It’s not too late to go to see Coppélia! It was fabulous, and Boston Ballet is only the second U.S. city to perform George Balanchine’s 1974 version. So it’s a definite must-see! Check out my review in tomorrow’s Metro.
Here’s some background:
Coppélia made its world debut on May 25, 1870 in Paris, with original choreography by Arthur Saint-Léon and Charles Nuitter and music by Leo Delibes. (You’ll recognize the Prelude). The comedic full-length, three act ballet is inspired by “Der Sandmann” (“The Sandman”) by E.T.A. Hoffmann, (author of “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” from which “The Nutcracker” is based). Knowing that, you’ll see some similarities.
In 1884 Marius Petipa restaged the original version, and 10 years later, Enrico Cecchetti made some revisions. In 1974, George Balanchine and Russian-born prima ballerina Alexandra Danilova (who is the poster-child for Swanilda) updated Petipa’s staging for his New York City Ballet. Balanchine re-envisioned an entirely new third act, putting the emphasis on dance and less on plot. NYCB premiered this rare Balanchine story ballet July 17, 1974 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY (the summer home for the company).
Last week Judith Fugate, stager for the Balanchine Trust told me why the comedic story ballet is perfect for the whole family. Here’s the story in Metro.
‘HANDSOME MEN WEARING TIGHTS’
Ballet stager and former NYCB principal Judith Fugate on why the Boston Ballet’s ‘Coppelia’ truly has something for the whole family
by Katrina T. Lallier
Metro Boston, April 9, 2010
When something so rare comes to town, you must take advantage of it.
This month, that rarity is George Balanchine’s “Coppelia.” Boston Ballet is the first U.S. company other than the choreographer’s own New York City Ballet (and only the third internationally) to perform the 1974 version.
“Maybe when other companies or directors think of Balanchine, they automatically think of his neoclassic works … and not full-lengths. He didn’t do many and unless you’ve seen it, you may not know about it,” says former NYCB principal Judith Fugate.
Now, working for the Balanchine Trust, Fugate is responsible for the massive task of staging the comedic full-length ballet for artistic director Mikko Nissenen’s dancers.
“I think BB is a great fit because the dancers are familiar with the Balanchine’s style but are also experienced with story ballets and acting, so they can meld the two together easily,” she says.
Family Planning
Boston Ballet is plugging “Coppelia” as a show great for the whole family. Fugate on why it’s so appealing:
Seniors/grandparents: They will appreciate the traditional style of the ballet that perhaps they have seen over the years.
Parents: Well, if their daughter is one of the 24 “baby ballerinas” in the third act, that would be what appeals to them!
College kids/teenagers: The young men will enjoy seeing how the beautiful ballerinas move and the young ladies will see lots of handsome men wearing tights!
Little girls: I think every little girl wants to be a ballerina at some point in her life, so I guess they may enjoy just about everything about it.
The brother who gets dragged along: A friend of mine brought his 7-year-old son to a rehearsal in the studio and the little boy called it “wicked sweet.” I’m told that in 7-year-old language that means awesome.
Coppelia
April 8-18, 2010
The Opera House
$25-$140, 617-695-6955
www.bostonballet.org
To see Boston Ballet’s Misa Kuranaga in Coppélia, check out Faces of Boston Ballet.
Pointe & Press 