Alberta Ballet plans second Joni Mitchell collaboration
Work inspired by Mitchell's love songs set for 2014 debut
The Alberta Ballet is teaming up for a second time with Canadian music icon Joni Mitchell on a new dance work.
The company will premiere a brand new production inspired by Mitchell's love songs in May 2014, organizers revealed on the weekend as part of the ballet's 2013-2014 season announcement.
The reclusive Mitchell will reteam with Alberta Ballet artistic director Jean Grand-Maître to create the new piece, which will feature a libretto, set design and soundtrack by the celebrated singer-songwriter.
The as-yet-untitled new Mitchell work will debut in Calgary, running May 1-3, 2014. It will then move on to Edmonton, from May 9-10, 2014.
Mitchell and Grand-Maître previously collaborated on the well-received semi-abstract narrative ballet The Fiddle and the Drum in 2007.
Its success led to other musician-inspired dance works such as Love Lies Bleeding and Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, featuring the music of Elton John and Sarah McLachlan, respectively. The company is also poised to premiere its k.d. lang-inspired Balletlujah in May.
Other productions announced for the company's 2013-2014 season include:
- Madame Butterfly.
- A performance of Sleeping Beauty by visiting company Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal.
- A holiday run of The Nutcracker.
- The intimate show Up Close.
- Giselle.
- Generations, a production by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre offshoot Ailey II.