Is Coppelia a Petipa Ballet?

Ballet

Coppelia is a three-act ballet with music by Leo Delibes and choreography by Marius Petipa. The production was first performed at the Imperial Ballet of St. Petersburg on May 25, 1870.

The ballet tells the story of a strange and mysterious girl named Coppelia, who is made of wax and lives in an attic. She is brought to life by a young man named Franz, who falls in love with her and attempts to win her affections. However, his plans are foiled when he discovers that Coppelia is not real but a creation of Dr. Coppelius, an eccentric inventor who lives nearby.

The original choreography for this production was created by Marius Petipa, one of the most influential ballet choreographers of all time. He was known for creating intricate, classical ballets that showcased the technical skill and grace of the performers. His version of Coppelia included complex patterns in the pas de deux between Franz and Coppelia as well as intricate variations for other characters such as Dr. Coppelius and his daughter Swanilda.

Since its premiere in 1870, Coppelia has been performed around the world and has become one of the most popular ballets in existence today. While there have been numerous productions with different interpretations over the years, they all owe their roots to Petipa’s original work.

Therefore, it can be concluded that Coppelia is indeed a Petipa ballet.