Alberta Ballet’s Spectacular Love Lies Bleeding to Tour in 2011!
The world premiere of Alberta Ballet’s dance spectacle, Love Lies Bleeding,   inspired   by and featuring the music of Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin opened, May 6, 2010 in Calgary to international acclaim. Sir Elton John’s close friend and trusted advisor, musician Ray Cooper attended opening night in Calgary.  Ray Cooper shared video footage of the ballet, dance reviews, global media coverage together with audience reactions and his personal perspective on the mega production with Sir Elton.
Alberta Ballet is thrilled to receive two thumbs up from Sir Elton John to tour the multi-media production starting in 2011.   
“I am proud of what the Alberta Ballet has created and I am looking forward to seeing this ballet live on.  It is a strong, contemporary choreography that entertains and challenges dance audiences with its new esthetics and its powerful fusion of different art mediums.  I hope it will attract thousands of new patrons to this wonderful art form”, said Sir Elton John.
Touring Love Lies Bleeding, allows Alberta Ballet to be an ambassador for the excitement, innovation and creativity of Alberta.  Not only will touring allow the ballet to proudly represent Alberta it will also increase the financial stability of the company and improve the livelihood of the dancers.
Jean Grand-Maître   responded to the news, “I am ecstatic to see that this new approach in the creation of contemporary ballet will live on gloriously with Sir Elton John’s blessing.  We look forward to becoming the cultural ambassadors of our province and our country around the world.  This is an exciting time for Alberta Ballet and the future seems brighter than ever, thanks to Sir Elton and Mr. Taupin!”
Ongoing collaborations with music stars are an artistic direction for Alberta Ballet which began with the premiere of The Fiddle and the Drum, the Joni Mitchell collaboration in 2007. Artistic Director, Jean Grand-Maître is currently creating the concepts for the company’s 2011 contemporary ballet collaboration with award-winning artist, Sarah McLachlan which will be set to many of her compositions including songs from her recently released and highly acclaimed CD, Laws of Illusion.