Long Lost Loves (and Grey Suede Gloves) 

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A picture paints a thousand words, but a song tells a story...

Join mezzo-soprano Anna Dowsley and pianist Michael Curtain for an evening of story-telling over the piano as they explore life and love through the songs of Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer William Bolcom. 

2024 Concert Season

Join mezzo-soprano Anna Dowsley and pianist Michael Curtain for an evening of storytelling over the piano, inspired by the work of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer William Bolcom, devised by Paul Kildea and Ian Dickson, written and directed by Constantine Costi, with movement direction by Shannon Burns.

William Bolcom, who just celebrated his 85th birthday, occupies a unique place in the repertoire. Not quite art song, not quite cabaret, his settings of Arnold Weinstein’s deliciously dry lyrics continue a grand tradition stretching from Schubert to Sondheim of making words dance, fly and sing.

Hear some of their best-loved songs, from Amor to At the last lousy moments of love, woven into a poignant meditation on life, love and living in the moment.

"Dowsley is entrancing, seamlessly slipping from the next-door neighbour, to grieving wife, to coughing uncle... Ingenious"

— Limelight

"Dowsley is a superb singer with a warm fluid mezzo perfectly suited to Bolcom’s songs. She is also an excellent actress."

— Arts Review

What audiences are saying

Listen

Listen to the music before you witness Long Lost Loves (and Grey Suede Gloves) live.

ANNA DOWSLEY mezzo-soprano
MICHAEL CURTAIN piano
CONSTANTINE COSTI writer and director
MATTHEW MARSHALL lighting design
HILARY BELL dramaturg
SHANNON BURNS movement director

Selections from William BOLCOM Cabaret Songs
Lyrics by Arnold WEINSTEIN
Concept by Ian Dickson and Paul Kildea

With special thanks to Ensemble Patrons Peter Griffin AM and Terry Swann for their support of this tour, with additional support from Ms Felicity Rourke and Justice François Kunc. Presented in association with Adelaide Festival.

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ANNA DOWSLEY OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCE IN NEWCASTLE

MICHAEL CURTAIN OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCE IN NEWCASTLE

ANNA DOWSLEY REHEARSING DURING THE CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHOW

CON COSTI, MICHAEL CURTAIN AND ANNA DOWSLEY REHEARSING IN THE JANETTE HAMILTON STUDIO

Paul Kildea

MICHAEL CURTAIN REHEARSING DURING THE CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHOW