Boston Ballet brings the spring season to a triumphant close with George Balanchine's jubilant classic, Coppélia. Brimming with delightful characters and intricate choreography, Coppélia is a captivating full-length story ballet that will charm both young and old. The production runs from May 16-26, 2013 at The Boston Opera House.
"We are so thrilled to bring Boston the gift of beauty, spirit, and comedy all in one production," said Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen. "Coppélia embodies each of these traits, and reminds us that life is meant to contain an abundance of joy."
George Balanchine's Coppélia was first presented by Boston Ballet in 2010. The production featured new and refurbished sets and costumes, and was highly acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. Truly a light-hearted comedy, Coppélia is the tale of a life-size dancing doll created by Doctor Coppélius, the town's intriguing inventor. This exuberant story becomes a love-triangle full of laughter; beautifully showcasing the musicality of Balanchine's choreography. Principal dancer Jeffrey Cirio and Soloist Ashley Ellis will make their debuts as the leading roles in the ballet - Frantz and Swanilda.
Originally choreographed by Arthur St. Léon in 1870, the ballet is based on the E.T.A. Hoffman story "Der Sandmann." It is set to a wondrous score by Léo Delibes and links two monumental ballet periods - the French Romantic style and the Russian Classical style. In 1884, Coppélia was restaged by Marius Petipa, and again by Enrico Cecchetti in 1894. Nearly a century later, Balanchine made Coppélia his own, collaborating with Alexandra Danilova. The two preserved the storyline in Act I & II with fresh choreography, and created an entirely new Act III. Balanchine's revived classic made its debut with New York City Ballet in 1974 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. The iconic Act III village wedding scene features over 20 children, all of which are students of Boston Ballet School.
All performances of Coppélia will take place at The Boston Opera House:
- Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 7:30 PM
- Friday, May 17, 2013 at 7:30 PM
- Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 1:00 PM
- Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 7:30 PM
- Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 1:00 PM
- Wednesday, May 22 at 7:30 PM
- Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 7:30 PM
- Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 7:30 PM
- Friday, May 24, 2013 at 7:30 PM
- Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 1:00 PM
- Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 7:30 PM
- Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 1:00 PM
For more information, please visit: http://boxoffice.bostonballet.org
Founded in 1963, Boston Ballet is one of the leading dance companies in the world onstage, in the studio, and in the community. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen and Executive Director Barry Hughson, Boston Ballet has developed exceptional education and community initiatives, in addition to maintaining one of the largest ballet schools in the world, Boston Ballet School.
Boston Ballet maintains a repertoire of classical, neo-classical, and contemporary works, ranging from timeless classics such as Marius Petipa's The Sleeping Beauty and Giselle, John Cranko's Romeo and Juliet, and a rich collection of Balanchine choreography to cutting edge contemporary works by Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo and the visionary Jiří Kylián.
Boston Ballet gratefully acknowledges the following institutional partners:
State Street Corporation, 2012 Presenting Sponsor, The Nutcracker
Barr Foundation
The Boston Foundation
Massachusetts Cultural Council
National Endowment for the Arts
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