A complex and intoxicating meeting of two musical legends: Philip Glass, one of the most significant contemporary composers in the classical music world, and the famous Canadian singer-songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen. For over 6 years had the two talked about a collaboration of poetry and music. When Glass and Cohen came together in Los Angeles, Cohen read the whole manuscript of his poetry book, Book of Longing, to Glass. Glass found the poems "intensely beautiful, personal, and inspiring", and proposed "an evening-length work of poetry, music and image based on this work." In 2007, Book of Longing was premiered. 22 of the 167 poems from the poetry book were set to music. It is a sampling of Cohen's poems that touch on romance, biography, balladry, the dharma, limericks, and rhymes. Cohen called the work "Glassical".

The Hong Kong Premiere, brought to life by two much sought-after artists, director Mo Lai Yan Chi and conductor Vivian Ip, seeks to transcend boundaries with a mesmerizing dialogue between music and theatre. Get away from the busy and stressful city life of Hong Kong, immerse yourself in a captivating exploration of profound longings and delve into the innermost cries of the soul.

Creative Team and Performers
Presented by: Vivian Ip, ANIMA Ensemble, Bel Canto Singers

Co-Producer / Co-Artistic Director / Conductor: Vivian Ip
Co-Producer / Director: Mo Lai Yan Chi
Co-Artistic Director / Solo violin: Nina Wong
Live music: ANIMA Ensemble
Soprano: Athene Mok
Mezzo-soprano: Samantha Chong
Tenor: David Quah
Baritone: Caleb Woo
Movement Artist: Leung Hoi Yee Alysa

Set Designer: LCM*
Lighting Designer: Hui Wing Yan
Co-sound Designers: Ellison Lau & Chan Ming Kin
Costume Sponsor: C/W COLLECTIVE
Assistant Set Designer: Cheng Chun Wai
Video Designer: Chan Ka Ho
Poster Designer: Lon Lee

ANIMA Ensemble Musicians:
Violin: Nina Wong
Cello: Nan Jia
Double Bass: Evette Chiu
Saxophones / Bass clarinet / Piccolo / Flute: Chemie Ching
Oboe / English horn: Kelvin Lam
Keyboard: Shelley Ng
Keyboard: Alexander Wong
Percussion: Lily Hoi

Supported by: Hong Kong Arts Development Council

* With support and kind permission of Cinematic Theatre.

Organisers
Vivian Ip (as presenter)
ANIMA Ensemble
Bel Canto Singers

Instagram
book.of.longing.hk