Ballet | Don Quixote Cultural Association Primo Ballerino

Don Quixote

This year Primo Ballerino will be doing the ballet Don Quixote, which tells a lively and humorous story set in Spain, inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ novel. Don Quixote is an aging nobleman who dreams of chivalry and adventure, travelling the countryside with his loyal squire, Sancho Panza, in search of noble deeds and his ideal woman, Dulcinea. At the heart of the ballet is the love story of Kitri, a strong-willed young woman, and Basilio, a clever and charming barber. Although they are deeply in love, Kitri’s father, Lorenzo, wants her to marry Gamache, a rich but foolish nobleman. Kitri strongly resists this plan and continues to meet Basilio in secret.

As the story unfolds, Kitri and Basilio run away together to escape Lorenzo’s control. During their journey, they encounter Don Quixote and his loyal companion Sancho Panza. Don Quixote vows to protect the young couple, leading to several comic misunderstandings and adventures. The travellers arrive at a traveller camp, where Don Quixote becomes involved in a dramatic scene with a windmill, which he mistakes for a giant. After being knocked unconscious, he dreams of a magical world filled with fairies and dryads, where Kitri appears as his ideal vision of Dulcinea.

Eventually, everyone returns to the town. In a final clever trick, Basilio pretends to take his own life when Lorenzo again refuses permission to marry Kitri. Moved by pity, Lorenzo agrees to the marriage, allowing Basilio to “come back to life.” The ballet ends with a joyful wedding celebration for Kitri and Basilio, bringing the story to a happy and festive conclusion.