History
This grand production of Don Quixote is full of virtuoso dancing and vibrant costumes and sets. Rudolf
Nureyev first choreographed this version in Vienna in 1966. The tale is based on the Marius PetipaGorksy production, which was familiar to him from his time spent at the Kirov Ballet. This lively version
has become one of Nureyev’s greatest successes.
The story of Don Quixote has traveled to The Opera House Stage from the year 1602 when
Miguel de Cervantes began writing the book. Cervantes wrote Don Quixote in two parts, published
respectively in 1605 and 1615, during an historic period known as the Spanish Golden Age. During
this time, Spain pursued military conquests in Europe and the Americas. This age brought great wealth
to Spain and allowed the arts to flourish. Regarded by many as the first true novel ever written, Don
Quixote was written as a parody on chivalry, a common theme during that period. Since then, Don
Quixote has been regarded as a literary masterpiece, influencing many writers and inspiring numerous
creations in various other genres, including opera, poetry, and ballet.
Boston Ballet by Gene Schiavone
Summary
Don Quixote tells the story of an unlikely hero - a poor country gentleman who goes mad from reading
too many novels and decides to put the world right by becoming a knight errant. But unlike the original
novel, the focus of this ballet is not on the gallant knight, but instead on the romance between two of
novel’s minor characters, Basilio and Kitri. The lovely Kitri is intent on marrying Basilio, a lowly barber,
despite her father’s wishes to marry her off to the wealthy Gamache. As their romance faces trials, Don
Quixote gallops alongside and provides his chivalrous assistance, all the while chasing his own illusions
of love.
SYNOPSIS
Prologue:
Don Quixote, a valiant and eccentric old gentleman, lies ill at his castle in Barcelona. He is surrounded
by dust-covered books, and has been reading tales of the gallant knight errant. He dreams of the Lady
Dulcinea, heroine of one of the stories, and in his delirium, vows to save her from her persecutors. His
neighbor, Sancho Panza, pursued by two market women who have been sent to fetch him home, interrupts the Don’s delusions. Don Quixote enlists him as his squire and together they set out on their chivalrous adventures.
ACT I:
At the port of Barcelona, the lovely Kitri seeks out her sweetheart, the gallant young barber Basilio. Their
happy meeting in the square is interrupted by Kitri’s father, the innkeeper Lorenzo, who tries to force her
into accepting the hand of Gamache, a nobleman. She refuses, and with Basilio, takes part in the festivities of the townsfolk. Their joyous dancing is broken up by the arrival of the Don and Sancho Panza. The
squire becomes the target of some horseplay by the villagers until his master rescues him. As Kitri dances
with Basilio, Don Quixote imagines her to be Dulcinea and invites her to be his partner. Gamache is
furious, but reluctantly joins with the crowd in supporting the Don’s hallucination. In the confusion that
follows, Kitri and Basilio run off to get married, with Lorenzo and Gamache in hot pursuit. Don Quixote
and Sancho Panza set out after them to right all the wrongs.
ACT II – Scene I:
Kitri and Basilio, seeking shelter in a windmill on the plain of Montiel, are captured by a troupe of gypsies
who discover the lovers have nothing worth stealing. Instead, they seize and rob Lorenzo and Gamache.
But with the sudden appearance of the Knight and his squire, they cooperate with Kitri and Basilio in a
plot to set the Don against their pursuers. Their plans are foiled when Don Quixote is distracted by the
windmills, which he takes for monsters and attacks with great courage – but unfortunate results. As the
gypsies laugh at his defeat, the lovers run off with Lorenzo and Gamache at their heels.
ACT II – Scene II:
Lying unconscious from his wounds, Don Quixote dreams he is in a magic garden where the Queen of
the Dryads brings the lovely Dulcinea to him. He declares his love for her. The dream fades and he sets
off once more to find his lady, with the help of Sancho Panza.
ACT III – Scene I:
Kitri, Basilio, and their friends arrive at a tavern where they celebrate their escape. Lorenzo and
Gamache appear, with Don Quixote and Sancho Panza close behind. Lorenzo is determined to marry his daughter to Gamache. In desperation, Kitri and Basilio decide to play one more trick on Don
Quixote. Basilio pretends to stab himself in jealous despair, and Kitri implores the Don for help. In his pursuit to right a wrong, the Knight forces Lorenzo to bless the young lovers before they are parted forever.
The indignant Gamache challenges the Don to a duel and is defeated.
ACT III – Scene II:
The lovers are united. As Don Quixote gives his blessing to Kitri and Basilio, he sees a vision of Dulcinea.
With Sancho Panza still at his side, Don Quixote valiantly sets out once more to perform deeds of chivalry
in Dulcinea’s service.
CHARACTER LIST
Don Quixote – a valiant and eccentric knight
Lady Dulcinea – Don Quixote’s mythical love
Sancho Panza – Don Quixote’s neighbor
Kitri – lovely young townswoman, Basilio’s sweetheart
Basilio – young barber, Kitri’s sweetheart
Lorenzo – Kitri’s father, an innkeeper
Gamache – a rich nobleman. Lorenzo wishes him to wed Kitri
Lorna Feijoo by Gene Schiavone
FUN FACTS
• During Cervantes’ time, Latin was a language used by people that were
highly educated. However, Cervantes didn’t write his novel in Latin; he wrote
it in Castellano which was the language of the common people.
• Cervantes made Don Quixote’s character very involved in reading
books and the fictional world, so much so that he became a character in his
own illusions and book.
Boston Ballet by Gene Schiavone
• Cervantes’ influence on the Spanish language cannot be underestimated,
in fact it is often called la lengua de Cervantes.
• At the time, the name Dulcinea meant “elegant sweetness.” To this day,
a reference to someone as one’s “Dulcinea” implies hopeless devotion and
unrequited love.
ACTIVITIES
I. Great books:
A major theme in Don Quixote is the fantastic versus the realistic.
Don Quixote is so involved in his stories of gallant knights and
adventure that he begins to confuse his dreams with reality!
1. Do you ever feel so interested in a book that the characters begin
to feel real?
2. What book made you feel this way?
3. Can you picture your favorite scene in a book you have read?
How vividly?
ACTIVITIES
II. Word Search:
Chivalry
Dream
Illusion
Bravery
Gypsy
Dryad
Don Quixote
Kitri
Basilio
Lorenzo
Gamache
Barcelona
Spain
Horse
Knights
E
ACTIVITIES
III. Color a Windmill
In Don Quixote’s delirious state, he mistakes the arms of a windmill for a monster.
In La Mancha, Castilla, you can still see some of the old windmills that Don Quixote might have found in his adventures. The phrase “Tilting at Windmills,” comes
from this memorable scene. The saying means attacking imaginary or non-existent
enemies. Color this picture of a windmill at home before or after the show.