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Left - (l-r) Megan Marolf, Philip Glass, Andrew Sterman, Daniel Keeling, Gail Kruvand. Photos - Carla Gottgens

‘I know she is coming
I know she will look
And that is the longing
And this is the book.’

I came, I looked, and half-an-hour or so into the one hour and thirty-five minute concert I was longing for it to finish.

Book of Longing is the combination of Leonard Cohen’s poetry and sketches, published in a book of the same name, and Philip Glass’ composition, into a concert work of poetry, music, and imagery. Under the direction of Susan Marshall, the work is very self-consciously expressive – set, lighting, and costuming are employed in an attempt to ‘subtly support’ the musical poetry.

The set, skilfully designed by Christine Jones, was striking as a scaffold of Cohen’s sketches and drawings. However, the costuming (Kasia Walicka Maimone) of the four singers, described by Marshall as, ‘so natural that they seem to be chosen by the performers themselves’, were almost too ‘natural’, making the performers look like characters from an American sitcom. This was not helped as they lounged awkwardly on the chairs placed ‘artistically’ across the stage. The stage direction, although very sharp, clean, and highly choreographed, was again very self-conscious and aware, as well as monotonous.

Sadly, the monotony was reflected in the setting of Cohen’s poetry to Glass’ music. Every song began to sound exactly the same. The subtly of expression in Cohen’s poetry was lost in music which often seemed disconnected from the basic meaning of the words – a problem which I find in much contemporary opera. The featured instrumental solos performed by Gloria Justen on violin, Gail Kruvand on double-bass, Andrew Sterman on saxophone, and Wendy Sutter on cello, were the highlights of the concert. Here, the music was at once haunting, lyrical, and affecting, breaking up the relentlessness of the musical poetry and its performance.

Will Erat, Tara Hugo, Daniel Keeling, and Dominique Plaisant, accompanied by a small ensemble, including Philip Glass on keyboard, attempted to bring Cohen’s poetry to life. Included in this attempt were shoulder and leg bopping, highlighted in ‘Puppet Time’, complete with ‘naughty, I just said asshole’ facial expressions.

As the lights rose on the auditorium, I felt like I had missed something. The ‘mmms...’ of understanding and pleasure, which erupted from the audience after many of the songs, climaxed in a standing ovation from a substantial portion of the audience. I guess their longing was satisfied, and, as the performers left the stage, I know mine was.


Melbourne International Arts Festival presents
Book of Longing
A New Work By Philip Glass
Based on the Poetry and Images of Leonard Cohen

Venue: the Arts Centre, State Theatre
When: Wed 15 – Fri 17 Oct at 7.30pm
Duration: 1hr 35min no interval
Prices: 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 $25
Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 166 / www.melbournefestival.com.au