Little Coppélia

In the the fourth independent production of the Hungarian National Ballet Institute, the story of Master Coppélius, the doll he creates, and a young couple in love come to life on stage. Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann’s novella The Sandman may be lesser-known than The Nutcracker, yet it has also inspired a famous ballet – and even an opera. The tale of Coppélia is particularly relevant for today’s children, as it reflects on how machines and technological illusions shape human life and thinking. The ballet’s central theme revolves around a doll mistaken for a real person, nearly destroying a happy relationship. However, truth ultimately prevails, leading to the expected happy ending. Set to the music of Léo Delibes, the production features stunning sets and lavish costumes. A narrator helps younger audiences understand the story, while students of the ballet institute perform the most important scenes alongside professional dancers, under the direction of Dace Radina, artistic director of the institute.