DON QUIXOTE
THE STORY
Ballet music by Minkus, Choreography by Petipa. Original work by Miguel Cervantes.
Special thanks to JVL Studios for the photography featured on this page.
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Prologue - Don Quixote's Study
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Our story begins in Don Quixote's study full of books. Having read his fill of romances about knights and chivalry, he decides to set off on his own adventure in order to achieve similar great feats by himself. The goal of his heroic adventures is to bring glory to his name to earn the affection of his dream girl "Dulcinea".
As his sword-bearer, he chooses his loyal servant Sancho Panza, a modest man of sober outlook who has no time for daydreaming. Together with his trusty steed, a tired old horse called "Rocinante," and a donkey for Sancho, they embark on their epic journey...
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Act 1 - Barcelona, the Town Square
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The town square in Barcelona is a bustling and lively square filled with young people singing and dancing and showing off to each other as they flirt and fall in love. Basilio the barber flirts with Kitri. Espada, the toreador flirts with Mercedes.
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Basilio, is in love with Kitri but her father, Lorenzo the inn keeper, has other plans for his daughter. He wants her to marry the rich nobleman, Gamanche much to her horror. The young couple try to persuade him but he is having none of it.
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Don Quixote and Sancho arrive. 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 to hide at the tavern. Lorenzo, Gamache and Don Quixote set out to look for her.
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Act II Scene 1 - The Tavern
Carmencita is dancing and beguiling the patrons of her Tavern. When Lorenzo, Gamache and Don Quixote arrive the couple's friends try to hide them.
Lorenzo wishes to announce the betrothal of Kitri and Gamache. But Basilio and Kitri have a plan... he pretends to take his life. Kitri sobs over the body of her sweetheart. Don Quixote steps in, overcome by noble indignation, he accuses Lorenzo of hardheartedness and threatens him with his sword. He successfully forces him to agree to his daughter’s marriage to the barber. With Lorenzo beaten, Basilio joyfully jumps to his feet. There is no point in him pretending to be dead any longer! Everybody cheers.
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Act II Scene 2 : The Gypsy Camp
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