Ludwig Minkus
Ballet
Libretto by Marius Petipa, based on the plot of Miguel de Cervantes’s novel. Choreography by Marius Petipa and Alexander Gorsky. World premiere: 14 December 1869, Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow (choreography by Marius Petipa).
Ballet in 2 acts (5 scenes) with a prologue
Premiere at the Mariinsky Theatre: 20 January 1902 (Alexander Gorsky’s version)
At the Astana Opera House, the premiere took place on 25-26 November 2016
Prologue
Having read some tales of chivalry, Don Quixote decides to set off in search of adventures and makes his servant Sancho Panza his squire.
ACT 1
Scene 1
In front of an inn in Barcelona, a merrymaking crowd has gathered. Kitri, the lively daughter of an innkeeper, and her lover Basilio, the barber, are also here. Lorenzo does not want any penniless suitors. Gamache, a rich nobleman, who wants to marry Kitri, is more to his liking.
The crowd cheers a street dancer and the toreador Espada. People are struck with astonishment, as the knight Don Quixote appears. The traveller is offered to partake of some refreshment. The girls play tricks on the fat Sancho Panza. Don Quixote sees Kitri and is struck by her beauty. Was it her who haunted his dreams in the image of beautiful Dulcinea?
Scene 2
Having fled from Lorenzo and Gamache, the two lovers, Kitri and Basilio, wander into a gypsy camp. Soon Don Quixote approaches the camp too. Don Quixote thinks that danger overhangs him and attacks the windmill.
Scene 3
Don Quixote is tormented by a nightmare. He is in the Kingdom of the Dryads. Among them is Kitri, who is in the image of Dulcinea.
ACT 2
Scene 1
Young people are merrymaking and dancing in the inn. Kitri and Basilio are among them. Finally, Lorenzo ran the lovers down. Gamache is determined to marry Kitri. Basilio, on seeing this, pretends to kill himself. Kitri begs Don Quixote to persuade Lorenzo so that he grant Basilio’s dying wish and bless their love. Once Lorenzo blesses the lovers, Basilio ‘revives’.
Scene 2
Kitri and Basilio´s wedding. Don Quixote is the guest of honour. The noble knight wishes the newlyweds happiness and sets off in search of new heroic deeds.