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Alberta Ballet Heats Up the Spring - New Program Announced to Close 2008/2009 Season

Calgary/Edmonton, AB - Alberta Ballet announces it will replace the previously scheduled May 2009 production of Ballet British Columbia's A Streetcar Named Desire with an evening danced by the Alberta Ballet company that will include Carmen and the world premiere of Ravel's Boléro.

Since its February 2003 premiere, Carmen has been performed throughout Canada and China, receiving acclaim from audiences and critics alike.

Inspired by Prosper Mérimée's original French novella and Georges Bizet's opera, Alberta Ballet Artistic Director Jean Grand-Maître tells the story of Carmen using fiercely passionate choreography set to Rodion Shchedrin's Carmen Suite, an orchestration of music from the opera. This hour-long story ballet is a tale of a fiery Spanish gypsy who spurns her obsessive soldier lover for a flashy bullfighter - all leading to an explosive 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." Grand-Maître has reconstructed Carmen's modern Seville with the use of vibrant costumes and multimedia projections of striking images and videos - including vigorous bullfights.

Opening the evening will be the world premiere of Maurice Ravel's Boléro by Jean 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.

"As restructuring was ongoing at Ballet BC, we felt it was important that we make prudent decisions that would ensure that we are able to fulfill our obligations to our subscribers and many stakeholders for the remainder of the season," said Darryl Lindenbach, Alberta Ballet's Executive Director. "We have assembled a dynamic new program, including a world premiere, that I'm sure will more than meet our stakeholders' expectations. We are happy to see that Ballet BC will be returning to operations in the near future and we look forward to working with them again soon."

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 lead by Artistic Director Jean Grand-Maître, 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