Ballet’s Most Celebrated Comedy
The San Antonio Express-News has raved about Ballet San Antonio’s production of this comedic ballet classic: “From start to finish, it’s a colorful, amusing and beautifully danced show that does justice to the story, Leo Delibes’ score and the classical tradition.”
Coppelia, the most celebrated ballet comedy of all time, tells a lively story of jealousy, stubborn love, and mistaken identity.
On one side of the town’s square lives an absent-minded toymaker, Dr. Coppelius, who shares a house with his beautiful daughter Coppelia. Everyday, Coppelia sits in the balcony window reading a book. Her neighbor, Swanhilda, is puzzled by Coppelia who ignores her. Swanhilda attempts to ignore this rude behavior, but her temper is inflamed when she sees her boyfriend, Franz, blowing kisses to Coppelia. Swanhilda and Franz spend the first act exchanging stubborn affection for each other.
From start to finish, it’s a colorful, amusing and beautifully danced show that does justice to the story, Leo Delibes’ score and the classical tradition. San Antonio Express-News
Every evening Dr. Coppelius locks up his house and goes for a drink at the local tavern. The village’s young men tease and harass Dr. Coppelius, causing him to drop his house key. The key is found by Swanhilda and her friends, who summon up their courage and sneak into his house to see Coppelia. Dr. Coppelius returns to find the door to his house open, and goes inside to investigate. At the same time, Franz arrives with a ladder, determined to climb the balcony to meet Coppelia.
Swanhilda and her friends are surprised to discover Dr. Coppelius’ workshop is full of life-size dolls and that Coppelia is one of them. Dr. Coppelius enters and chases the girls out of his workshop, except Swanhilda, who hides and disguises herself in Coppelia’s clothing. Franz climbs in through the window and is surprised by Dr. Coppelius. Dr. Coppelius sedates Franz to use the young man’s spirit to bring Coppelia to life. The magic seems to work as Coppelia slowly starts to walk and dance. Just as things get out of hand, Franz wakes up. Dr. Coppelius discovers that he has been tricked by Swanhilda and that Coppelia is only a doll after all.
The delightful ballet ends with Dr. Coppelius being offered Swanhilda’s apologies and a bag of the town’s gold. He is invited to celebrate Franz and Swanhilda’s wedding.
February 3 & 4, 2012
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, 2 p.m.
Lila Cockrell Theatre
Coppelia tickets will be available in January. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster. Please call 210-404-9641 or email sales@balletsanantonio.org with any questions or for more information.
