Wichita Grand Opera continues its “Season on A Grand Scale” with its Second Annual Family Night and the presentation of the enchanting and comical ballet by Léo Delibes, Coppélia, performed by the magnificent Moscow Festival Ballet. The one performance takes place on the Concert Hall stage of Century II Performing Arts Center, Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at 7pm. According to The London Times, Coppélia is “the perfect show for the entire family to enjoy.”

Set in a picturesque peasant village in early 19th Century Europe, the inventor, Doctor Coppelius makes a dancing life-size mechanical doll which he calls Coppélia. Franz notices the beautiful Coppélia sitting on the porch, and begins to flirt with her. Doctor Coppelius notices Franz's interest in his doll, and activates her so that she waves back at him. This simple act of fancy ignites a tale fraught with romance and comedy. Swanilda, the maiden in love with Franz, sets out to show him his folly, and Coppelius sets out to imbue his doll with real life.

The Moscow Festival Ballet dancers exemplify the fusion of styles of the legendary Bolshoi and Kirov ballets, the universal standard for ballet companies world-wide. The Moscow Festival Ballet, consisting of over fifty dancers, has gained stellar reviews from across the United States and the globe. [They] “deserved ‘bravos’ within minutes of the opening steps” (Las Vegas Review-Journal); and “spoke to the soul through the body” (The Post and Courier; Charleston, South Carolina).

For tickets, call WGO Box Office at 316.262.8054.

Ballet and opera have always been closely associated. Many operas are composed with ballet integrated as part of the artistic experience, but most companies nowadays are forced to eliminate that aspect of opera for financial reasons. However, the major opera houses in the United States and Europe still have excellent ballet companies in residence. It is with this tradition in mind that the Wichita Grand Opera not only incorporates a corps de ballet in their opera productions, but also presents superb ballet companies each season.

At the helm is Artistic Director Sergei Radchenko, selected by Presidential decree to lead this outstanding company. He is one of the Bolshoi Ballet’s most celebrated soloists. Few companies have the resources to maintain a corps de ballet of over 50 dancers trained to the exacting standards of the Russian ballet academies, and Radchenko ensures that every member of the company is in full command of the precision and the expressiveness necessary to bring the story to life.

Single tickets for Coppélia are $35, $58, and $85. Special discount prices are available for seniors, students, military personnel, and groups of 10 or more. The WGO is also offering a very special Family package: 4 tickets in our "good" seating for $100, saving a family of four $40, and 4 tickets in our "better" seating for $140, saving a family of four $92.

In addition, WGO is teaming up with the Broadview Hotel and the Hawthorn Suites to offer a special package for out-of-town patrons: two “Better” tickets and a one night stay in one of their exclusive suites, all at a cost of $150. For single tickets or group discounts call or visit the following locations:

• WGO Box Office, 3rd Floor, Century II Concert Hall, 225 W. Douglas
• WGO Box Office, 316.262.8054, week-days 9am and 6pm
• Select-A-Seat outlet at local area Dillons stores.
• www.selectaseat.com

For more information about this performance or the remainder of the 2009-10 season, logon to www.WichitaGrandOpera.org.

This production is sponsored in part by Dr. Lyle Zepick, The Cessna Corporation, and Mr. and Mrs. Steve Laughlin.