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Mitchell Receives Raves

Following its successful inaugural run in February 2007, Alberta Ballet's The Fiddle and The Drum, has been enjoying rave reviews at Toronto's Luminato 2008…

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release: June 19, 2008

JONI MITCHELL'S THE FIDDLE AND THE DRUM EARNS RAVE REVIEWS AT LUMINATO

Following its successful inaugural run in February 2007, Alberta Ballet's The Fiddle and The Drum, has been enjoying rave reviews at Toronto's Luminato 2008. A contemporary work inspired by the compelling music of Joni Mitchell and choreographed by Alberta Ballet's Artistic Director Jean Grand-Maître, The Fiddle and The Drum is currently being presented as part of The National Ballet of Canada's summer season. The piece's 10-performance run wraps up at Toronto's Four Seasons Centre June 22.

"The Fiddle and The Drum is uniquely Joni, offering up her music for dance interpretation." - The Toronto Star, 2008

"blockbuster….an inspiration" - The Globe and Mail, 2008

"electrifying... a poetic plea for sanity and love in a world of hate and chaos" - The National Post, 2008

"a potent mix of elegance, energy" - Toronto Sun, 2008

"The ballet is so beautiful, and it's the most exciting thing I've ever done" Joni Mitchell – June 2008

A full-length adaptation of Joni Mitchell's The Fiddle and The Drum, incorporating three new songs by Ms. Mitchell, premieres in Edmonton February 20 and 21, 2009, at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, and in Calgary February 26 - 28 at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.

In celebration of Alberta Ballet's 40th anniversary, Mitchell and Grand-Maître joined forces to create an exhilarating and emotional production blending her music and art with his choreography. Their resulting collaboration yielded a ballet exploring the human spirit's potential to create and destroy, its ability to love and hate, its capacity for war and peace. Since its world-premiere in 2007, The Fiddle and The Drum has enjoyed a sold-out theatre screening in New York City and a national television broadcast.

Media contacts:

Samantha Garner, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
P: (403) 245-4222 x 529 | E: samanthag@albertaballet.com
Gail Helmer, Director Marketing & Communications
P: (403) 245-4222 x 545 | E: gaillh@albertaballet.com
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