Max Dean's "Robotic Chair", The Gryphon Trio, Philip Glass and Leonard Cohen's Book of Longing...All to be Part of Toronto's Inaugural Luminato Festival

Max Dean's "Robotic Chair", The Gryphon Trio, Philip Glass and Leonard Cohen's Book of Longing...All to be Part of Toronto's Inaugural Luminato Festival

TORONTO, November 29/PRNewswire/ -- It's been six years in the making, the culmination of mutual admiration
between two of the world's most celebrated artists of their generation.
Toronto will be the first to experience the musical achievement of Philip
Glass' new concert work based on the poetry of Leonard Cohen's Book of
Longing. Just one example of how imagination comes alive at Luminato,
Toronto's inaugural multi-disciplinary arts festival taking place June 1 -
10, 2007.

"Here's an open invitation to audiences of every background to experience
artistic excellence and to connect with the community's creative spirit,"
said Janice Price, CEO, Luminato. "Let's celebrate collaboration, embrace
diversity and provide access to art from around the corner and around the
globe. It's all about imagination stirred in a new Toronto tradition, served
up Canadian style and peppered by the world."

<< Three new program announcements today include:

- A presentation in partnership with the Art Gallery of Ontario - The
debut of "The Robotic Chair" is a kinetic installation and collaboration
between artists Max Dean, Raffaello D'Andrea and Matt Donovan

- The Gryphon Trio presents Christos Hatzis' Constantinople - A
multimedia theatre event that interweaves visual art with instrumental and
vocal music performance that envelops the audience

- The world premiere collaboration between Canada's beloved poet,
novelist and singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, with critically acclaimed
international composer Philip Glass, in a debut evening- length concert work
based on Cohen's Book of Longing >>

Commenting on the unprecedented collaboration, Philip Glass says, "I
found Cohen's work intensely beautiful, personal and inspiring. Six years in
the making, our stars are finally aligned and I am very excited to open the
performance in Toronto. For me, this is both a departure from my past work
and a fulfillment of an artistic dream."

"Today's announcements exemplify the kind of innovative, original and
multifaceted programming that reflects the spirit of Luminato," says David
Pecaut, founder and Co-Chair of Luminato. "We trust that people will discover
a new community of global ideas - encountering superb art in the most
spontaneous ways."

New Luminato Events

World Premiere - Book of Longing: A new work by Philip Glass based on the
poetry of Leonard Cohen

June 1-5, Elgin Theatre

For the first time, world-renowned composer Philip Glass collaborates
with Canadian icon Leonard Cohen for a remarkable musical performance based
on Cohen's most recent collection of poetry, Book of Longing, at Toronto's
Elgin Theatre. Philip Glass, in the year of his 70th birthday, is currently
composing a new score set to Cohen's first poetry collection in over 20
years. Cohen's words will be eloquently expressed in an evening-length
concert work performed by a seven-piece instrumental ensemble and four
singers, with Glass on keyboards. This unprecedented occasion represents a
once-in-a-lifetime experience for audiences of all backgrounds.

Christos Hatzis' Constantinople - featuring The Gryphon Trio

June 7 - 9, Bluma Appel Theatre

Constantinople, a multi-sensory theatrical production, combines the Juno
Award-winning violin, cello and piano chamber group, The Gryphon Trio, with
the melodic chorals of acclaimed singers Maryem Hassan Tollar and Patricia
O'Callaghan in a spectacular lighting, visual and digital sound presentation
unlike any other. Created by Canadian composer Christos Hatzis,
Constantinople brilliantly reflects on-stage the contradictions of modern
society: East and West, Christian and Muslim, the ancient and contemporary -
all echoing today's issues of cultural diversity, spirituality and conflict.
Constantinople is a partnership with The Banff Centre, Music Toronto,
Tapestry New Opera Works with development assistance from Ex Machina, that
richly expresses the unifying and optimistic message of hope and acceptance.
For three days only, Constantinople plays the Bluma Appel Theatre in
Toronto's St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts.

Max Dean, "The Robotic Chair"

Ongoing June 1 - 10, location TBA (Free Event)

Imaginative engineer and visual artist Max Dean has been creating
interactive kinetic installations since the 1970s. The newest installation to
his significant body of work is "The Robotic Chair," a collaboration between
Max Dean, Raffaello D'Andrea and Matt Donovan and presented by the AGO during
Luminato's 10-day arts festival. Characterised by his sleek and innovative
construction, Max Dean's "Robotic Chair" systematically breaks apart and
pulls itself together again in a mesmerizing repetition that leaves audiences
free to interpret the significance of self-destruction and empowerment. The
"Robotic Chair" will not only intrigue passers-by but also captivate
audiences with its aesthetic design, innovative mechanics and challenging
message. Over 90 events across the city are slated to be part of Luminato,
encompassing traditional and contemporary theatre, dance, visual arts,
design, architecture, music and literature. "There will be many more exciting
announcements to come as we continue to work with the local arts
organisations, communities and international artists," says Janice Price.

Other Previously Announced Luminato Events

Opening Weekend with the Royal Ontario Museum

Luminato kicks-off on June 2nd, 2007 with a weekend-long street
celebration in conjunction with the ROM's opening of the Michael Lee-Chin
Crystal. Complete with spectacular illuminations, entertainment and dancing,
Luminato invites Toronto to join in the spirit of creativity.

Exhibition of Atom Egoyan and Kutlug Ataman's "Auroras/Testimony"

One location, two viewpoints. Luminato presents the coinciding video
portraits of two distinctly different stories from accomplished filmmaker
Atom Egoyan and revered artist Ataman Kutlug. On one side of a dividing wall
plays Ataman's testimonial video portrait of his aging childhood nanny, on
the other side, is Egoyan's silent film of an early 20th century actress
Aurora.

World Premiere of Eric Idle and John Du Prez's original oratorio

"Not the Messiah"

In partnership with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Luminato presents an
original oratorio from Spamalot Tony and Grammy Award winning duo, Eric Idle
and John Du Prez. "Not the Messiah", a new hilariously narrated musical based
on Monty Python's Life of Brian, is played by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
and conducted by Idle's cousin, TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian.

Carnivalissima

Luminato's Closing Weekend Festivities along Toronto's Harbourfront
celebrates the city's cultural diversity and creativity. Carnivalissima is a
spectacular culmination to Luminato's 10-day arts festival bringing the
city's best carnivals such as Caribana and the Brazilian Ball, together with
the spirit of international festivities including Mardi Gras (New Orleans),
La Diablada (Bolivia), Junkanoo (Jamaica) and many more. Carnivalissima is
produced by Luminato and Harbourfront Centre.

Luminato, Toronto's inaugural multidisciplinary arts festival, connects
the creative spirit to every corner of the city for 10 inspiring days. The
world's most multicultural city celebrates the best of local, regional and
national arts organizations and welcomes the talents of acclaimed
international artists. Luminato takes place June 1 - June 10, 2007 with more
than 90 events in venues and locations citywide.

Tickets for selected Luminato events go on sale in March 2007. To receive
advance information on both free and ticketed events, visit www.luminato.ca.

Source: Luminato

For further information: Media Contact: Beth Sulman,+1-(416)-628-5602, bsulman@hccink.com, www.holmescreativecommunications.com

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