"Coppélia"
American Ballet Theater
Metropolitan Opera House
New York, New York
June 16, 2011
by Mary Cargill
copyright © 2011 by Mary Cargill

ABT's current version of the 1870 French comedy is based on the version Frederic Franklin danced in the 1930's, which was set by Nicholas Sergeyev from his notation of the Russian version of Marius Petipa; a distinguished lineage, indeed. There are similarities between this and the New York City Ballet's version (set by Alexandra Danilova, Franklin's frequent partner, who also danced the Sergeyev version), especially in the second act, though the ABT version has more mime for the mysterious Dr. Coppélius. ABT's version is pure delight, with beautiful, colorful sets (by Tony Straiges) and costumes (by Patrica Zipprodt) which gently evoke the 1880's, especially in the charming, old fashioned headdresses of the first act Coppélia and her friends.