The Ravel Performing Company, a non-profit organization founded in 1990 by artistic director Janet Hall, enriches the cultural lives of children through dance. Our performers, selected for their talent and dedication, work with exceptional choreography and perform unique works annually.
Coppélia is a comic ballet in three acts, originally choreographed by Arthur Saint-Léon to a score by Léo Delibes. Premiering in 1870 at the Paris Opéra, the ballet is based on Der Sandmann, a short story by E.T.A. Hoffmann. It blends romance, comedy, and fantasy, telling the story of a mischievous doll and the villagers who mistake her for a real girl.
The plot follows Swanilda, a spirited young woman, and her fiancé, Franz, who becomes infatuated with Coppélia, a mysterious girl who appears to sit motionless on the balcony of the eccentric Dr. Coppélius’ workshop. Unbeknownst to Franz, Coppélia is actually a lifelike mechanical doll. When Swanilda and her friends sneak into the workshop to uncover the truth, chaos ensues as she impersonates the doll to outwit both Franz and the toymaker.
Renowned for its lively folk dances, intricate mime, and sparkling music, Coppélia is a beloved staple of classical ballet, known for its charm, humor, and playful choreography.
