Don Quixote

1869, Moscow

Choreography: Marius Petipa

Music: Ludwig Minkus

There are several versions of this ballet, based on a Spanish novel by Cervantes. Don Quixote is an old man bewitched by tales of knights in shining armor, who searches for similar adventures of his own. In the Petipa ballet, the main characters are the young lovers Basilio and Kitri, who live in Barcelona. Kitri is being forced by her father to mary the rich Gamache. Don Quixote arrives at her father's inn, sees that Kitri is unhappy, and challanges Gamache to a duel-but the would-be knight is chased away. Basilio pretends he is dying, and begs Kitri's father to take pitty and grant him permission to marry her-his wish is granted. During the wedding celebrations, Basilio and Kitri perform a grand pas de duex, in Spanish style, and the ever-hopeful Don Quixote departs for further adventures.