Photo: Gene Schiavone

Loosely based on a work by the same author that inspired the seminal holiday ballet The Nutcracker and featuring choreography by George Balanchine, Boston Ballet’s production of Coppélia comes to the Boston Opera House March 21–31. E.T.A. Hoffmann’s short story “Der Sandmann” forms the framework of this tale of a young couple and their encounters with Dr. Coppélius, an inventor and toymaker who wishes his lifelike doll to come to life. Set to the score of the original 1870 version by French composer Léo Delibes, Coppélia was hailed as “engaging throughout, with high-spirited performances” by The Boston Globe when it was mounted by Boston Ballet in 2013.