Don Quixote

PROLOGUE

Don Quixote, a valiant and eccentric old gentleman, lies ill at his castle in Barcelona surrounded by dust-covered books in which he has been reading tales of the gallant knight-errant. He dreams of the Lady Dulcinea, heroine of one of the stories, and in his delirium, vows to save her from her persecutors. His neighbor, Sancho Panza, interrupts Don’s delusions. Don Quixote enlists him as his squire and together they set out on their chivalrous adventure.

ACT I • THE PORT

At the port of Barcelona, the lovely Kitri seeks out her sweetheart, the gallant young barber Basilio. Their happy meeting in the square is interrupted by her father, the innkeeper Lorenzo, who tries to force her into accepting Gamache, a rich nobleman. She refuses and with Basilio takes part in the festivities of the town folk. The joyful
dancing is broken by the arrival of the Don and Sancho Panza, who becomes the target of some horseplay by the villagers until his master rescues him. As Kitri dances with Basilio, Don Quixote imagines her to be Dulcinea and invites her to be his partner. Gamache is furious, but reluctantly joins with the crowd in supporting the Don’s hallucination. In the confusion that follows, Kitri and Basilio run off to get married with Lorenzo and Gamache in hot pursuit. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza set out after them to right all the wrongs.

ACT II, SCENE I • THE GYPSY CAMP

The lovers, seeking shelter in a windmill on the plain on Montiel, are interrupted by a troupe of Gypsies. The Gypsies offer shelter to the fleeing Kitri and Basilio. Don Quixote arrives looking for Dulcinea. The Gypsies entertain their visitors with a puppet show that mirrors the lovers’ predicaments. The Don, confusing reality and imagination, thinks his Dulcinea is in danger, attacks a windmill and sees a vision of Dulcinea. He falls down in exhaustion and defeat.

ACT II, SCENE II • THE VISION

As Don Quixote dreams, Cupid takes him to a magic garden where the Queen of the Dryads brings a grateful Dulcinea to him. He declares his love for her. The dream fades and the following morning the Don is awakened by Sancho Panza, who has returned to his bewildered master. Lorenzo, Gamache and the villagers arrive in pursuit of the missing lovers. The Don sets off once more to find his lady with his faithful squire by his side.

ACT III, SCENE I • THE TAVERN

Kitri, Basilio, and their friends are celebrating their escape in a tavern. Lorenzo, Gamache, Don Quixote, and Sancho Panza arrive. Lorenzo is determined to marry his daughter to Gamache. Basilio makes as if to kill himself and Kitri entreats Don Quixote to intercede with her father so that she may marry the apparently dying Basilio. The ruse succeeds and Basilio springs to life again. Gamache endeavors to allay his own frustrations by challenging Don Quixote to a duel.

ACT III, SCENE II • THE WEDDING

Wedding festivities are taking place. Kitri and Basilio perform a wedding pas de deux. Then the Don valiantly sets out, with Sancho Panza by his side, continuing his quest for the fair Dulcinea.

Kansas City Ballet Premiere: March 21, 2025, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts