Performing Arts: Ballet

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The most successful of all ballets created after Cervantes' story, Ludwig Minkus's Don Quixote was written in 1868. The original choreography was staged by Marius Petipa, one of the greatest choreographers in history.

Composer and violinist Ludwig Minkus (1826-1917), believed to be of Polish or Czech origin, was born in Vienna and spent most of his career in Moscow. In Russia, Minkus was an orchestral conductor for Prince Nikolai Yusupov's serf orchestra, violin soloist in the Moscow Bolshoi Orchestra, and violin teacher at the Moscow Conservatory. Minkus composed over twenty ballets, including Don Quixote, Roxanna, Camargo, Papillons, The Bandits, The Adventures of Peleas, La Bayadère, The Daughter of the Snows, The Magic Pills, Mlada, Kalkabrino, and Day and Night.

Marius Petipa (1819-1910), also an accomplished dancer, staged over sixty ballets and countless shorter dance works. He was born in Marseilles, France, and began his dance training at the age of seven with his father. Through Petipa's innovative productions, the Russian ballet received international acclaim.

Don Quixote premiered with the Imperial Ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow on December 14, 1869 and was extremely well-received. Due to its success, Minkus was awarded the title of Official Composer to the Imperial Russian Ballet, a position held previously by Italian Ceasare Pugni who composed music for more than 300 ballets. The original cast included Anna Sobeshenskaya (Kitri) and Sergei Sokolov (Basil).

The following is a summary of the ballet:

Prologue: Inspired by thoughts of Dulcinea, Don Quixote sets off on his adventures, accompanied by his servant Sancho Panza.

Act I: In a marketplace, Kitri expresses her love for Basilio, but her father Lorenzo is forcing her to marry the nobleman Gamache. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza arrive. Don Quixote notices Kitri and thinks she might be Dulcinea.

Act II: Don Quixote attempts to duel Gamache, but he is chased away. In Barcelona, Basilio has pretended to commit suicide and asks Lorenzo if he can marry Kitri. Once Lorenzo agrees to the marriage, Basilio stops acting as if he is dying and is reunited with Kitri. Near the windmills, Don Quixote is worshiping the Gypsy King and is mocked by other dancers. He then mistakes marionettes in a puppet show for soldiers and windmills for giants and attacks both.

Act III: Don Quixote decides to go to the woods to rest after his "battle" and falls asleep. He begins to dream that he is surrounded by incredible beings in Dulcinea's garden. In the garden, he fights a giant spider and encounters Dulcinea. When Don Quixote awakens, he sees the Duke and marches with him towards the Duke's castle.

Act IV: In honor of Don Quixote, a celebration is taking place at the Duke's castle. The "Knight of the Silver Moon" appears and challenges Don Quixote to a duel. He accepts the challenge and is defeated. The knight, who discloses himself as Don Quixote's old friend Carrasco, forces his friend to stay away from battles for at least a year. Although Don Quixote is disheartened, he concurs and departs for his home.