Free: Coppélia by Australian Ballet, 9 to 23 July

Photo courtesy of Australian Ballet

Ballet transports you to places, sometimes faraway and magical lands. It makes you let go of your anxieties and experience the thrill and liberation of every leap and lift. Since its invention in Italian Renaissance courts from the 15th century to today, ballet as an art form has offered an escape from the troubles of life.

To help Australians cope with the COVID-19 isolation, the Australian Ballet is offering free online access to high-definition videos of their full-length performances. Each production is released on Thursdays from 5pm AEST and available for two weeks. Click on this link to enjoy each production – https://australianballet.com.au/the-ballets/digital-season. Regrettably, there is no access for our international readers.

Coppélia features a young and head-strong protagonist, dancing automatons, and even some magic. It is based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann entitled The Sandman, published in 1815. It was originally choreographed by Arthur Saint-Léon to the music of Léo Delibes.

Coppélia premiered in 1870 and introduced automatons, dolls, and marionettes to ballet. It is the defining comic ballet of the Romantic period during the 19th century. Romantic ballets evolved as a reaction against the classicism that dominated 18th century art and literature and shifted their focus away from the gods and deities to humans and their struggles.

The Australian Ballet is the largest classical ballet company in Australia, inspiring and delighting audiences since 1962. It is also the nation’s premiere dance company, presenting performances each year in capital cities, regional centres and schools around the country.