Thunderous applause for Don Quixote’s premiere > One extra performance scheduled for 4 January at 18.30, due to ticket sellout

Don Quixote was successfully launched by the Ballet of the Greek National Opera in a packed Stavros Niarchos Hall at the SNFCC, on Thursday, 5 December 2024. As all tickets for the eight performances are sold out prior to the premiere, the Greek National Opera announces one extra performance on Saturday, 4 January 2025, at 18.30. Tickets for the additional performance will be released on Saturday 7 December 2024 at 9.00 and will be available at the GNO Box Office and www.ticketservices.gr.

The 2024/25 season for the GNO Ballet opened yesterday evening with the revival of Ludwig Minkus’ classical piece Don Quixote. The choreography, based on Petipa’s classical version, carries the signature of distinguished Brazilian dancer and choreographer Thiago Bordin. Alongside him, a team of exceptional artists created a production of high aesthetics. The sets were created by international set designer George Souglides and the costumes were designed by world-class fashion designer Mary Katrantzou. Eirini Vianelli was responsible for the animations and Christos Tziogkas for the lighting design.

The GNO Orchestra was conducted by Stathis Soulis.

Guest dancers Madison Young and Victor Caixeta delivered exceptional performances as Kitri and Basilio in the premiere. The GNO Ballet Principal Dancers Vangelis Bikos and Eleana Andreoudi left a lasting impression in the roles of Espada and Mercedes. Complementing the high-quality performances were the soloists, demi-soloists, and the Corps de ballet of the GNO, together with students from the GNO Professional Dance School.

Don Quixote, one of the most important and popular works in the classical ballet repertoire, is based on episodes drawn from the renowned novel of the same title written by Miguel de Cervantes. It is also one of the most demanding ballets in the repertoire and is considered a major challenge for classical ballet dancers due to its high level of technical difficulty – the manner in which it is performed reveals the standing of a ballet company as a whole.

Guided by the singular music of Minkus, the choreography tells a story imbued with the lofty ideals of knighthood and chivalry, and never fails to touch audiences thanks to its skillful mix of comedy and romance.

GNO Ballet • Revival

Don Quixote

Thiago Bordin, Marius Petipa / Ludwig Minkus

5, 7, 8, 15, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 December 2024 & 4 January 2025

Starts at: 19.30 (Sunday, Christmas Eve & 4/1: 18.30)

Stavros Niarchos Hall of the Greek National Opera

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

Choreography: Thiago Bordin, based on the classical choreography by Marius Petipa

Conductor: Stathis Soulis

Sets: George Souglides

Costumes: Mary Katrantzou

Lighting: Christos Tziogkas

Animation: Eirini Vianelli

Kitri:

Madison Young (5, 7 & 8/12)

Ksenia Ovsyanick (15, 20 & 22/12)

Rachele Buriassi (24, 26 & 28/12)

Marta Rivero de Miranda (4/1)

Basilio:

Victor Caixeta (5, 7 & 8/12)

Osiel Gouneo (15, 20 & 22/12)

Esnel Ramos (24, 26 & 28/12)

Yorgos Hatzopoulos (4/1)

Mercedes: Eleana Andreoudi / Christina Makridou / Marta Rivero de Miranda

Espada:  Vangelis Bikos / Danilo Zeka / Yannis Mitrakis

Don Quixote: Thanassis Solomos

Sancho Panza: Hector Bollano / Florian-Michalis Pappas

Dulcinea: Mania Karavassili

Gamache: Antonis Koruti

Flower girls: Elena Kekkou / Christina Makridou
Ariadni Filippaki / Anna Frangou

Boris: Igor Siadzko / Yannis Gantsios / Stefano Pietragalla

Carmencita: Popi Sakellaropoulou / Anna Frangou / Magda Koukou-Ferra

Queen of the Dryads: Olga Markari, Ariadni Filippaki

Cupid: Areti Noti / Zoi Schoinoplokaki

Featuring the Orchestra, Ballet and students from the Professional Dance School of the GNO 

Ticket prices: €15, €20, €30, €35, €42, €50, €60, €70 • Students, children: €12 • Restricted view seats: €10

All tickets for the first eight performances are sold out. 

Tickets for the additional performance on the 4th of January 2025 will be released on Saturday 7 December 2024 at 9.00 and will be available at the GNO Box Office (9.00-21.00 daily | 2130885700) & online at www.ticketservices.gr