Don Quixote

Lead Donor of the GNO

Production sponsor

The GNO Ballet launches the 2024/25 season with one of the most famous ballets of all time: Don Quixote by Ludwig Minkus, in the captivating production of Thiago Bordin, who creatively revives Marius Petipa’s classical choreography.

The sets are designed by acclaimed set designer George Souglides and the costumes by internationally acclaimed Greek fashion designer Mary Katrantzou. Responsible for the animation design is Eirini Vianelli, and Christos Tziogkas is in charge of the lighting.

Don Quixote is one of the most significant and most popular works in the classical ballet repertoire. Through Minkus’ unique music, the choreography tells an enduringly moving story about the high ideals of chivalry, combining comic and romantic elements.

Don Quixote is based on episodes from Miguel de Cervantes’ (1547-1616) famous novel of the same title, which was published in two volumes, in 1605 and 1615 respectively. The plot mainly draws upon the second volume, focusing on the turbulent romance between Quiteria –renamed as Kitri in the ballet– and barber Basilio.

Austrian composer Ludwig Minkus studied music in Vienna. Already at the age of twenty he played the violin, composed music, and conducted orchestras. A few years after emigrating to Russia, he was appointed inspector of the orchestras of the imperial theatres in Moscow. Marius Petipa travelled at a young age to Spain, where he was particularly enchanted by its traditional folk dances. In his Don Quixote, Petipa tries to convey the images and colours of Spain, exceptionally portraying its dance tradition through his choreography. The fruit of the collaboration between Minkus and Petipa was met with great success right from the beginning. As a result, Don Quixote was established as a timeless masterpiece in the world’s ballet repertoire.

As Thiago Bordin notes: “One can experience this story through the eyes of the main characters but also through the eyes of the villagers, toreadors, Gypsies, and nymphs. It is filled with pantomime and characteristic Spanish dances, and also features that classic dream sequence. I hope you all enjoy your evening at the ballet with this story, which for me has one main theme: love always wins in the end.”