NORTH STAR BALLET PRESENTS FULL LENGTH COPPÉLIA 

Coppélia, one of ballet’s most cherished classics, was created at the Paris Opera by French choreographer, Arthur Saint-Leon, to music by French composer, Léo Delibes, and was first performed in 1870.  The ballet was an immediate success and has remained a favorite in the repertory ever since. The North Star Ballet’s production features lavish sets and costumes designed by Celeste Sullivan, who also designed the Company’s productions of The Nutcracker and Cinderella.  Kade Mendelowitz, Chair of the Theater Department of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, has designed the lighting.  Norman Shelburne, Artistic Director of the North Star Ballet, staged the production that follows the traditional choreography by Saint-Leon.  

Coppélia is a comedy ballet telling of the love of a young girl, Swanilda, and her fiancé, Franz, and how their love is nearly broken up by a life-like doll named Coppélia.  The story is set in a picturesque village in Central Europe at harvest time and in the strange workshop of Dr. Coppélius, the town’s most mysterious character and the creator of Coppélia.  The old Doctor’s dream of bringing his wooden figure to life is played out when Swanilda and her friends invade his workshop and Swanilda poses as Coppélia.   

In the Second Act of the ballet, the villagers gather to celebrate the wedding of the reunited couple.  The pageant includes the famous “Dance of the Hours”, a moving adagio representing the youthful strength and tenderness of love of Swanilda and Franz and a thrilling finale. 

Delibes’ delightful music enhances the action by giving each character a melodic signature. Traditional folk dances, introduced to ballet for the first time by Saint-Leon, add color and excitement to the ballet.