This sunny 19th century comic classic has been called one of the happiest ballets in existence. Encompassed in three lively acts are lighthearted renderings of love, loss, mistaken identity, revenge, reconciliation and to wrap it all up, a wedding with the promise of happily ever after. Coppelia, with choreography by Arthur Saint-Leon and music by Leo Delibes, had its premiere on May 25, 1870 in Paris and was an instant hit. If Giselle is the 19th century’s great tragic ballet, dance historians often cite Coppelia as the century’s standout comedy.

The Moscow Festival Ballet was founded in 1989 when legendary principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet Sergei Radchenko realized his vision of a company that 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 classical ballet. The Moscow Festival Ballet has toured extensively throughout the United States since 1997 and returns this year for a 17-week tour.

MOSCOW FESTIVAL BALLET

“COPPELIA”