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Alberta Ballet Presents Carmen & Boléro - A Steamy International Sensation and a Powerful World Premiere

Two sensually and aesthetically stunning ballets by Artistic Director Jean Grand-Maître will close out Alberta Ballet's 2008-2009 season this May. Carmen will return to heat up the Jubilee Auditoria along with the world premiere of Maurice Ravel's Boléro.
Having created story ballets for the great opera houses of Europe for 12 years, Carmen was Grand-Maître's first creation of a story ballet in Canada. It was also the last ballet renowned Canadian choreographer Sabrina Matthews performed as an Alberta Ballet company artist before launching her spectacular choreographic career. Principal dancer Nicole Caron will be following in Matthews' footsteps in the role of Carmen once again, having done so since 2007. It will be the first time Caron will perform the role at home in Alberta. The role of Carmen will also be played by Tara Williamson and Victoria Lane Green.

Since its world premiere in February 2003, Carmen has toured across Canada twice and internationally three times. Alberta Ballet was the only company representing Canada when invited to perform Carmen at the first Beijing International Dance Festival in 2004.

One of literature's most powerful and mythical feminist figures will come to life in Grand-Maître's Carmen. Inspired by Prosper Mérimée's original French novella and Georges Bizet's opera, Carmen traces seduction and obsession to an ill-fated dramatic climax. "This is a story of a woman rebelling against a patriarchal society," states Grand-Maître. "Her uncompromising lust for freedom and her staunch refusal to submit to any authority has transformed Carmen into a timeless and mythical character."

"Carmen has enough heat to set water on fire."
- Bob Clark, Calgary Herald

"It was a sultry Saturday night in Shanghai and the Alberta Ballet caught this megacity's mood with a steamy performance of Carmen that left the audience buzzing."
- Aileen McCabe, CanWest News Service

"Carmen sizzles…passionately performed…inventively choreographed."
- Michael Crabb, National Post

Opening the evening will be the world premiere of Maurice Ravel's Boléro, also choreographed by Grand-Maître. Ravel's love for the intensity and fearless character of the Spanish culture is eloquently expressed through this rousing composition. Its magnificent crescendo is one of the most powerful and explosive shots of adrenaline classical music can offer. Boléro will be a world premiere that is sure to push audiences to the limits of visceral catharsis.

"Boléro is one of the most powerful scores ever written for ballet" says Grand-Maître, "I have always been attracted to its mighty and hypnotic crescendo. It is the most incredible rush of adrenalin classical music can offer and scored by one of the most brilliant orchestrators there ever was. Inspired by Guillermo del Toro's film Pan's Labyrinth, I decided to create a duel between good and evil and to set this confrontation in a semi-abstract world, populated with individuals who seem oblivious to the life and death battle that will seal their fate as well."

Calgary audiences can enjoy Carmen & Boléro May 7 - 9 at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, and Edmonton performances run May 12 and 13 at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. Tickets are available as low as $34. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit albertaballet.com.

About Alberta Ballet:
Alberta Ballet, a not-for-profit organization, is Canada's third-largest ballet company. Since its formation in 1966, with its cutting-edge repertoire and talent led by Artistic Director Jean Grand-Maître and Darryl Lindenbach, Executive Director, Alberta Ballet has remained at the forefront of the national and international arts scene. One of the only arts organizations in Canada to call two cities home, Alberta Ballet is proud to be a community leader both on and off the stage.

Media contact:

Samantha Garner, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
P: 403-245-4222 ext. 529 | E: samanthag@albertaballet.com