ACT I
The curtain rises on the square of a small European town several hundred years ago. A lovely young girl, Coppélia, is seen sitting on a balcony reading a book as Swanhilda enters.
Swanhilda looks up at a girl, tries to attract her attention, but receives no reply. Franz, Swanhilda's lover, comes into the square and blows a kiss to the beautiful Coppélia. She
ignores him, too, and continues unconcerned with her book. However, Swanhilda has seen these attentions of her lover to another pretty girl. Franz is a very busy young man, assuring Swanhilda
that he is not faithless and his affections are hers alone. Still jealous, Swanhilda refuses to believe him and runs away as a group of young people interrupts their quarrel.
The bürgermeister/mayor enters to announce that at a celebration the following day, the Lord of the Manor will present dowries to all couples who wish to marry. Asked if she will marry
Franz, the pouting Swanhilda puts a sheaf of corn to her ear. Thus, according to old custom, the corn will tell her if her lover is faithful or not. Sadly, she says the sheaf is silent. The
other couples, however, are delighted at the bürgermeister's good news and dance until night falls when they must leave for home. Dr. Coppelius comes out, locks his door, and is
immediately swirled away by a boisterous band of revelers. In the excitement, he drops the key to his shop. Swanhilda and her friends appear and finding the key, they are filled with
curiosity about the strange doctor and enter his shop. Dr. Coppelius returns, sees his door open and darts in. Franz enters carrying a ladder, which he uses to climb on to Coppélia's
balcony.
ACT II
The curtain rises on the dimly lit interior of Dr. Coppelius' shop – a room full of life-like, life-size dolls. Swanhilda pokes her head into an alcove only to discover that
Coppélia is not a living, breathing woman, but actually one of Dr. Coppelius' life-size dolls. One of Swanhilda's friends jars a doll who dances until its clockwork runs down. The
amazed young intruders then wind up all the dolls who dance, as the friends watch, enchanted. Suddenly, a furious Dr. Coppelius enters and everyone except Swanhilda flees. She runs into the
alcove where Coppélia is kept. At the same time, Dr. Coppelius apprehends the faithless Franz entering by the window. Franz pleads his love for the beautiful Coppélia. Dr.
Coppelius pretends to listen with interest while he entices Franz with several well-doctored drinks. When the unsuspecting Franz passes out, Dr. Coppelius brings what he thinks is his
fabulous doll Coppélia from her alcove. However, it is Swanhilda who, overhearing Franz's declaration of love for Coppélia, has changed places with the doll. The doctor makes
some magical gestures over Swanhilda as she awkwardly rises to dance. The deluded Dr. Coppelius believes his puppet has come to life.
Swanhilda dances on and on, creating havoc in the room and upsetting all the doctor's work. Franz, who has just revived, dashes out of the room chased by Dr. Coppelius. Eluding the doctor,
Franz returns to watch the proceedings with glee until, finally, he and Swanhilda run out, leaving the shop in a shambles. Dr. Coppelius returns to discover the figure of Coppélia
lying in her chair, divested of clothes, and realizes that he has been deceived.
ACT III
The curtain rises on the final act, which is again set in the village square. Franz and Swanhilda, now reconciled, approach the bürgermeister to receive their dowries and be married. Dr.
Coppelius storms in, accusing the lovers of destroying his life's work. Swanhilda, realizing the justness of his claim, offers him her dowry, but the bürgermeister gives Dr. Coppelius a
bag of gold and sends him off. The townspeople then participate in the fete that unites Swanhilda and Franz in a happy marriage.
