Northrop Dance Presents Coppelia by the Moscow Festival Ballet, 1/14, 1/15/2010

Northrop Dance at the University of Minnesota brings the charming and comedic storybook ballet Coppélia by the Moscow Festival Ballet. The full length ballet in three acts revolves around the love story between the classic role of Swanhilda and her fiancé, Franz, and his infatuation with the invention of the mysterious Doctor Coppélius. The performance premiered in 1870, making it the first well-known comic ballet. Founded in 1989 by legendary Bolshoi Ballet principal dancer Sergei Radchenko, the Moscow Festival Ballet attains the highest classical elements derived from the great Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies. Coppélia will showcase all of the hallmarks of Russian ballet: gorgeous bodies, beautiful technique, and stunningly dramatic interpretation.

Created by the infamous Arthur Saint-Leon in 1870 for the Paris Opera, with a celebrated score by Leo Delibes, the story of Coppélia has become one of the most beloved, full-length, classic storybook ballets in history. Though not often seen in the Twin Cities, this story of a doll that comes to life was considered one of the first comic ballets when premiered and set the standard for many ballets of generations to come.

Act One:
In a small village in 19th Century Europe, Doctor Coppélius, the toymaker, makes Coppélia, a doll so life-like he passes her off as his daughter, placing her in a chair on his balcony reading a book. Swanilda enters, and sees her fiancé Franz approaching. She hides to surprise him, but is angered when Franz notices the beautiful Coppélia and begins to flirt with her. Coppélius notices Franz's interest in the doll, and activates her so she waves back.

The mayor arrives to announce a festival the following day, when the Lord of the Manor will provide handsome dowries to any young girls who marry on that day. The mayor asks Swanilda if she will marry Franz tomorrow, but she replies that she does not know if he still loves her. She breaks off their engagement, annoying Franz. However, he soon consoles himself that he is now free to pursue the beautiful Coppélia. Late that day, Swanilda finds a key to Doctor Coppélius' house and lets herself and her friends in to confront her rival. Franz then returns with a ladder to climb into the house through the balcony. Coppélius returns home to see his front door open and rushes inside to search for intruders.

Act Two:
Swanilda and her friends explore Coppélius' workshop. Swanilda finds Coppélia behind a screen and is greatly amused to find that her 'rival' is a doll, too. Just then Franz climbs through the window, and the girls hide. Swanilda decides to teach Franz a lesson by trading places with Coppélia. She changes into Coppélia's costume behind the screen and waits for Franz to discover her. But then Coppélius bursts in, and the girls are chased from the house, except Swanilda who is now posing as Coppélia. Finding Franz also in the room, Coppélius sets about him with his stick while Franz protests that he only meant to meet Coppélia. Coppélius appears to relent and promises to introduce Franz to her, but instead offers Franz a poisoned drink and attempts to use his magic to transfer some of Franz's life force into Coppélia to bring her to life, not knowing that Swanilda has switched places with the doll. Coppélia (Swanilda) begins to move mechanically at first, but her movements become less and less jerky and soon she is dancing perfectly around the workshop. She attempts to revive Franz whenever Coppélius is not looking. Satisfied with the results of his machinations, Coppélius attempts to push the reviving Franz out of his house. But Swanilda reveals her identity and shows Coppélius the lifeless Coppélia doll behind the screen. Devastated, Coppélius drops to the floor as the lovers escape.

Act Three:
Franz now realizes that he was foolish to become infatuated with a doll and realizes it is Swanilda whom he has truly loved all along. They join the other couples in the village square to be married and benefit from the Lord of the Manor's generosity. The newlyweds all dance happily, with Franz and Swanilda the happiest of them all. Coppélius makes an appearance, demanding compensation for the insult perpetrated against him. Swanhilda offers her dowry, but the Lord steps in, telling her to keep her gift, and gives Coppélius another bag of gold from his own pocket. Satisfied, Coppélius leaves and the festivities continue, everyone joining in the dancing to celebrate the union of all the young couples.

About the Company

The Moscow Festival Ballet was founded in 1989 when legendary principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet, Sergei Radchenko sought to realize his vision of a company which would bring together the highest classical elements of the great Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies in an independent new company within the framework of Russian classic ballet.

Leading dancers from across Russia have forged under Radchenko's direction an exciting new company staging new productions of timeless classics such as Giselle, Don Quixote, Paquite, and Carmen.

Since its inception, the Moscow Festival Ballet has completed two tours of Europe, with extraordinary receptions in Italy, France, Spain, German and the Netherlands. Two tours of the United Kingdom, including capacity audiences at London's famed Coliseum, have resulted in re-engagements during the 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons.

The company has also performed with great success in Turkey at the Istanbul Festival and in Greece at the Athens Festival, and recently completed a two-month tour of Japan, Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong. Under the direction of Radchenko, the company continues to expand its repertoire. In addition to commissioning new works from within Russia and abroad, the company specializes in 20th Century full-length ballets such as Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, Stone Flower, Legend of Love, and The Golden Age. Radchenko has researched the original choreography and stage productions of several of Marius Petipa's classic ballets, including new productions in 2000 of Don Quixote and Paquite and a recreations of Jules Perrot's and Jean Coralli's Giselle.

The Moscow Festival Ballet has toured extensively through the United States, beginning with a coast-to-coast tour in the Winter/Spring of 1997 and returning in 2001, 2004 and 2007. The company returns to America for a 17-week tour throughout the U.S. in 2010.

Sergei Radchenko | Artistic Director

Born in 1944, Radchenko graduated from the Moscow School of Dance in 1964 and then joined the Bolshoi Ballet, where he worked for 25 years. He danced the entire repertoire at the Bolshoi, but enjoyed a special reputation for Spanish dance, particularly the role of the bullfighter in the Bizet-Shchedrin Carm Suite. He is the founder and Artistic Director of the Moscow Festival Ballet and has achieved a remarkable feat in the establishment and development of this young, but great, Russian ballet company.

Radchenko presents a large number of master classes, inviting leading teachers from the Bolshoi and Maryinsky theatres to ensure the continuation of the rich traditions of the Russian classical school.

RELATED EVENTS
Performance Preview:
Fri, Jan 14 & and Sat, Jan 15 - 45 minutes before show time.

Join us for a performance preview in the basement of Northrop in Studio Four. Seating limited to capacity.

Crafts and Giveaways with American Girl
Fri, Jan 15 - 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Nolte Center for Continuing Education Cafeteria - Minneapolis Campus (next to Northrop)

Join Northrop and American Girl Mall of America for crafts and giveaways. Bring the whole family! RSVP by noon Friday, Jan 15 by clicking here or by calling the Northrop Ticket Office at 612-624-2345.

Individual Northrop Dance tickets ($10-$65) on sale through the Northrop Ticket Office at 612-624-2345, or room 105 Northrop, 84 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, or online at northrop.umn.edu. Ask for available discounts. Visit Northrop for more information.

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