Don
Quixote

Ludwig Minkus / Marius Petipa, Aleksandr Gorski, Alexei Fadeyechev

  • Act I

    45 min.

  • Intermission

    20 min.

  • Act II

    40 min.

  • Intermission

    20 min.

  • Act III

    ca. 35 min.

Duration: 2 h 40 min.

Performances

Ballet in three acts
Libretto: Marius Petipa based on the novel by Miguel de Cervantes
Premiere: 29 May 2014
Co-production: Royal Ballet of Flanders, Antwerp

A court ballet called Don Quichotte was danced at the royal Louvre as early as 1614 (!). After that, themes from Cervantes’ work found a permanent place in ballet, with dozens of new arrangements being created over the next 400 years. A true sensation, however, came with the ballet by Marius Petipa to music by Ludwig Minkus (1869), because it continues to be staged to this day, refreshed and processed by successive generations of choreographers. What is the source of its endurance and popularity? The picturesque scenery of old Spain, alluring Gypsy women and ornately dressed toreadors, the knight-errant of La Mancha, the comic Sancho Panza and the clumsy Gamache are always popular. The main characters, Kitri and Basilio, are unparalleled in the classical repertoire as far as grace, temperament and dance virtuosity goes. Together this creates an exciting classical dance revue in the Spanish style.

Cast

2017-02-08 | 19:00

Credits

Polish National Ballet
Orchestra of the Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera

Synopsis

  • Prologue

    Don Quixote, having read his fill of romances about knights and chivalry, decides to set off on his travels in order to achieve great feats, which will bring glory to his name. As his sword-bearer, he chooses the loyal Sancho Panza, a man of sober outlook who is not prone to dreams.

  • Act I

    In Barcelona there is festive animation in the air. Kitri, daughter of the innkeeper, is flirting with Basilio, the barber, who is in love with her. Finding them together Lorenzo, Kitri's father, chases Basilio away: the barber is no fit match for his daughter. Lorenzo intends Kitri to marry Gamache, a rich nobleman. Kitri refuses outright to submit to her father's will.

    At the height of the merry-making, Don Quixote appears in the square, accompanied by his sword-bearer, Sancho Panza. Catching sight of the innkeeper, Don Quixote mistakes him for the owner of a knight's castle and greets him with respect. Lorenzo responds in like terms and invites Don Quixote into the inn. Sancho Panza is left in the square. But when some young people start to mock Sancho, Don Quixote immediately hurries to his sword-bearer's rescue.

    Seeing Kitri, Don Quixote thinks she is the beautiful Dulcinea whom he has seen in his dreams and chosen as 'the lady of his heart'. But Kitri disappears. She has run off with Basilio. Lorenzo, Gamache and Don Quixote set out to look for her.

  • Act II

    Scene 1
    Kitri and Basilio are hiding in a tavern. Here they are found by Lorenzo, Gamache and Don Quixote. Lorenzo wishes to make an immediate announcement of the betrothal of Kitri and Gamache. But Basilio, by agreement with Kitri, pretends to take his life. Kitri sobs over the body of her sweetheart. Don Quixote, overcome by noble indignation, accuses Lorenzo of hardheartedness and, threatening him with his sword forces him to agree to his daughter's marriage with the barber. Basilio jumps to his feet. There is no point in him pretending to be dead any longer.

    Scene 2
    In the glade by the windmills is a sprawling gipsy encampment. Here too is a puppet theatre. Don Quixote and Sancho soon appear on the scene. The owner of the puppet theatre invites Don Quixote to watch a show. Don Quixote follows the performance with rapt attention and, forgetting it is theatre, rushes on to the stage, sword in hand, to defend those who need his protection. He breaks down the stage, sends the puppets flying and, catching sight of the windmills, mistakes them for evil magicians whom he has to get the better of. Grabbing a mill sail, he is first lifted into the air and then falls to the ground.

    Scene 3
    The wounded Don Quixote and Sancho Panza find themselves in a forest. To Don Quixote, the forest seems to be full of monsters and giants. Sancho Panza settles Don Quixote down to sleep, while he runs off for help. In his dreams, Don Quixote sees Dulcinea, 'the lady of his heart', surrounded by dryads and fairies. Sancho Panza comes back with the Duke and Duchess who have been hunting in the forest. He begs them to help the dreaming Don Quixote. The Duke and Duchess invite the wandering knight to visit them in their castle.

  • Act III

    The Duke's castle. All is ready for the reception of Don Quixote. Having heard from Sancho Panza the happy story of Kitri and Basilio's love, the Duke and Duchess have kindly agreed to allow them to hold their wedding in the castle. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza are invited to occupy the seats of honour. A solemn procession files past. Catching sight of Kitri, Don Quixote again mistakes her for 'the lady of his reveries'. But the Duke and Sancho Panza manage to persuade him that she is the very same innkeeper's daughter whom he helped to unite with Basilio, her sweetheart. The festivities continue. All thank the valiant knight and his faithful sword-bearer.

Sponsors

  • Mecenas Teatru Wielkiego - Opery Narodowej

  • Partnerzy Teatru Wielkiego - Opery Narodowej

  • Partner Polskiego Baletu Narodowego

  • Patroni medialni Teatru Wielkiego - Opery Narodowej

  • Patron of Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera

  • Partners of Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera

  • Partner of the Polish National Ballet:

  • Media patrons of Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera