The death of Alan Rickman on January 14 has been a devastating blow to the arts community, who was still coming to terms with the death of Davis Bowie, just days before.
Alan Rickman had been a generous supporter of many charities around the world, including Toronto’s The Glenn Gould Foundation, with whom he had worked on a number of occasions.
Rickman collaborated with the Foundation in 2012 during the Ninth Glenn Gould Prize tribute to Laureate Leonard Cohen in Toronto. Rickman was a close friend of the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Canada’s former Governor General. She suggested his suave bass voice would make him an ideal speaker for the event. The Foundation agreed and invited him to participate.
“Alan’s delivery of Leonard Cohen’s verses was one of the highlights of what proved to be a very special evening indeed, ” The Foundation stated.
Rickman was later invited to serve as a Glenn Gould Prize juror, but unfortunately had to cancel due a scheduling conflict. Despite the cancelation, he kept his connection with The Glenn Gould Foundation, and only just recently narrated a promotional video for them. As of yesterday, the Foundation had only just wrapped up its post-production.
Ninth Glenn Gould Prize After Party (Photo: via The Glenn Gould Foundation)
They stated, “Alan’s delivery of our message was perfectly delivered, brilliantly modulated, and simply unforgettable. We’re truly saddened that we will not have the chance to share the final results with him, and to thank him properly for his support.”
We leave you with a lovely musical moment from the film, Truly, Madly, Deeply, starring Alan Rickman and Juliet Stevenson. RIP.
#LUDWIGVAN
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