Ballet in 3 acts

Libretto by Marius Petipa
Choreography by Marius Petipa and Aleksandr Gorsky
Revised version by Vladimir Vassiliev

Production Choreographer Vladimir Vassiliev (Russia)
Conductor Robertas Šervenikas
Set Designer Viktor Volsky (Russia)
Costume Designer Rafail Volsky (Russia)

Premiere: 29 December 1994

Vladimir Vassiliev: “How many people admired this ballet, enjoyed and laughed at its heroes’ adventures! How many critics were enraged by the alleged profanation of the great Cervantes’ work, and virtually smashed the music into smithereens...“

Be that as it may, Minkus’ Don Quixote is one of the public’s most favourite performances, not only at our theatre, but rather globally. Of course, it would be an idle labour to look for the depths of wisdom or mastery of artistic portrayal inherent in Cervantes’ original novel. However, there is no endeavour to reach such a dramatic scale in the ballet. Richly worked-out brilliant movements, tuneful and dashing music, full of Spanish flavour, arrestingly colourful choreography – all this makes for a splendid entertainment, which is always appealing to the audience, because of its romantic flair, somewhat naive, yet invincible belief in humanity and benevolence.
Performance running time: 2h 30min