Imagine meeting Leonard Cohen for the first time, and spending the rest of the night with him reading his unpublished poetry to you. According to Philip Glass, that exact scenario was the catalyst for “an evening-length work of poetry, music, and image” he titled Book of Longing, taken from Cohen’s book of poems with the same title. Glass wrote:
“Leonard and I first began talking about a poetry and music collaboration more than six years ago. We met at that time in Los Angeles, and he had with him a manuscript that became the basis of the collection of poetry now published as the Book of Longing. In the course of an afternoon that stretched into the evening, he read virtually the whole book to me. I found the work intensely beautiful, personal, and inspiring. On the spot, I proposed an evening-length work of poetry, music, and image based on this work.”
The cast of Australian Contemporary Opera Co’s Book of Longing. Photo © MJ Nash.
Australian Contemporary Opera Co (ACOCo) is poised to present this meeting of two singular creative minds for one night only...
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