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Don Quixote

In autumn 1869 the famous dancer of Moscow Bolshoi Theatre Ana Sobeshanskaia was preparing for her benefit performance. To organize the celebration the theatre's management invited Marius Petipa from St. Petersburg, who decided to dedicate the new production to the ballerina.

The reason for such a decision is not known, especially as Ana Sobeshianskaia was not at the peak of her career at that time. Some speculations say it was due to the 16-year-old dancer of the corpse de ballet Liubov Savitskaia, who became the choreographer's spouse in three years time.

The first night of Marius Petipa's new ballet Don Quixote (to the music of Czech composer Ludvig Minkus after the same title novel by Cervantes) was on December 14, 1869. The leading parts were performed by Ana Sobeshanskaia and Sergei Sokolov.

Those expecting a thorough dramatic ballet by Petipa were disappointed. Instead of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza the leading characters were Kitri (Quiteria) and Basilio (Basil), the ordinary characters of the novel.

The production was a display of affection for Spanish dance and was construed with a lot of national dance elements.

After two years of successful performances at Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre the balletmaster decided to stage Don Quixote at St. Petersburg that necessitated its remounting. The composer added the fifth, classical act, since the capital was more in favor of classical style. This is exactly the format the ballet became known as classical masterpiece.

In 1900 Alexander Gorski stages the new production of Don Quixote in Bolshoi Theatre. The costumes and scenery for the pay were designed by then famous Konstantin Korovin and Alexander Golovin Since then the play has been remounted for number of times: by Rostislav Zakharov in 1940; by Mikhail Gabovich and Kassian Goleizovski in 1942; and by Iuri Grigorovich in 1994.Currently the Moscow Bolshoi Theatre stages renewed classical version of Don Quixote (choreography by Alexei Fadeechev).

Vakhtang Chabukiani staged Don Quixote for the first time in Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre in 1932. He was visiting Tbilisi then and had only several days available for production of the ballet. He himself performed as Basil, while Kitri was performed by then young ballerina of Leningrad Opera Theatre Tatiana Vecheslova. Initially just two performances were scheduled, but the production was so successful that the management was forced to postpone the closing of the season and conduct 10 performances within 20 days.After his complete return to Georgia Vakhtang Chabukiani staged a new, original version of Don Quixote on April 22, 1943. This version was renewed in 1963 and was performed on Tbilisi stage until recently.

During the 60 years of Don Quixote on the stage of Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre the leading parts were performed by various artists: Vera Tsignadze, Eugenia Gelovani, Ketevan Nadareishvili, Liliana Mitaishvili, Irina Jandieri, Natela Papinashvili, Marina Alexidze, Svetlana Gochiashvili, Ala Abesadze, Larisa Chkhikvishvili, Lilia Armeiskaia, Maya Zurashvili, Lali Kandelaki, Ekaterine Bezirgan, Tsicia Cholokashvili, Ana Muradeli danced Kitri; Vakhtang Chabukiani, Zurab Kikaleishvili, Revaz Magalashvili, Bekar Monavardisashvili, Vakhtang Gunashvili, Valeri Abuladze, Vladimer Julukhadze, Nukri Magalashvili, Nugzar Makhateli, Valeri Mazepchik, Vasil Akhmeteli, Irakli Bakhtadze, David Khozashvili, Eduard Bablidze, Lasha Khozashvili performed in Basil.

Synopsis

ACT I
A holiday crowd is gathered on one of the squares of Barcelona. Kitri, the inn-keeper's daughter enters the crowd accompanied by her friends. A young barber Basil flirts with Kitri that irritates the inn-keeper Lorenzo who tries to force her to marry Gamache, an old but rich nobleman. He forbids Kitri ever to meet Basil.

The townsfolk take part in festivities. The toreadors and the street dancer Lucia are dancing. At this moment Don Quixote the knight enchanted by the tales of chivalry and Sancho Panza his faithful squire enter the scene. Lorenzo offers the old knight hospitality at his inn. Sancho Panza stays outside and suffers some rough teasing from the crowd until his master rescues him.

To save herself from the marriage with Gamache Kitri runs away with Basil. Lorenzo and Gamache set out in pursuit, followed by Don Quixote with his squire, all of whom are bent on setting wrongs to right.

ACT II
Scene 1
A gypsy camp is located under a windmill, a puppet-theatre is also there. Don Quixote, Sancho Panza, Lorenzo and Gamache arrive. The gypsy baron treats the guests with gypsy dances and invites them to see the puppet show. Don Quixote, exited by the show, forgets that he is in the theatre, destroys the stage, discards the puppets, takes the windmill for evil wizard, starts to fight with it and entangled in its sail and is hurled to the ground.

Scene 2
Sancho Panza, Lorenzo and Gamache leave injured Don Quixote at the forest edge and go to summon some help. Exhausted Don Quixote falls asleep and dreams of Dulcinea (the lady of his visions) surrounded by the Dryads.

When Sancho Panza, Lorenzo and Gamache return they find Don Quixote recovered and they continue the pursuit together.

Scene 3
Kitri and Basil find the shelter in the tavern, Mercedes and Espada dance in their favor. Lorenzo, Gamache, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza also arrive. The friends hide Kitri but Gamache discovers her. Lorenzo demands Kitri to marry Gamache. Basil, in conspireation with Kitri, fakes his suicide. Kitri is mourning her beloved one. Don Quixote dedicated to righting the wrong, accuses Lorenzo in cruelty and forces him to give the parental blessing to Basil and Kitri. Lorenzo can not dare to refuse. Basil makes a "miraculous recovery" and everybody is happy except Gamache.

ACT III
There is a preparation for weeding on the square. Lorenzo, his wife and little cooks are getting ready for the reception. Gamache though offended is also invited; he is looking for a new bride. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza are escorted to a place of honor. The festivity continues. Kitri and Basil perform the wedding dance in honor of the guests. Don Quixote bids farewell to his hosts and sets out to pursue his quest.