voice Leonard Cohen Music Direction Michael Riesman Stage Direction Susan Marshall Set Design Christine Jones Costume Design Kasia Walicka Maimone Original Lighting Design Scott Zielinski Lighting Design Adapted by Doug Witney Producer Linda Brumbach Production Management Pomegranate Arts Performed By Will Erat Philip Glass Tara Hugo Gloria Justen Daniel Keeling Gail Kruvand Dominique Plaisant Megan Marolf Michael Riesman Mick Rossi Andrew Sterman Wendy Sutter Premium $110.50 A Reserve Full $85 A Reserve Groups (8+) $76.50 A Reserve Conc $63.75 B Reserve Full $68 B Reserve Conc $51 C Reserve Full $48 C Reserve Conc $36 Student / MF-Y (B & C Res) $25 Ticketmaster 1300 136 166 www.melbournefestival.com.au Book of Longing was commissioned by Luminato Festival of Arts and Creativity, Toronto; Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts; The Barbican Centre, London; Lincoln Center Festival 2007. New York; Stanford Lively Arts, Stanford University; University of Texas at Austin Performing Arts Center with support from the Topfer Endowment for Performing Arts Production; Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff; with additional support from the Ravinia Festival. When Cohen read these works to his friend Philip Glass, the enthusiastic response was to suggest a collaboration that celebrated the poems musically. Glass chose 22 poems from the collection and created an evening comprised of spoken word, instrumental music and song, performed by an ensemble of four singers and eight musicians (including Glass on keyboard) under renowned musical director Michael Riesman and with stage direction by acclaimed American choreographer Susan Marshall. This rare concert experience is enhanced by Cohen’s beautiful illustrations prominently incorporated into the set. Philip Glass is an American composer and performer who has had a long and distinguished career as a collaborator and composer of music for opera, dance, theatre, chamber ensemble, orchestra and film. WARNING: Some Illustrations Contain Nudity, Lyrics Contain Sexual Content the Arts Centre, State Theatre Wed 15 – Fri 17 Oct at 7.30pm 1hr 35min no interval Supported by 26 Discounts apply. Save up to 20%. See page 2 for details. WEEK M T W T F S S 01 11 12 13 14 02 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 03 22 23 24 25 26 27 26