Singapore Dance Theatre presents Coppélia 2017
16 – 19 March 2017 | Esplanade Theatre
This year’s Season of Bliss will open with the most whimsical and enchanted ballet of all-time, Coppélia. From 16 – 19 March at The Esplanade Theatre, audiences will be treated to a colourful spectacular of joyous dancing.
“Coppélia became part of Singapore Dance Theatre’s performance repertoire early on in the company’s history. It is a narrative ballet that possesses authentic charm, artistic quality and visual delights for the audience. Coppélia endures as one of the most well- known ballets in the lexicon of ballet and, having established its legacy in repertoires all over the world, it leaves a responsibility in presentation and performance to us to attain. SDT last presented Coppélia in our 25th Anniversary season and what we bring to the ballet this time around, is the same delightful structure, plus more confidence and quality in how we show ourselves onstage to the audience. A ballet does not need to change for it to grow and develop artistically. Coppélia, along with The Nutcracker, has a narrative drawn from a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann and part of the enjoyment for the dancers is dancing through the story and using their abilities as dancers in acting, technique and drawing out all the delights possible for our audiences. It is an experience to be remembered.” says artistic director Janek Schergen.
This three-act ballet tells the light-hearted story of the mysterious Dr Coppélius who owns a beautiful life-sized puppet, Coppélia. A village youth named Franz, betrothed to the beautiful Swanilda becomes infatuated with Coppélia, not knowing that she just a doll. The magic and fun begins when Coppélia springs to life!
Coppélia is one of SDT’s favourite full-length classical ballets from our repertoire. This euphoric ballet was first performed by SDT in 1995 with staging by Colin Peasley of The Australian Ballet. With original choreography by Arthur St. Léon, Coppélia is staged with additional choreography by Janek Schergen. Be enthralled by this magical production that is set to music by Léo Delibes. Coppélia was last performed in 2013, so don’t miss the opportunity to catch it this time!
Act I
In an idyllic village in Galica, everyone is preparing to celebrate the Festival of the Bells. A beautiful girl, Swanilda, has been courted by the most charming boy in the village, Franz, in hopes that they will marry. He is also fascinated with the daughter of the village toy-maker, Dr. Coppélius. She is named Coppélia, and sits every day on the balcony of her father’s house reading.
Act II
Swanilda and her girlfriends cautiously enter into Dr. Coppélius’ workshop and finds it full of life size dolls. In attempting to find Coppélia, they set all the dolls in motion and are delighted with the results. It is revealed by Swanilda that Coppélia is nothing more than a beautiful doll herself. Just as this happens, Dr. Coppélius returns and chases them all from the house. Swanilda has hidden herself in Coppelia’s alcove and to trick Dr. Coppélius, dresses herself up to masquerade as the beautiful doll.
Act III
The following day, the village celebrates the Festival of the Bells. The end brings calm to the village and all the couples that marry on this day will be especially blessed.
FAST FACTS
Title : Coppélia
Date : 16 – 19 March 2017 (Thursday – Sunday)
Venue : Esplanade Theatre
Time : 16 – 17 Mar: 8pm | 18 March: 1pm & 8pm | 19 Mar: 1pm & 7pm
Ticket prices : $35, $55, $75 (SISTIC fees apply)
20% concessions for: Children aged 12 and below/Students/NSF/Senior Citizens
Ticket Sales Date: General Sales: 1 December – 19 March 2017
Tickets are available at all authorised SISTIC outlets and SDT Office.
Email: ticketing@singaporedancetheatre.com or call 6338 0611 for ticket enquires.
MEDIA CONTACT
Amanda Teo
Assistant Marketing Manager
Amanda.teo@singaporedancetheatre.com
Larissa D’cruz
Executive, Marketing and PR
larissa@singaporedancetheatre.com
Office: (65) 6338 0611 | Fax: (65) 6338 9748 | www.singaporedancetheatre.com
ARTISTIC TEAM
Artistic Director: Janek Schergen
Ballet Master: Mohamed Noor Sarman
Principal Artists: Chihiro Uchida, Li Jie and Kenya Nakamura
First Artist: Chua Bi Ru Elaine, Heng May Yen Cheah, Etienne Ferrère, Jason Carter, Kensuke Yorozu and Nazer Salgado
Artists: Akira Nakahama, Beatrice Castañeda, Kana Minegishi, Kwok Min Yi, Ma Ni Mai, Suzuki Marina Yatsushiro, Nanase Tanaka, Ruth Austin, Sun Hong Lei, Xu Lei Ting, Yeo Chan Yee, Huo Liang, Justin Zee, Peter Allen, Reece Hudson, Shan Del Vecchio, Shi Yue Tony, Takeaki Miura, Timothy Ng and Wan Jiajing Jerry
Apprentices: Leane Lim, Niki Wong, Tamana Watanabe, Valerie Yeo, Jeremie Gan and Satoru Agetsuma
