Alberta Ballet shows off k.d. lang-inspired Balletlujah!

Alberta Ballet recently gave a sneak peek in Calgary of its new production Balletlujah! — a tribute to Canadian music legend k.d. lang.

The contemporary ballet features the singer's music and tells the story of a love affair between two women.

The gay singer is not only the inspiration but has been a key collaborator in the production.

The ballet, set to her music, is about her life growing up in a small prairie town. The final number is her beautiful rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, which she sang at the Vancouver Olympic Games.

Jean Grand-Maître, the ballet's artistic director and choreographer, says Lang was hesitant to take on the project when he first approached her.

"But after we did the opening ceremonies at the Vancouver Olympics, where I was also director of choreography, and her magnificent performance at that time — which is one of the highlights of her career — we knew we had to work together, and we had to create a ballet in Alberta where she was born," he said.

The pop and country singer known for hits such as Constant Craving and Miss Chatelaine has won four Grammy Awards and eight Junos.

Lang, who grew up in Consort, Alta., is also known for her support for animal rights and Tibetan human rights.

The world premiere will be in Edmonton on May 3-4 and then in Calgary May 9-10.

The ballet continues Grand-Maître’s series of tributes to the works of famous musicians, including Joni Mitchell, Sir Elton John and Sarah McLachlan.