The Russian Ballet Theatre – Don Quixote

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Don Quixote/Photo: Mark Ulitz

The Russian Ballet Theatre (St. Petersburg State Ballet) returns to Israel with Don Quixote, one of the great classical ballets, based on the novel Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes. Performing in the lead roles will be Prima Ballerina Anna Voytin and Premiere Alexander Voytin. Performances will take place in Tel Aviv, Beer Sheva, and Haifa. Opening on April 12, 2017 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center/Israeli Opera.

Don Quixote/Photo: Mark Ulitz

Don Quixote, the gentleman with a passion for reading romances, and visions of chivalry and courage, and his adventures have seen many interpretations and adaptations over the years. The ballet was originally choreographed by Marius Petipas, set to music by Ludwig Minkus. This first version premiered in 1869, and was later expanded by Petipas to a five-act ballet, with some changes introduced in the 1900 revival by choreographer Alexander Gorsky.  This production, in three acts, presents Don Quixote in the original choreography by Gorsky-Petipas.

The first act opens with a prologue: Don Quixote, having read chivalrous romances, decides to become a knight and fight for justice. His loyal servant, Sancho Panza attempts to dissuade him, claiming that it is insane, but Quixote persists. The first scene takes place in a square in Barcelona. The beautiful innkeeper’s daughter Kitri is in love with Basilio, but Lorenzo, her father, does not approve of the match. He wants her to wed the wealthy Gamache. Toreadors enter the square, and eye the pretty girls. Then Don Quixote arrives, and Lorenzo invites him into the inn. Quixote is taken with Kitri, who reminds him of his beloved Dulcinea. When Lorenzo tries to stop Kitri and Basilio from running away, Don Quixote stands in his way.

Don Quixote/Photo: Mark Ulitz

In the second scene, Basilio and Kitri are staying in a Gypsy camp, when Don Quixote and Sancho Panza appear. Quixote attacks a windmill, which he sees as a threatening giant. Sancho tries to calm his master and send him to sleep. In the third scene, Don Quixote dreams that he saves Dulcinea (who is in the guise of Kitri) and leads her to an enchanted forest. Kitri-Dulcinea and the leader of the Dryads dance before Quixote. Morning comes to the gypsy camp in the fourth scene. Lorenzo and Gamache have continued their search for Kitri and arrive at the camp, intending to wed her to Gamache on the spot. Suddenly, an angry Basilio appears. He accuses Kitri of betraying him, and stages a public suicide. Don Quixote demands that Lorenzo bless his daughter, now mourning her (apparently) dead lover. Lorenzo does so, and Basilio miraculously revives. Now nothing can stand in the way of the young lovers.

The third and final act begins with a prologue: Lorenzo prepares a wedding feast for Kitri and Basilio. However, he does not have enough funds to provide the wine, and asks Gamache to help. When the latter refuses, Don Quixote saves the day. The fifth and final scene finds the happy lovers Kitri and Basilio united forever, surrounded by all the wedding guests. Don Quixote looks forward to new adventures, and sets out with Sancho Panza, as everyone bids them farewell.

Performances:

Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center (TAPAC) – Israeli Opera

Wednesday, April 12th at 20:00; Thursday, April 13th at 20:00, Friday, April 14th at 12:00, Saturday, April 15th at 21:00.

Tickets may be ordered from TAPAC, call: 03-6927777.

Beer Sheva – Performing Arts Center

Monday, April 17th at 20:00.

Haifa, Rappaport Auditorium.

Tuesday, April 18th at 20:00.

Ticket prices range from 164 NIS – 324 NIS. Tickets for all performances may be purchased from Bravo! online via this link.