Music by Ludwig Minkus
Choreography after Marius Petipa and Alexander Gorsky
Staged by Kevin McKenzie and Susan Jones
Written by Miguel de Cervantes
14:30 Nov. 14 19:30 Nov. 14 14:30 Nov. 15 19:30 Nov. 15
Kitri Gillian Murphy* Paloma Herrera* Xiomara Reyes* Michele Wiles*
Basilio David Hallberg* Angel Corella* Herman Cornejo* Cory Stearns
Mercedes Veronika Part* Kristi Boone Kristi Boone Veronika Part*
Espada Marcelo Gomes* Jared Matthews Jared Matthews Gennadi Savelive
Corps de balle Company Company Company Company
* for Principal Dancer
This present production of Don Quixote received its American Ballet Theatre Company Premiere at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York on June 12, 1995, danced by Paloma Herrera (Kitri) and Julio Bocca (Basilio).
Gillian Murphy and Ethan Stiefel in Don Quixote (photographed by Rosalie O'Connor)
The ballet version of Don Quixote is adapted from Don Quijote de la Mancha, a world-famous book written by the great Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes. Composed by Ludwig Minkus, the quasi successor of Tchaikovsky, and choreographed by the great dancer Marius Petipa, it is considered a real classic of ballet in the 19th Century. It is also the repertory of major international ballet companies.
Just like the Swan Lake performed by the Mariinsky Theatre, the Don Quixote presented by the American Ballet Theater is always the first choice of ballet lovers for video collection. For this time, a new Don Quixote adapted in 1995 by the Theatre's Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie will be put on stage – an even better enjoyment for the audience!
The new adaption restores the grand scenes, rich colors and sophisticated ballet skills of Don Quixote against a unique American cultural background. In the mean time, it adds a lot of Spanish actions and gestures, hot and exciting, as well as continues the fantastical humors in the original work, so that the entire ballet is steeped in Spanish-style flavor of life and pleasure.
In terms of ballet dance, Don Quixote is full of glaring skills. Among all the amazing dance scenes, several Spanish-style pas de deux and symphonic group dances catch most attention. They are often performed in ballet galas, and have been selected into quite a number of international dance competitions.
Synopsis
Prologue
Driven by the vision of Dulcinea, the tarnished, yet inspired, Don Quixote begins his adventures with his trusty squire Sancho Panza in tow.
ACT I: Sevilla
Kitri, Lorenzo's daughter, is in love with Basilio. Much to her chagrin, she learns of her father's plans to marry her to Gamache, a foppish nobleman. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza enter the village, causing great commotion. Noticing Kitri, Don Quixote wonders if he has, at last, found his Dulcinea. At the height of merriment, Kitri and Basilio, aided by their friends, Espada and Mercedes, sneak off followed by Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Gamache and Lorenzo attempt to pursue the young couple.
ACT II
Scene 1: Gypsy Camp
Don Quixote and Sancho Panza discover the fleeing couple in a friendly gypsy camp. All are inspired by the romance of the night. As the vision of Dulcinea appears to him, Don Quixote realizes Kitri is not his "ideal", but indeed belongs with Basilio. Suddenly the wind gains momentum. Don Quixote foolishly attacks a windmill, believing it to be a giant threatening Dulcinea's safety. Failing miserably, he collapses into a deep sleep.
Scene 2: The Dream
Don Quixote has an enchanted dream of beautiful maidens in which the image of Kitri symbolizes his Dulcinea.
Scene 3: Sunrise
Lorenzo and Gamache interrupt Don Quixote's dream. Sympathetic to the plight of the young lovers, Don Quixote attempts to lead Lorenzo and Gamache astray.
ACT II
Scene 4: A Tavern
Finally discovered, Kitri is forced by Lorenzo to accept the attentions of Gamache. The thwarted Basilio commits "suicide". Upon learning of the farce, Kitri implores Don Quixote to persuade Lorenzo to wed her to the "corpse". Instantly Basilio comes to "life"! Triumphantly, Kitri leaves to prepare for marriage while Don Quixote and Basilio salute Lorenzo and Gamache for stoically accepting the inevitable.
ACT III: The Wedding
The village celebrates the marriage. Don Quixote congratulates the couple, bids them a warm "farewell", and resumes his ever-lasting adventures.
Gillian Murphy and Ethan Stiefel in Don Quixote (photographed by Rosalie O'Connor)
American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre (ABT), one of the foremost ballet companies in the world today, has a galaxy of world-class dancers as well as a wide-ranging and classic repertoire, earning it the title of "the Museum of Ballet". ABT was founded to be a truly American style ballet company and its successful establishment ushered in a new era in the history of ballet. Today, it is world-renowned for its unique American style that transcends cultural boundaries. Frequenting the best theaters in the U.S. including Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, ABT has actually become the national ballet of America.
One outstanding feature of ABT is that all the ballets it has performed are choreographed in a way that combines the traditional and contemporary elements of ballet. Moreover, in its pursuit to be one of the top ballets in the world, ABT has successfully attracted a good many preeminent ballet dancers from around the world to be its guest dancers, making it a salon for ballet masters. It is in this way that ABT holds on to its American style and keeps open to the world in the mean time.
It is the first time ABT has been to Beijing. During the four-day visit, it will present six performances at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) which are bound to touch the soul of ballet lovers.
More from ABT Contemporary Ballet Collection Asia Premiere
Media Review American Ballet Theatre Announces Beijing Tour
Steps to perfection—American Ballet Theater here for the classic, contemporary |
