Tutu for Swanilda worn by Merle Park and Lois Strike in Act III of the ballet 'Coppelia', The Royal Ballet, ca. 1970.

Long-skirted white and gold tutu (1870s style but without the bussle-effect) with short sleeves for Swanilda in Act III of the ballet Coppelia. The bodice and skirt are decorated with gold and a flesh net fill is decorated to suggest gold and coin necklaces

Given by the Royal Academy of Dance

Costume for Swanilda worn by Merle Park and Lois Strike in Act III of the ballet 'Coppelia'. The ballet, with music by Leo Delibes and choreography by Arthur Saint-Leon, was first performed at the Paris Opera on 25th May, 1870. In 1884, the ballet was restaged in St. Petersburg with new choreography by Lev Ivanov and Enrico Cecchetti for the Imperial Russian Ballet. This version of the work was notated by Nicholas Sergeyev before the Russian revolution, and it was he who staged the Ivanov/Cecchetti production for the Vic Wells (now Royal) Ballet at Sadler's Wells in 1931. Ninette de Valois revised Sergeyev's staging for a new production at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 2nd March 1954. This production was designed by Osbert Lancaster, and is still in the current repertoire of The Royal Ballet (2004).

Lancaster's costumes were used in the Ballet For All production 'Two Coppelias' in 1967, and both sets and costumes were also used for Peter Wright's staging of the ballet for Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet in 1975.

Merle Park danced the role of Swanilda from 1958 until 1976, and Lois Strike first danced the role in 1975.

Reason For Production: Commission

S.1598-1982