Executive Director’s Notes: Coppélia

Welcome to Coppélia, PNB’s final repertory program of the 2023/24 season. It’s been several years since we last presented the luminous, lighthearted world of Coppélia, and it’s a joy to bring this beautiful production back to life. If you joined us for our most recent two programs, you may find it hard to believe that the company of classical dancers onstage before you could possibly be the same group of artists who so totally committed to the contemporary choreography of Crystal Pite, Alejandro Cerrudo, Matthew Neenan, Twyla Tharp, and Jessica Lang in March and April.

Zoe Meadows-Sahr2024-05-24T16:43:03-07:00May 24th, 2024|Categories: Director's Notebook, Performances|Tags: 2023/24 Season, Coppelia, Ellen Walker|Comments Off

Artistic Director’s Notebook: Coppélia

Almost fifty years ago, I attended a New York City Ballet performance of George Balanchine’s Coppélia. Somewhere in the middle of the first act, I decided I wanted to dance. You know the rest of this story. Coppélia is all about the dancing, and the music, and the laughter, colors, costumes, and scenery. It may have the same effect on you as it did on me all those years ago.

Zoe Meadows-Sahr2024-05-24T16:40:52-07:00May 24th, 2024|Categories: Director's Notebook, Performances|Tags: 2023/24 Season, Alexandra Danilova, Coppelia, George Balanchine, Judith Fugate, Otto Neubert, Peter Boal|Comments Off

Everything You Need to Know About Attending the Ballet with Kids

Bringing children to the ballet for the first time can be intimidating. Today on the PNB blog, we’re walking through the experience of attending a show with kids, from picking a performance to enjoying intermission together. For each step along the way, we’ve got a tip or two to help you experience the magic of ballet with a special little one in your life!

Zoe Meadows-Sahr2024-05-08T12:03:22-07:00May 7th, 2024|Categories: Performances|Tags: 2023/24 Season, Coppelia, Tickets|Comments Off

Coppélia Story and Character Guide

When silent beauty Coppélia appears on the balcony of toymaker Doctor Coppelius’ workshop, hilarious antics quickly ensue. Franz is smitten, and his sweetheart Swanilda is determined to settle this love triangle once and for all. Learn the full story of the Coppélia ballet and familiarize yourself with its comical characters in this blog!

Zoe Meadows-Sahr2024-05-28T14:07:13-07:00May 3rd, 2024|Categories: Performances|Tags: 2023/24 Season, Coppelia, George Balanchine|Comments Off

The Man Behind the Music: Léo Delibes

Composer Léo Delibes, perhaps best remembered for the ballet Coppélia, greatly impacted ballet music. Even iconic ballet composer Tchaikovsky admired his work. Today on the PNB blog, learn more about his life, his impact, and his ballet Coppélia!

Zoe Meadows-Sahr2024-04-25T10:42:47-07:00April 24th, 2024|Categories: Performances|Tags: 2023/24 Season, Coppelia|Comments Off

Executive Director’s Notes – Coppélia

Executive Director’s Notes: Coppélia

Dear Friends,

We’re so glad to see you here, on your screen, for the Rep V installment in our Dance Happens Everywhere digital season. Your enthusiasm for both the new works we’ve created for film as well as PNB’s archival features […]

Maris Antolin2023-09-26T14:37:47-07:00May 3rd, 2021|Categories: Dance Happens Everywhere, Director's Notebook|Tags: 2020/21 Season, Coppelia, Digital Season, Ellen Walker, PNB Orchestra|Comments Off

Artistic Director’s Notebook: Coppélia

In the spring of 1974, my parents took my sister and me to a performance of George Balanchine and Alexandra Danilova’s Coppélia at New York State Theater. It wasn’t my first ballet, but it was the one that prompted me to ask my mom […]

Maris Antolin2023-09-26T14:38:41-07:00May 3rd, 2021|Categories: Dance Happens Everywhere, Director's Notebook|Tags: 2020/21 Season, Alexandra Danilova, Benjamin Griffiths, Coppelia, Digital Season, Final Bow for Yellowface, George Balanchine, Georgina Pazcoguin, Leo Delibes, Leta Biasucci, Peter Boal, Phil Chan, Ryan Cardea|Comments Off

Tell The Tale: Coppélia

Setting: A little town in Galicia, in Eastern Europe. Located between modern-day Poland and Ukraine.

Meet the Characters

Frantz’ fiancée is […]

Swanhilda

Frantz’ fiancée is […]

Maris Antolin2016-04-11T10:00:21-07:00April 11th, 2016|Categories: Performances, Tell the Tale|Tags: 2015/16 Season, Coppelia, Elizabeth Murphy, George Balanchine, Jerome Tisserand, Lesley Rausch, William Lin-Yee|Comments Off

Coppélia: Then & Now

Cecilia Iliesiu as an SAB Student in George Balanchine's "Coppelia" Waltz of the Hours in 2003.

George Balanchine’s Coppélia is a ballet near and dear to my heart. As I rehearse for its opening in one week, I daydream about my memories as a […]

Maris Antolin2016-04-04T00:37:12-07:00April 4th, 2016|Categories: Performances|Tags: 2015/16 Season, Cecilia Iliesiu, Coppelia, David H. Koch Theater, Garielle Whittle, George Balanchine, New York State Theater, Peter Boal, PNB Blog, PNB School, Waltz of the Hours|Comments Off

Artistic Director’s Notebook: Coppélia

By now you’ve probably heard the old story about me and Coppélia. To do it justice, I’ll have to go back to 1948, when the New York City Ballet was born. That same year, my grandfather accepted a position working for the United Nations, causing my grandparents to relocate to […]

Maris Antolin2023-10-10T16:18:32-07:00June 4th, 2010|Categories: Director's Notebook, Performances|Tags: 2009/10 Season, Coppelia, George Balanchine, Peter Boal|1 Comment