Don Quixote
The ballet opens with the disillusioned and aging nobleman, Don Quixote searching through his book of adventures convinced he must travel to far off lands to do his work. His trusted companion Sancho Panza persuades Don Quixote to look no further than the village in front of him.
SCENE I – A Spanish Village
Kitri is searching for her lover Basilio, a gallant young barber. The meet happily on the square but her father, the innkeeper Lorenzo, tries to force her to marry Gamache, a rich nobleman. She refuses; Townsfolk take part in the festivities, which are interrupted by the arrival of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Lorenzo offers the old knight hospitality at his inn but Sancho Panza suffers some teasing from the children until his master rescues him. Watching Kitri dancing with Basilio, Don Quixote imagines she is Dulcinea, the lady of his dreams, and invites her to dance with him. Gamache is furious but reluctantly joins in the make believe. In the general confusion, Kitri and Basilio run away together to get married. Lorenzo and Gamache set out in pursuit, followed by Don Quixote with his squire, bent on setting all wrongs to right.
Scene II – The Plain of Montiel
Kitri and Basilio run away and find shelter in a secluded spot near a windmill. It is the camp of a troupe of gypsy players. The Leader of the Gypsies wakes and calls his fellow gypsies to come, meet and dance for Kitri and Basilio. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza arrive at the scene and once again Don Quixote is entranced by Kitri mistaking her for his heroine Dulcinea. In his confused state, he imagines the Windmill is a monster and attacks it and suffers from this encounter. This confusion allows the lovers to escape, and Lorenzo and Gamache follow in hot pursuit.
SCENE III – The Dream
Half unconscious from his injuries, Don Quixote imagines that he has been transported to a magic garden. As a reward for his valour and faithfulness, the Queen of the Dryads brings to him the grateful Dulcinea and he declares his love for her. His dream world fades and Don Quixote continues his quest for the lady of his visions.
SCENE IV – A Tavern outside the Town
Kitri and Basilio are celebrating their reunion with their friends. They are discovered by Lorenzo and Gamache, who are still being followed by Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Lorenzo is determined to marry his daughter to the wealthy Gamache. In desperation, Kitri and Basilio decide to try playing a last trick on Lorenzo. Basilio pretends to stab himself in jealous despair, while Kitri implores Don Quixote for help. Remembering his vow to right a wrong, he forces Lorenzo to bless the lovers, convinced that Basilio is dying. Gamache is furious and challenges Don Quixote to a duel but is defeated. As the lovers are united, Basilio makes a miraculous recovery – their scheme has worked. Don Quixote, having succeeded in righting a wrong, realises that he needs to continue on his quest. Valiantly he sets out once more to perform deeds of chivalry in the name of his beloved Dulcinea.
SCENE V – The Wedding of Kitri and Basilio
Interesting facts
- Marius Petipa’s creation was not the first adaptation of ‘Don Quixote’, but it is by far the most successful and well remembered.
- ‘Don Quixote’ is a ballet based on the novel by Saavedra Miguel de Cervantes, a Spanish writer.
- Cervantes died on the same day as William Shakespeare prompting UNESCO to declare 23rd April 1616, ‘World Book and Copyright Day’.
- The composer for this ballet was Aloisius Ludwig Minkus; the music for this ballet won him the post of Official Composer to the Imperial Russian Ballet.
- Arranged by Tatiana Pevneva.
- Produced by Sonya Shepherd.
