ACT 1
Swanilda and her fiance Franz live in a small town. The talk of the town is a magician and toymaker – Dr Coppelius and his daughter, Coppelia, who spends all her time sitting on the balcony, reading a book and gives no one her attention. Franz is mesmerized by Coppelia’s beauty, which makes Swanilda angry.
The town is celebrating a new town bell, which is due to arrive any day. Anyone, who gets married on that day will be awarded a special gift.
The village square empties and Dr Coppelius leaves his house. As he makes his way across the square, the key to his house drops from his pocket. Swanilde and her friends find the key and enter the house. Soon after, Franz arrives, notices that the door is open and enters the house as well.
ACT 2
Swanilde and her friends cautiously enter the dark, gloomy workshop of Dr Coppelius. They find themselves in a room filled with life size mechanical dolls, they wind them up and watch them move. To her joy, Swanilda discovers that Coppelia is also only a doll. Coppelius returns home and chases the girls from his house, all except Swanilda, who hides behind the curtain.Franz then enters, explaining that he is in love with Coppelia.
Dr Coppelius drugs Franz. His plan is to bring Coppelia, his beloved doll, to life by transferring Franz’s life force into her. Meanwhile, Swanilda gets an idea, she pretends to be Coppelia to save Franz. She wakes Franz and quickly escapes. Dr Coppelius is heartbroken to find a lifeless Coppelia behind the curtain.
ACT 3
The following day, during the celebration for the new bell, Swanilda and Frantz are to be married and receive their gift. Dr Coppelius bursts into the square and demands to be paid for the damage done to his workshop by Swanilda and her friends. Swanilda offers Coppelius the gift they receive from the Mayor. The whole village joins in the dancing to celebrate the marriage of Swanilda and Franz. |
