Profile of a Great Ballet

Profile of a Great Ballet: Coppélia

Posted by on 03.20.2012

Coppélia first premiered May 25, 1870 at the Théâtre Impérial de l’Opéra in Paris.  This classic ballet in three acts was originally choreographed by Arthur Saint-Léon and set to a score by Léo Delibes.  The plot follows a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann: The curtain opens on an European town as an old man, Dr. Coppélius hobbles out of his house.  The town is mystified by this elderly citizen, as no one really knows exactly what he does.  A beautiful young woman is sitting on the balcony of his house reading a book.  As he looks up at her with delight, he renters his home. Our story’s heroine, Swanhilda, now enters.  Dancing around the stage in search...

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