A Timeless Tale

The light-hearted comedy of George Balanchine's classic Coppelia returns by popular demand. Leo Delibes' score, called by The New York Times "a classic of melody, orchestration, rhythm, and storytelling", is both lively and accessible. With more than 20 children from Boston Ballet School, Coppelia remains a jubilant and engaging classic for the whole family.

What is Coppelia about?

Sumptuous costumes, sweeping sets, and invigorating dance tell the tale of two young lovers, Franz and Swanhilda. When Franz encounters a life-size doll made by the village's Dr. Coppelius, Franz becomes infatuated with her motionless beauty, much to the dismay of his betrothed Swanhilda. In an attempt to show up his folly, Swanhilda comes up with a cunning plan to imitate the doll, stirring up tensions with the equally infatuated Dr. Coppelius, who has nefarious plans of his own to bring his doll to life. Plans that involve human sacrifice...

Did you know?

In 1974, iconic ballerina Alexandra Danilova helped George Balanchine to stage the ballet. Danilova worked from her own recollections of the 1884 production, which was choreographed by one of the most influential ballet masters in ballet history, Marius Petipa.