The Kasatkina and Vasilov State Academic Classical Ballet Theatre
Ballet in 3 acts and 6 scenes with prologue
Libretto and staging: N.Kasatkina, V.Vasilev
Choreographers: Marius Petipa, Alexander Gorsky, Nataliya Kasatkina, Vladimir Vasilyov
Designers: Lev Solodovnikov, Elizaveta Dvorkina
The Orchestra of the Novaya Opera Theatre
Conductors: Valery Kritskov, Evgeny Samoilov
It’s hard to say, who is luckier – the great Cervantes’s novel, since ballet men of genious were often enchanted by it, or the ballet itself, having found in the novel a wonderful plot. But the audience and dancers are surely lucky for their permanent festival. Blue sky and magic forests, charming women’s smiles and passionate men’s looks, purple toreros’ amulets and black women’s fans, menuettes and seguidillas are combined in “Don Kishot” and give us a vivid understanding both of Spain and classical ballet.
"Don Kishot" was staged by M.Petipa in 1869 for the first time. A novel about Kitri and Basilio was in the plot. Don Kishot himself plays the secondary part in the ballet and doesn’t dance.
This merry and simple performance is the only ancient classical ballet that was born in the Bolshoi theatre. Olga Lepeshinskaya and Asaf Messerer, Maya Plisetskaya and Gennady Ledyah, Ekaterina Maksimova and Vladimir Vasiliev, Lyudmila Semenyaka and Alexander Godunov stared in it.
The summary of the ballet
Prologue
Don Kishot is busy reading knights’ novels. He can’t take himself from the book even when Basil the barber works with his hair. Unusual characters from the books become real in his imagination. Even the tavern owner’s daughter, beautiful Kitri, Basil’s beloved girl, gets the shape of a wicked magician. But, having seen the girl’s charming face, Don Kishot takes her for his Dame of Heart, his Dulsinea. Accompanied by Anthonine, Don Kishot’s nephew, and barchelor Karrasco, Sancho Panza appears. They blame Sancho for his irrepressible appetite. He has eaten Don Kishot’s dinner. But Don Kishot takes Sancho under his patronage making him his squire. Anthonine’s and Karrasco’s attempt to persuade Don Kishot to give up the idea, about far-off travellings in the knight novels heroes’ manner. So, they decide not to leave the dreamer in his wanderings. They put on Don Kishot’s old patched blanket and turn into a funny obedient horse. Sancho helps Don Kishot get on the horse and the travel begins.
Act One
Scene One
A merry people’s holiday takes place on one of Barcelona’s squares. Everybody dances. Kitri and Basil are here too. But they can’t hide from the girl’s father – tavern owner Lorenzo. He dreams of marrying his daughter to a rich nobleman Gamash. But Kitri fiercely refuses to obey her father. The holiday goes on. Toreros dance and famous Espada is at their head. Don Kishot’s appearance on the back of “Rosinanth” (you remember, the horse is played by Anthonine and Karrasco) puts an end to dances. Don Kishot takes Lorenzo for the owner of the castle. He sees Kitri and recognizes his Dulsinea in her. But Kitri manages to run away with Basil. Kitri’s father, Gamash and Don Kishot on the back of “Rosinanth” together with Sancho Panza, the squire, start to search them.
Act Two
Scene Two
Trying to escape from Lorenzo and Gamash Kitri and Basil run through a meadow near the mills, where a Gypsy band camps. Don Kishot takes the mills for wicked magicians and desires to battle with them. Sancho, Anthonine and Karrasco try to stop him, but in vain. Catching the mill’s wing, Don Kishot flies up, falls down heavily and falls asleep.
Scene Three
In his dream Don Kishot sees the forest full of magical creatures. He sees his Dulsinea rounded by driads and amours.
Scene Four
The sound of hunters’ horn is heard in the forest. It’s the Duke with his suite. Sancho throws himself to his feet and begs to help Don Kishot, who is overwhelmed with sick dreams. Karrasco and Anthonine help the knight to his feet and all of them leave.
Scene Five
Kitri and Basil find shelter in a tavern. It’s a favourite sailors’, pirates’ and their girl-friends’ place. A beautiful Mercedes is among the visitors. She is jealous to Espada and his new girl-friend Karmensita. But lovers make peace and all the visitors make fun with sailors, dancing dzhiga. Mirth is interrupted by Don Kishot’s, Kitri’s father and Gamash’s appearance. Tavern owner wants to announce his daughter’s and Gamash’s engagement. Kitri persuades Basil to play suicide. Kitri cries unnaturally. Don Kishot blames tavern owner in cruelty and threatens him with weapon, makes him agree with his daughter’s and the barber’s marriage. Basil gets up quickly – he has no reason to pretend dying. Lovers thank Don Kishot for help. Kitri, Basil and their friends are happy. Suddenly the Duke’s herald appears. The Duke invites everybody to his palace, waiting for a funny entertainment.
Act Three
Scene Six
The Duke’s palace. Everything is ready for a festive. Anthonine, Don Kishot’s nephew is to play Dulsinea and Karrasco – the part of an unknown knight, Don Kishot’s rival. Espada and his beloved dance at the party. Kitri and Basil have their long-awaited wedding. Don Kishot’s and “the unknown knight’s’ duel end badly. Don Kishot falls down, catching his heels. “The unknown knight” takes Dulsinea away. Now these two actors hope to cure Don Kishot from his sick dreams. But this hard way has made them happy – Anthonine and Karrasco fall in love with each other. The Duke gives the sign go continue the party, but there is no place for Don Kishot at it. Lonely and sad, he goes away with Sancho Panza. His faithful “Rosinanth” is with him too. Anthonine and Karrasco put on the old blanked as usual. They stay faithful to this old strange man and noble dreamer.
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