Ludwig Minkus
Don Quixote

It is one of the most popular classical ballets – emotional, bright, flaming, and full of beautiful Spanish dances. Its plot is based on Cervantes’ immortal novel Don Quixote, with an addition of a necessary love line. Don Quixote, who has read too many knight novels, sets off for a journey for heroic deeds. Kitri, an innkeeper’s daughter, seems for him as beautiful Dulcinea. But Kitri is in love with Basilio, the barber. A number of funny adventures end with the wedding of Kitri and Basilio and with a meltdown of Don Quixote’s absurd dreams.

Natalia Kasatkina and Vladimir Vasilyov created an original version of the famous ballet, introducing new comic characters (Bachelor of Arts Carrasko, Don Quixote’s niece Antonina), who play the role of Rocinante instead of the usual real horse. Also they invented a masterful part for Gamache. All this made the ballet more lively, added action, and enriched its drama.