»Just as ›Giselle‹ is ballet’s great tragedy, so ›Coppélia‹ is its great comedy« (G. Balanchine).
Based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story »The Sandman«, the central figure of this ballet is a doll which comes to life. When Swanhilda accuses Franz of falling for the charms of Coppélia, the daughter of Doctor Coppélius, jealousy drives them apart. Neither realises that this »rival« for Franz’s affections is in fact a doll, and it requires some courage to uncover the deception. In creating his »Coppélia« in 1974, George Balanchine turned to the classical choreography of Marius Petipa (1884) while creating a third act for his modern version. In the current production Roberta Guidi di Bagno has created a porcelain landscape featuring authentic decoration from the famous Meissen factory, thereby lending local flavour to the performance.
Ballet in three acts. Choreography by George Balanchine & Alexandra Danilova after Marius Petipa.
Running time 2 hours 30 minutes
Premiere 05 Feb 2011
Choreography (after Marius Petipa): George Balanchine
Music: Léo Delibes
Set Design and Costume Design: Roberta Guidi di Bagno
Lighting Design: Marco Filibeck
Staged by (Company): Judith Fugate
Staged by (children): Garielle Whittle
Musical Director: Paul Connelly
Swanhilda: Sarah Hay
Franz: Denis Veginy
Dr. Coppélius: Ralf Arndt-Vogt
Semperoper Ballett
Staatskapelle Dresden
Students of the Palucca Hochschule für Tanz Dresden
With kind support of the Foundation for Support of the Semperoper.
In co-operation with the Palucca Hochschule für Tanz Dresden.
George Balanchine's Coppelia is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust and has been produced in accordance with the Balanchine Style® and Balanchine Technique® service standards established and provided by the Trust.
