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.
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