Don Quixote at Teatr Wielki - Opera Narodowa, Moniuszko Auditorium

A court ballet called ‘Don Quichotte’ was danced at the royal Louvre as early as 1614 (!). After that, themes from Cervantes’ work found a permanent place in ballet, with dozens of new arrangements being created over the next 400 years. A true sensation, however, came with the ballet by Marius Petipa to music by Ludwig Minkus (1869), because it continues to be staged to this day, refreshed and processed by successive generations of choreographers.

What is the source of its endurance and popularity? The picturesque scenery of old Spain, alluring Gypsy women and ornately dressed toreadors, the knight-errant of La Mancha, the comic Sancho Pansa and the clumsy Gamache are always popular. The main characters, Kitri and Basilio, are unparalleled in the classical repertoire as far as grace, temperament and dance virtuosity goes. Together this creates an exciting classical dance revue in the Spanish style.