The Story of Coppélia

ACT I

In a village in Galicia, once an Austo-Hungarian province on the Carpathian slope, a festival honors a new town belltower. Dr. Coppélius, toymaker, inventor, and magician, exhibits his masterwork, Coppélia, a life-sized doll whom he thinks of as a daughter. Frantz is a village lad, and engaged to a local girl, Swanilda. His interest is piqued by his flirtation with the pretty doll. Frantz roughs up Dr. Coppélius with some other townsmen. In their horseplay, the key to his studio is lost, which Swanilda later discovers, enabling her and her friends to sneak into the studio.

ACT II

Dr. Coppélius returns to the studio and expels Swanilda’s companions while she hides herself. Frantz, following love and curiosity, climbs in a window to the studio. He is soon sedated by Coppélius’ potion. The magician imagines he may animate his doll by drawing energy from the sleeping youth. Swanilda, now dressed in Coppélia’s clothes, dances a Scottish reel and Spanish fandango. Coppélius, at first in ecstasy over this apparent triumph, is plunged into despair when he uncovers her heartless imposture.

ACT III

Village couples unite in holiday dress before the mayor for The Festival of Bells. Various occasions upon which the bells are to be rung—for work, prayer, war, peace, dawn, and other golden hours—are celebrated. Swanilda will marry Frantz, and Dr. Coppélius ends a broken man.

Synopsis provided courtesy of New York City Ballet with the permission of The Balanchine Trust.