Svetlana Zakharova as Kitri in the Entrance of Kitri from the Bolshoi Ballet's production of the Petipa/Gorsky/Minkus Don Quixote, Moscow, 2006

The ballet Don Quixote is based on the famous Miguel de Cervantes novel Don Quixote de la Mancha. Although there have been many ballet adaptations of the work, the most celebrated and enduring version was created by the choreographer Marius Petipa to the music of Léon Minkus, first presented on October 26, 1869 by the Ballet of the Moscow Imperial Bolshoi Theatre. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Don Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (IPA: in modern Spanish; September 29, 1547 – April 23, 1616) was a Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright. ... Statues of Don Quixote (left) and Sancho Panza (right) Don Quixote de la Mancha (IPA: ) is a novel by the Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. ... Maestro Marius Ivanovich Petipa, Maître de Ballet of the Imperial Theatres. ... Léon Minkus Léon Fedorovich Minkus (born Ludwig Aloisius Minkus March 23, 1826, Grossmeseritsch (Czech Velké Meziříčí), near Brünn (Czech Brno), Austria-Hungary - 1917, Vienna) was the most popular and performed Ballet Composer of the 19th century. ... October 26 is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1869 (MDCCCLXIX) is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... The Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow, Russia The Bolshoi Theatre (Russian: , Bolshoy Teatr, Large Theater) is a theatre and opera company in Moscow, Russia, which gives performances of ballet and opera. ...

Plot Outline

The plot is taken from Cervantes' novel of the same name.
It concerns the unsuccessful attempt by a rich man, Comacho (called Gamache in the ballet) to marry the beautiful Quiteria (Kitri), who in turn is in love with Basilio (Basil), a young man from her village.

History

The story was first adapted for the ballet in 1740 by Franz Hilverding in Vienna, Austria. Another version was mounted at the Paris Opéra in 1743 under the title Don Quichotte Chez la Duchesse to the music of Joseph Boismortier. In 1768 the great Balletmaster Jean Georges Noverre mounted a new version of Don Quixote in Vienna to the music of Josef Starzrin, a production which appears have been a revival of the original by Hilverding. Franz Hilverding (1710 - 1768) was an Austrian choreographer and dancer who first adapted Miguel Cervantess novel Don Quixote for ballet. ... This article is about the city and federal state in Austria. ... Jean-Georges Noverre (April 29, 1727–November 19, 1810) was a French dancer and ballet master, and is considered to be the creator of modern ballet. ...

The Paris Opéra presented a version of Don Quixote in 1743 under the title Don Quichotte Chez la Duchesse to the music of Joseph Boismortier. Don Quixote was also adapted into a ballet in Milan as Don Chisciotte at La Scala in 1783 by the Balletmaster Paolo Franchi to music by Angelo Tarchi. Franchi's version of the work served as the inspiration for yet another ballet adaption of Cervantes' tale, staged by Antoine Pitrot to music by Niccolo Zingarelli. The Ballet of the Paris Opéra gave another version of Don Quixote in 1801 under the title Gamache's Wedding, staged by Louis Jacques Milton. This article is about the city in Italy. ... The Teatro alla Scala in Milan, by night. ... Angelo Tarchi was an Italian 18th century composer whose works include: the opera, Ademira; the ballet, Don Quixote; and many others. ...

Charles Didelot, known today as the "father of Russian Ballet" staged a two act version of Don Quixote in St. Petersburg for the Imperial Ballet in 1808. In 1809 a version of the work was mounted at Her Majesty's Theatre by James Harvey D'Egville. Paul Taglioni (uncle of Marie Taglioni) presented his own version of Don Quixote for the Berlin Court Opera Ballet in 1839, and his uncle, Salvatore Taglioni set a production at the Teatro Regio, in Turin during the in 1843. Charles-Louis Didelot, portrait by Baranov (c. ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and... Carlotta Brianza and Paul Gerdt of the Imperial Ballet as Princess Aurora and Prince Desire in the 1890 premiere of the Sleeping Beauty. ... A perfomance at Opera House, Haymarket, predecessor of Her Majestys Theatre in circa 1808. ... Marie Taglioni, in a colored lithograph, circa 1831 (Victoria & Albert Museum). ... Staatsoper Unter den Linden, 2003 Berlin State Opera (in German: Staatsoper Unter den Linden) is a prominent German opera company. ... “Torino” redirects here. ...

The most famous and enduring ballet adaptation was created by the choreographer Marius Petipa, unrivaled Maître de Ballet of the Tsar's Imperial Ballet of St. Petersburg, and the composer Léon Minkus. By special commission, Petipa mounted the work for the Ballet of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. The production premiered on October 26, 1869 (old style 14 October) to great success. Principal dancers at the premiere were: Wilhelm Vanner (Don Quixote), Anna Sobeshchanskaya (Kitri), Sergei Sokilov (Basil), Polina Karpakova (Dulcinea), Vassily Geltser (Sancho Panza), Leon Espinosa (Harlequin), Dmitri Kuznetsov (Gamache).
Maestro Marius Ivanovich Petipa, Maître de Ballet of the Imperial Theatres. ... Tsar (Bulgarian, Serbian and Macedonian цар, Russian  , in scientific transliteration respectively car and car ), occasionally spelled Czar or Tzar and sometimes Csar or Zar in English, is a Slavonic term designating certain monarchs. ... Carlotta Brianza and Paul Gerdt of the Imperial Ballet as Princess Aurora and Prince Desire in the 1890 premiere of the Sleeping Beauty. ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and... Léon Minkus Léon Fedorovich Minkus (born Ludwig Aloisius Minkus March 23, 1826, Grossmeseritsch (Czech Velké Meziříčí), near Brünn (Czech Brno), Austria-Hungary - 1917, Vienna) was the most popular and performed Ballet Composer of the 19th century. ... The Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow, Russia The Bolshoi Theatre (Russian: , Bolshoy Teatr, Large Theater) is a theatre and opera company in Moscow, Russia, which gives performances of ballet and opera. ... Position of Moscow in Europe Coordinates: , Country District Subdivision Russia Central Federal District Federal City Government  - Mayor Yuriy Luzhkov Area  - City 1,081 km²  (417. ...

Petipa then restaged the ballet in a far more opulent and grandiose production for the St. Petersburg Imperial Ballet, premiering November 21, 1871 (old style 9 November). Principal dancers included: Alexandra Vergina (Kitri), Timofei Stukolkin (Don Quixote), Lev Ivanov (Basil). This new production consisted of five acts (eleven episodes, a prologue, and an epilogue), and used the same designs as the first production.
Marius Petipa, Circa 1890 Marius Petipa (11 March 1818 – 14 July 1910) - Unrivaled ballet master of the Tsars Imperial Ballet of St. ... Lev Ivanov (1834 – 1901) was a Russian ballet dancer and choreographer. ...

Alexander Gorsky revived the ballet for the Ballet of the Bolshoi Theatre in 1900, a production which replaced Petipa's 1871 original for the Imperial Ballet in 1902 when he staged it at the Maryinsky Theater in St. Petersburg. The cast was an eminent one: Kitri was danced by Mathilda Kshesinskaya, Basil by Nikolai Legat, Don Quixote by Aleksei Bulgakov, Sancho Panza by Enrico Cecchetti, and Gamache by Pavel Gerdt, with the roles of the Street Dancer, Amor, and Juanita taken by the young ballerinas Olga Preobrazhenskaya, Tamara Karsavina, and Anna Pavlova respectively. For his productions of 1900 and 1903 Gorsky interpolated new dances. For his 1900 production the composer Anton Simon scored new music — a variation for the Dryad Queen(a character which Gorsky created) and a dance for the Dryad Queens's mistresses, as well as an additonal Spanish dance for the last scene. When he staged the production in St. Petersburg in 1903, the composer Riccardo Drigo composed two new variations for Kschessinskaya — the famous Variation of Kitri with the fan for the ballet's final Pas de deux, and the Vatriation of Kitri as Dulcinea for the scene of Don Quixote's dream (these variations are still reatined in modern productions). Gorsky then interpolated the Grand pas des toreadors from Petipa's 1881 ballet Zoraiya, a piece which is still included in modern productions of Don Quixote. The Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow, Russia The Bolshoi Theatre (Russian: , Bolshoy Teatr, Large Theater) is a theatre and opera company in Moscow, Russia, which gives performances of ballet and opera. ... The Mariinsky Theatre of St. ... Nicholas Legat (also spelled Nikolai or Nicolai, 1869 - 1937) was a Russian Balletmaster. ... Enrico Cecchetti (born: 21 June 1850, Rome - died: 13 November 1928, Milan) was an Italian ballet dancer, founder of the Cecchetti method. ... Tamara Platonovna Karsavina (March 10, 1885 – May 26, 1978) was a famous Russian ballerina who eventually settled in England, where she helped found the Royal Academy of Dancing in 1920. ... Photographic postcard of Anna Pavlova as Aspicia in The Pharoahs Daughter, circa 1910 Anna Pavlova as Nikiya in the Grand Pas Classique of the Shades from Act III of La Bayadere, circa 1902 Anna Pavlova is also the name of an Olympic gymnast. ... Riccardo Drigo, Circa 1900 Riccardo Eugenio Drigo (June 30, 1846 - October 1, 1930) was an Italian composer and conductor who spent many years working with the Saint Petersburg Imperial Ballet and Imperial Opera. ... Pas de deux is also a dressage preformance using two horses. ... Zoraiya, the Moorish Girl in Spain (AKA Zoraiya) is a grand ballet in 4 acts/7 scenes, with choreography by Marius Petipa and music by Léon Minkus. ...

Paloma Herrera as Kitri in Mikhail Baryshnikov's production of the Petipa/Gorsky/Minkus Don Quixote. New York City, 2001

The ballet lived on in Russia well after the revolution of 1917, where as many other ballets ceased to be performed into the Soviet period. As a matter of fact, it became part of the permanent repertoire both of the Moscow Bolshoi Theatre (the most famous productions being those of Aleksandr Gorsky in 1906, and by Rostislav Zakharov and Kasyan Goleizovsky in 1940) and the Leningrad Kirov Theatre (which saw productions by Fedor Lopukhov in 1923, with new choreography for the fandango, and by Petr Gusev in 1946, with the scenario modified by Yuri Slonomsky and with new dances introduced by Nina Anisimova).
Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The October Revolution, also known as the Bolshevik Revolution, was the second phase of the Russian Revolution of 1917, the first having been instigated by the events around the February Revolution. ... Soviet redirects here. ... The Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow, Russia The Bolshoi Theatre (Russian: , Bolshoy Teatr, Large Theater) is a theatre and opera company in Moscow, Russia, which gives performances of ballet and opera. ... Rostislav Vladimirovich Zakharov (Russian: ; 1907–1984) was a Russian choreographer, dancer, ballet and opera director. ... View of the Mariinsky Theatre in the 1890ies The Mariinsky Theatre, known as the Kirov Opera and Ballet Theatre in 1934-92, is a historic theatre of opera and ballet in St Petersburg. ...

From Russia to the West

Don Quixote was brought to the West first by Anna Pavlova's company in 1924 in an abriged version, though the full-length work was not staged in the west for many years. The famous Grand Pas de Deux from the ballet was staged in the west as early as the 1940s, given first by the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. The first full-length production was mounted outside of Russia was presented by Ballet Rambert in 1962. In 1966 Rudolf Nureyev staged his version for the Vienna State Opera Ballet, with Minkus' score adapted by John Lanchbery. In 1973, Nureyev filmed his version with the Australian Ballet, and Robert Helpmann as Don Quixote. Mikhail Baryshnikov mounted his own version in 1980 for American Ballet Theatre, a production that has been staged by many companies. Today the ballet has been staged by many companies all over the world in many different versions, and is considered to be among the great classics of the ballet. Photographic postcard of Anna Pavlova as Aspicia in The Pharoahs Daughter, circa 1910 Anna Pavlova as Nikiya in the Grand Pas Classique of the Shades from Act III of La Bayadere, circa 1902 Anna Pavlova is also the name of an Olympic gymnast. ... Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo was an influential ballet company that existed from 1932 to 1963. ... The Ballet Rambert, now Rambert Dance Company, is a dance company founded in 1926 by Dame Marie Rambert at the Mercury Theatre in London, later moving to a base in Chiswick, West London. ... Rudolf Nureyev Rudolf Nureyev (Tatar form Rudolf Xämät ulı Nuriev, Russian Рудольф Хаметович Нуриев) (17 March 1938 – 6 January 1993), Tatar-born dancer, is regarded as one of the greatest male dancers of the 20th century, alongside Vaslav Nijinsky and Mikhail Baryshnikov. ... The Vienna State Opera Ballet, like the opera company, is based at the Vienna State Opera House in Vienna, Austria. ... John Lanchbery (May 15, 1923–February 27, 2003) was an English composer, famous for his ballet arrangements. ... Australian Ballet is a leading Ballet dance company in Australia. ... Sir Robert Helpmann (April 9, 1909 – September 28, 1986), Australian dancer, actor, director and choreographer, was born in Mount Gambier, South Australia. ... Alexandra Danilova and Mikhail Baryshnikov, 1976 Mikhail Nikolaevitch Baryshnikov (Russian: ) (born January 28, 1948) is a Russian dancer, choreographer, and actor. ... Angel Corella as Aminta in the 2006 production of Ashtons ballet Sylvia. ...

American choreographer George Balanchine famously created a modern version in 1965 for the New York City Ballet to the music of Nicolas Nabokov, with Balanchine himself appearing as Don Quixote and Suzanne Farrell as Dulcinea. This production had nothing to do with the Minkus version. It was only given until the mid 1970s, and then taken out of the repertory of the company. In 2005 it was reconstructed by Farrell for the company, and continues to be performed. George Balanchine (January 9 (O.S.) = January 22 (N.S.), 1904–April 30, 1983) was one of the 20th centurys foremost choreographers, and one of the founders of American ballet. ... 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ... Logo of the New York City Ballet The New York City Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein originally known as the American Ballet. ... Nicolas Nabokov (April 17, 1903 [O.S. April 4] – 6 April 1978), American composer, writer, and cultural figure, was born in Russia. ... Suzanne Farrell (born August 16, 1945) (real name Roberta Sue Ficker) was one of the most noted ballerinas of the 20th century, and was the most important dancer for the legendary choreographer George Balanchine. ... Farrell is a surname, from the Irish Farrell clan (Irish: Uí Fhearaile), and may refer to Andrew Farrell Bob Farrell Bobby Farrell Brian Farrell Brian D. Farrell, bioinformaticist and museum curator Charles Farrell (1901–1990), American actor Colin Farrell (b. ...

Analysis

Today Don Quixote is considered one of the most joyous and festive of the classical ballets, brimming with spectacular virtuoso dancing. At the same time this abundance of dancing is well organized, showing a clear choreographic and dramatic vision (particularly in the Kirov version).
Kirov can refer to: Sergey Kirov, Bolshevik revolutionary and Soviet communist The north-eastern European Russian city Kirov, center of Kirov Oblast The Soviet warship Kirov, now of the Russian Navy, lead ship of the Kirov class of battlecruisers. ...

A short prologue based on mime action is followed by an episode called A Square in Barcelona, in which classical choreography imitating the "Spanish Style" is predominant, with a sprinkling of character dances.
The second episode, The Gypsy Camp, comes as a sharp contrast- here pantomime and characters dancing reign supreme (although some 15 years ago this scene also contained a lyrical pas de deux for the two main characters).
The next episode, Dulcinea's Garden, is a purely classical one in which only female dancers appear. This is followed by A Tavern in Seville; once again, there is plenty of character dancing and acting- and traditionally, even the ballerina wears heeled shoes in the scene.
The final wedding celebration is an extended classical grand pas with the now famous pas de deux of the main characters.

The characters of the ballet do much more than just perform their numerous variations, however; they express their thoughts and emotions through dancing, and each character has his or her own idiosyncrasies which are expressed in the choreography itself.

Don Quixote is also distinguished by what can be called its democratic spirit: the only "noble cavalier" in the ballet is Gamache, and he is the butt of everyone's jokes and tricks. Don Quixote himself is treated with an increasing irony, friendly though it may be. By contrast, Kitri and Basil are heroes of the people; they belong to the crowd and the crowd interferes in their lives without any second thoughts.

Sources

Bremster, M. (ed.) 1993. "International Dictionary of Ballet" Detroit: St James Press
ISBN 1-55862-084-2 (Vol. 1 and 2)

External Links

• - Don Quixote choreography by Nureyev after Petipa