If you want a great night out at the theater, you can’t go far wrong with the beloved ballet canon staple, Don Quixote. A romantic comedy filled with humor, unforgettable characters, and feats of athleticism and artistry, it is a ballet that audiences and dancers love to return to again and again.
Choreographer: Alexander Gorsky, after Marius Petipa
Composer: Ludwig Minkus
Premiere: December 26, 1869 by Bolshoi Ballet at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre (Petipa); December 19, 1900 by Bolshoi Ballet at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre (Gorsky)
Overview:
In his study, the eccentric Don Quixote dreams of Dulcinea, his ideal woman. He is awoken by his neighbor, Sancho Panza. His head filled with stories of knights and damsels in distress, Don Quixote recruits Sancho as his squire and the two set off on an adventure.
In a local town, Kitri and her sweetheart Basilio dance alongside bullfighter Espada and their friends. Their joy is disrupted by her father Don Lorenzo, who wants her to marry the rich nobleman Gamache. Kitri refuses. Kitri and Basilio sneak off, chased by her father, Gamache, Don Quixote, and Sancho.
Seeking shelter in a windmill, Kitri and Basilio encounter a band of nomads, who help them evade their pursuers. When the others resume their chase, Don Quixote attacks the windmill and falls asleep, dreaming of the Queen of the Dryads, Cupid, and Dulcinea. When he wakes, he heads off again with Sancho.
Don Lorenzo catches up to his daughter and Basilio in a tavern and insists that Kitri marry Gamache. The lovers decide to play a trick on everyone. Basilio pretends to stab himself, and Kitri begs Don Quixote for help. Gamache challenges Don Quixote to a duel; he is defeated. Don Quixote blesses the young couple and everyone celebrates. Don Quixote sees another vision of Dulcinea and sets out again with the faithful Sancho by his side.
Key Themes:
- Dream Versus Reality: Don Quixote dreams of his perfect woman and being her champion, but the world he encounters is very different. Will he ever find his Dulcinea, the woman of his dreams?
- A Celebration of Love and Youth: At the heart of this comedy is the steadfast love between Kitri and Basilio and their youthful energy and determination to achieve their goal.
Notable Sections:
- Kitri’s Act I Variation: Featuring the iconic Kitri jumps, this variation is filled with energy and technically precise steps.
- Basilio’s Act I Variation: This variation is a series of virtuosic leaps and turns, showing off the dancer’s power and control.
- Act II Dream Sequence: A bit of a breather from all the comedy in the surrounding acts, this sequence is filled with fabulous corps de ballet patterns and more classical epaulement.
- Act III “The Wedding” Pas de Deux: A virtuosic finale, this pas de deux requires those dancing Kitri and Basilio to dig deep into their energy reserves. This showpiece features 32 fouettes, one-armed lifts, balances on pointe, flying jumps, and more.
What to Watch For:
- Classical Meets Flamenco: This ballet is a joyful fusion of classical steps and flamenco influence, including fan and cape work, castanets, and more. While perhaps a bit stereotypical by modern standards, the choreography has become beloved amongst balletomanes.
- The Kitri Jump: Also known as the Plisetskaya jump, this iconic step features the leaping ballerina kicking one leg behind her and bending her torso and arms back until her head almost touches her leg.
- Two Characters, One Dancer: Like in Swan Lake, where the dancer portraying Odette also plays Odile, Kitri and Dulcinea are typically danced by the same dancer. It’s an opportunity to flex a dancer’s acting skills, as Kitri is fiery and full of energy, and Dulcinea is elegant and regal.
Notable Performances:
Kitri and Basilio are such famous characters that it is almost impossible to name just a few of the incredible dancers who have taken on these roles. Maya Plisetskaya and Mathilde Kschessinska’s portrayals have become part of the iconic choreography (the Kitri Jump and the Fan Variation, respectively). Among contemporary dancers, Marianela Núñez, Natalia Osipova, Carlos Acosta, and Vladimir Vasiliev all have ardent admirers.
Upcoming Performances
Don Quixote
San Francisco Ballet
Mar 19–29
