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Erato Ensemble's Book of Longing features New Westminster, Burnaby singers

It's the Vancouver premiere of Philip Glass's song cycle, based on the poetry and artwork of Leonard Cohen.
Chamber music strings GettyImages
The Erato Ensemble performs March 26 at St. Andrew's-Wesley in downtown Vancouver. The concert features the Vancouver premiere of Philip Glass' Book of Longing.

Two singers from New Westminster and Burnaby will be in the spotlight at the Erato Ensemble’s next Vancouver concert.

The Vancouver-based chamber group is set to perform on Saturday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the newly restored St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church.

The concert features the Vancouver premiere of Book of Longing, a concert-length song cycle featuring music by Philip Glass, based on the poetry and artwork of Leonard Cohen.

“The inspired collaboration of Glass and Cohen has resulted in a vibrant work that straddles the classical and pop genres. Glass’ instrumental arrangements utilize his trademark arpeggios and rhythms, while Glass’ melodic settings of Cohen’s poems still embody Cohen’s unmistakable voice,” a press release says.

The music is scored for two keyboards, winds, strings and percussion, plus four voices. Two of those are local: New Westminster’s Melanie Adams and Burnaby’s Steve Maddock.

Erato is the first ensemble to be granted permission to perform the work, outside of the Philip Glass Ensemble.

Get tickets for Erato Ensemble’s Book of Longing

Tickets are general admission, by section, with prices ranging from $17 to $44. You can buy online through Eventbrite or find more information at Erato’s website.

St. Andrew’s-Wesley is at the corner of Burrard and Nelson streets (1022 Nelson St.) in downtown Vancouver.

Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, jmaclellan@newwestrecord.ca.