A ballet about love tested by illusion and deception
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Village Romance
Swanhilda and Franz are introduced as engaged lovers, but their relationship is tested when Franz becomes infatuated with Coppélia.
Key Events
Lovers Introduced — Swanhilda and Franz are introduced as engaged lovers Characters: Dancer (Swanhilda), Dancer (Franz)Location: Village Square
Franz Notices Coppélia — Franz becomes infatuated with Coppélia Characters: Dancer (Franz), Dancer (Coppélia)Location: Dr. Coppélius's Workshop
Swanhilda Discovers — Swanhilda discovers Franz's infatuation with Coppélia Characters: Dancer (Swanhilda), Dancer (Franz), Dancer (Coppélia)Location: Village Square
The Sinister Plot
Dr. Coppélius reveals his plans to use Franz for his experiments, while Swanhilda discovers the truth.
Key Events
Swanhilda Discovers — Swanhilda discovers Franz's infatuation with Coppélia Characters: Dancer (Swanhilda), Dancer (Franz), Dancer (Coppélia)Location: Village Square
Dr. Coppélius's Plan — Dr. Coppélius reveals his sinister plan Characters: Dancer (Dr. Coppélius), Dancer (Coppélia)Location: Workshop
Franz Falls Under Spell — Franz falls under Dr. Coppélius's spell Characters: Dancer (Franz), Dancer (Dr. Coppélius), Dancer (Coppélia)Location: Workshop
Swanhilda's Disguise — Swanhilda decides to disguise herself as Coppélia Characters: Dancer (Swanhilda), Dancer (Coppélia)Location: Workshop
The Rescue Mission
Swanhilda disguises herself as Coppélia to save Franz from Dr. Coppélius's control and sinister fate.
Key Events
Swanhilda's Disguise — Swanhilda decides to disguise herself as Coppélia Characters: Dancer (Swanhilda), Dancer (Coppélia)Location: Workshop
The Rescue Attempt — Swanhilda in disguise attempts to rescue Franz Characters: Dancer (Swanhilda), Dancer (Franz), Dancer (Dr. Coppélius)Location: Workshop
Truth Revealed — Swanhilda's disguise is revealed, saving Franz Characters: Dancer (Swanhilda), Dancer (Franz), Dancer (Dr. Coppélius)Location: Workshop
Dr. Coppélius Defeated — Dr. Coppélius's plans are thwarted Characters: Dancer (Swanhilda), Dancer (Franz), Dancer (Dr. Coppélius)Location: Workshop
The Triumphant Union
Swanhilda successfully saves Franz, they overcome Dr. Coppélius, and their love is sealed with marriage.
Key Events
Dr. Coppélius Defeated — Dr. Coppélius's plans are thwarted Characters: Dancer (Swanhilda), Dancer (Franz), Dancer (Dr. Coppélius)Location: Workshop
Lovers' Union — Swanhilda and Franz marry and perform pas de deux Characters: Dancer (Swanhilda), Dancer (Franz)Location: Village Square
Peggy Van Praagh directs Coppélia, a ballet by Arthur Saint-Léon inspired by Hoffmann’s haunting short story The Sandman. The story narrates the adventures of Swanilda (played by the sublime Ako Kondo) and Franz (the majestic Chengwu Guo), two lovers put to the test by the magician Dr. Coppelius, a manufacturer of automaton dolls. In Van Praagh’s production, Franz falls under the spell of Coppélia, the daughter of the ill-intentioned Coppelius. Swanilda manages to save her fiancé from a sinister fate, and the two lovers marry and seal their union with a tender pas de deux. The magnificent décor of the Sydney Opera House, the sumptuous costumes by Kristian Fredrikson, and the highly theatrical nature of the ballet and the music by Léo Delibes make it easy to be swept away into this magical world!
