Coppelia

Music: Coppelia, ou La Fille aux Yeux, by Leo Delibes (1876)

Choreography:George Balanchine, Alexandra Danilova, and Marius Petipa

Coppelia is the story of two sweethearts, Swanhilda and Franz, Dr. Coppelius, a doll maker, and his beauiful doll Coppelia. The ballet opens on a quiet morning, which Dr. Coppelius is happily enjoying. But then, the girls of the small Polish village come and destroy the peacefulness. Dr. Coppelius is so flustered when he leaves that he forgets his key in his door. Swanhilda and her friends try to get the attention of the strange girl in the window, Coppelia, but when she ignores them, they become frustrated. They spot Franz coming and they hide, witnessing him flirt with the strange girl in the window. Swanhilda becomes enraged with jealousy, so she decides to break into the Dr.'s house to meet Coppelia, an easy feat since the key is still in the door. They become so happy when they discover Coppelia's secret that they begin jumping for joy, accidentily setting off all the dolls in the shop. Just then, Dr. Coppelius comes home and chases the girls out, but he does catch Franz coming in the window. He decides to switch his life force into Coppelia to make her come to life. But, fooling Dr. Coppelius, Swanhilda trades places with Coppelia, rescuing Franz and making the Dr. believe he has succeeded. Dr. Coppelius realizes his mistake, but the two lovers have escaped to be married.

Coppelia Gallery

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