In 1967, the Beatles released a song about “a girl with kaleidoscope eyes,” but on today’s date in 1870, it was “a girl with enamel eyes” that was the subject of a ballet that debuted on today’s date at the Paris Opéra.

The ballet’s full title was “Coppelia, or the Girl with Enamel Eyes,” and its story-line was based on a fantastic tale by the German Romantic writer E.T.A. Hoffmann, dealing with the mad toymaker Dr. Coppelius, and his uncannily lifelike doll Coppélia, and the complications the beautiful doll causes in the love-life of a small Polish village.

The music was provided by a 30-something French composer named Leo Delibes. “Coppelia” was a great success, much to Delibes’ relief. He had been juggling several jobs in Paris, but the new ballet’s financial success allowed him to concentrate on composing as his main career from then on.

Delibes followed up on the success of “Coppelia” with another ballet, “Sylvia,” in 1876, and, in 1883, his opera “Lakmé” premiered at the Opéra-Comique.

Along with the famous ballets of Tchaikovsky, Delibes’ “Coppelia” is now regarded as the culmination of the 19th century Romantic ballet.

Leo Delibes (1836 –1891) Coppelia Lyons Opera Orchestra; Kent Nagano, cond. Erato 91730