Inspired by the choreography of Marius Petipa, Rudolf Nureyev’s Don Quixote is a veritable festival of dance, displaying the excellence of the soloists and the Corps de Ballet in a wide variety of ensembles and pas de deux. At the heart of the ballet, the lovers Kitri and Basilio use every ruse, from puppet shows to fake suicide, to see each other despite Kitri’s father’s opposition. Ultimately, after battling with windmills and encountering Cupid, Dulcinea and the Queen of the Dryads, it is the Chevalier de la Mancha who brings about the happy end. Flamboyant costumes with a Spanish air contribute to the brilliance of this joyful work.

Libretto - Miguel de Cervantès

Music - Ludwig Minkus; Arrangements : John Lanchbery

Choreography - Rudolf Noureev; After Marius Petipa

Set design - Alexandre Beliaev

Costume design - Elena Rivkina

Lighting design - Philippe Albaric

Conductor - Valery Ovsyanikov