Μ. PETIPA - L. MINKUS: DON QUIXOTE

The adventures of Cervantes’ bumbling knight have been the inspiration for many ballets, best-known of which is the Don Quixote of Marius Petipa with music by Ludwig Minkus. All the elements of the great classical ballets are here: emotion, drama and vivid characters. Royal Ballet Principal Guest Artist Carlos Acosta has danced the virtuoso role of Basilio many times. So it is especially exciting that he is creating this new production for The Royal Ballet, which will have designs by Tim Hatley, who will give a modern edge to a broadly traditional staging. The music is full of Spanish flair and atmosphere, with a characteristic clarity of melody and rhythm that makes it so instantly appealing – here arranged by Martin Yates, who also conducts. Don Quixote is a wonderfully entertaining ballet, known not only for its grand pas de deux, but for the ‘white act’ visions of the beautiful Dulcinea and many lively scenes – a crowded port, an uproarious tavern – that bring the whole
Company on stage.