The Academy of Ballet And Etiquette’s Pocket Guide to

Coppélia by Léo Delibes

Coppélia by Léo Delibes

Our new town bell is wonderful! Whenever something special happens, the Burgemeister (that’s the Mayor) rings it to let everyone know. And tomorrow is the day everyone who wants to get married can. So the Mayor tests the bell, and tests the bell, and tests the bell...until it breaks!

He runs to the Inventor, Dr. Coppelius, and begs, “please fix the bell!”

But Coppelius says. “No! When I leave my house people sneak in and break my work.”

So, the Bergemeister says, “that girl in your window can watch your house.”

And the Doctor says, “I have an idea!”

With his idea, the Doctor l ifts into Élevé.

On his way out, Coppelius shouts, “Goodbye, Coppélia!” And Fritz overhears.

Fritz waves at the doll, but she does not wave back. His girlfriend, Swanhilde, says, “You can’t get anyone’s attention!” Swanhilde glides, jumps and yells, “Hello! ... Hello!!!... HELLOO!!!” But the doll does not move. “That girl is so rude! I’ll tell her what I think of her!”

Swanhilde gl ides with a Gli ssade.

Swanhilde and her friends sneak into the Doctor’s studio. The friends make noise as they accidentally touch all his toys. The doctor comes home and shoos the friends away, but Swanhilde hides in Coppélia’s clothing. Just then, Fritz tumbles through the window. The Doctor demands, “Why are you here?!” Fritz says, “To meet the new girl.” The doctor is excited he’s tricked Fritz. He has a silly idea: he wants to make Fritz into a doll and marry him to Coppélia. Swanhilde doesn’t like this! Swanhilde dresses up like Coppélia and pops out of the box to trick the Doctor. “Coppélia!” the Doctor says, “You’re real!”

The Doll passes through passe and develops into développé.

When the doctor leaves the room, Swanhilde grabs Fritz and they run! “You saved me!” Fritz says, “Marry me!” And when morning arrives, Swanhilde and Fritz marry under the fixed town bell! Angels dance and Doctor Coppelius brings good wishes, because weddings are for celebrating!

Fritz reaches high in Arabesque.

Girls curtsy and Boys bow, And both gestures show each dancer how

To say "Thank you" for ballet class and their chance: without music, space and parents, they could not dance.

Révérence

Copyright ©2020 Sara Vizcarrondo Illustrations by Ilana Graf

The Academy of Ballet and Etiquette brings ballet classes to preschools and learning centers around the South Bay Area. Our 30 minute classes are structured around the story of a great ballet, with focus on one step each class. Using this booklet, you can dance through the story with your child at home! Here, we've compressed the ballet to basics, and illustrated steps danced by important characters. With this, you can reinforce your child’s growing cultural education and bring the magic of the Grand Ballet to life in your living room, yard or wherever you and your child dream together! At the end of ballet, dancers bow to say, “Thank you” for a place to dance, music to inspire us and parents to support our joy!

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