Delibes - Delibes: Coppelia

Premiered by the Opera De Paris in 1870, and inspired by the fantastical writings of E.T.A. Hoffmann, Coppelia tells the story of a young man who becomes besotted with an exquisite automaton and is finally brought to his senses by his fiancee. In their production from the magnificent Palais Garnier, choreographer Patrice Bart in his final production and designer Ezio Toffolutti explore the story's darker side while doing full justice to the exuberance and elegance of Delibes' glorious score.''The Paris Opera orchestra played sensuously for the conductor, Koen Kessels...costumes were extremely attractive, set theatrically striking. The dancers were models of self-presentation''New York Times