So the lights are on but nobody is home? Yep – that’s the story of Coppélia! One of the few comic ballets, this light hearted tale of love, jealousy, mistaken identity, and break-and-enter (where are the cops when you need them?) was the 1870’s equivalent to a Pixar movie. Choreographed by Arthur Saint-Leon to the music of Leo Delibes (also wrote Sylvia and La Source) the story is based loosely on E.T.A Hoffman’s tale of Der Sandmann (The Sandman).
Often subtitled ‘The girl with the enamel eyes’ Coppélia is the life sized doll (made by local madman/magician Dr. Coppélius) who sits on the balcony overlooking the town square motionless. Farm boy Franz falls in love with her, whilst farm girl Swanhilda is jealous so both decide to break in (separately) to find out what her story is. The usual chaos of mistaken identities, misplaced affection and mayhem ensue but all ends well with a wedding and a good feast (well, for everyone except poor old Dr. Coppélius).
Below Natalia Osipova dances with the Royal Ballet in the Act 1 Town Square scenes.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1QKY7JVnv0?rel=0&w=1280&h=720]