Ballet
Don Quixote November 22, 2026, 18:00
Description
Don Quixote is a bright, spirited, and festive ballet set to the music of Ludwig Minkus, filled with Spanish color, virtuosic choreography, and sparkling theatrical energy. Inspired by the world of Cervantes, the story of Kitri and Basil becomes on stage a swift whirlwind of dance, humour, love, and sunlit joy.
Ludwig Minkus
Don Quixote
Ballet in 3 acts
Libretto by M. Petipa
Based on the novel by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
“El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha”
Choreography by Alexander Gorsky after Marius Petipa
At the Abay Opera House, the premiere took place in 1954
New production premiere on 13.10.2018
Production Team:
Stage Conductor – Erbolat Akhmedyarov, Honored Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Choreographer – Gulzhan Tutkibayeva, People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Set Designer – Vyacheslav Okunev, People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Assistant Director, Presenter of the Performance – Aliya Zhabayeva
Cast
- Kitri
- Basil, the barber
- Don Quixote, the errant knight
- Sancho Panza, his squire
- Lorenzo, Kitri’s father
- Flower girls
- Gamache, a rich nobleman
- Street dancer
- Espada, bullfighter
- Queen of the Dryads
- Amur
- Mercedes
- Gypsy and Gypsy woman
The ballet *Don Quixote* is considered one of the finest choreographic creations of Marius Petipa. His travels through the cities of Spain not only left a vivid imprint on his life but also greatly inspired the creation of this vibrant ballet.
Even Cervantes, the creator of *Don Quixote*, once wrote about Spanish dances: “It seemed that joy itself was rushing and merriment itself was leaping.” Marius Petipa, as if echoing these words, brought this brightness to the stage, creating a magnificent festive performance that has become a timeless classic of ballet art.
Summary
Act I
A lively square in Barcelona near Lorenzo’s tavern. The cheerful and spirited Kitri, the tavern keeper’s daughter, is there, along with Basil, the barber who is in love with her. Lorenzo disapproves of the poor suitor and prefers the wealthy nobleman Gamache, who also seeks Kitri’s hand.
The crowd welcomes a street dancer and the toreador Espada. The sudden appearance of the knight Don Quixote surprises everyone. The traveller is invited to join the feast. The girls tease the stout Sancho Panza. Don Quixote is struck by Kitri’s beauty — could she be the Dulcinea of his dreams?
Act II
A gypsy camp. The gypsies entertain their guests. Don Quixote imagines danger everywhere and battles a windmill.
As he sleeps, he dreams he is in the realm of the Dryads, where he sees Kitri as the beautiful Dulcinea.
Back at the tavern, young people dance and celebrate. Kitri and Basil are among them. Lorenzo discovers the lovers and insists that Kitri must marry Gamache. Basil pretends to take his own life. Kitri begs Don Quixote to persuade her father to grant Basil’s dying wish — to bless their love. Once Lorenzo agrees, Basil miraculously “comes back to life.”
Act III
The wedding of Kitri and Basil. Don Quixote is honored among the guests.
After wishing the young couple happiness, the noble knight sets off in search of new adventures.
Don Quixote is a bright, spirited, and festive ballet set to the music of Ludwig Minkus, filled with Spanish color, virtuosic choreography, and sparkling theatrical energy. Inspired by the world of Cervantes, the story of Kitri and Basil becomes on stage a swift whirlwind of dance, humour, love, and sunlit joy.
Ludwig Minkus
Don Quixote
Ballet in 3 acts
Libretto by M. Petipa
Based on the novel by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
“El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha”
Choreography by Alexander Gorsky after Marius Petipa
At the Abay Opera House, the premiere took place in 1954
New production premiere on 13.10.2018
Production Team:
Stage Conductor – Erbolat Akhmedyarov, Honored Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Choreographer – Gulzhan Tutkibayeva, People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Set Designer – Vyacheslav Okunev, People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Assistant Director, Presenter of the Performance – Aliya Zhabayeva
Cast
- Kitri
- Basil, the barber
- Don Quixote, the errant knight
- Sancho Panza, his squire
- Lorenzo, Kitri’s father
- Flower girls
- Gamache, a rich nobleman
- Street dancer
- Espada, bullfighter
- Queen of the Dryads
- Amur
- Mercedes
- Gypsy and Gypsy woman
The ballet *Don Quixote* is considered one of the finest choreographic creations of Marius Petipa. His travels through the cities of Spain not only left a vivid imprint on his life but also greatly inspired the creation of this vibrant ballet.
Even Cervantes, the creator of *Don Quixote*, once wrote about Spanish dances: “It seemed that joy itself was rushing and merriment itself was leaping.” Marius Petipa, as if echoing these words, brought this brightness to the stage, creating a magnificent festive performance that has become a timeless classic of ballet art.
Summary
Act I
A lively square in Barcelona near Lorenzo’s tavern. The cheerful and spirited Kitri, the tavern keeper’s daughter, is there, along with Basil, the barber who is in love with her. Lorenzo disapproves of the poor suitor and prefers the wealthy nobleman Gamache, who also seeks Kitri’s hand.
The crowd welcomes a street dancer and the toreador Espada. The sudden appearance of the knight Don Quixote surprises everyone. The traveller is invited to join the feast. The girls tease the stout Sancho Panza. Don Quixote is struck by Kitri’s beauty — could she be the Dulcinea of his dreams?
Act II
A gypsy camp. The gypsies entertain their guests. Don Quixote imagines danger everywhere and battles a windmill.
As he sleeps, he dreams he is in the realm of the Dryads, where he sees Kitri as the beautiful Dulcinea.
Back at the tavern, young people dance and celebrate. Kitri and Basil are among them. Lorenzo discovers the lovers and insists that Kitri must marry Gamache. Basil pretends to take his own life. Kitri begs Don Quixote to persuade her father to grant Basil’s dying wish — to bless their love. Once Lorenzo agrees, Basil miraculously “comes back to life.”
Act III
The wedding of Kitri and Basil. Don Quixote is honored among the guests.
After wishing the young couple happiness, the noble knight sets off in search of new adventures.
Cast and Performers
(November 22, 2026, 18:00)
- Kitri Arisa Hasimoto
- Basil, the barber Arkhat Ashirbek
- Don Quixote, the errant knight Amir Zheksenbek
- Sancho Panza, his squire Adlet Karipov
- Lorenzo, Kitri’s father Dauren Nurzhanov
- Flower girls Gulbarshyn Kasabolat, Varvara Ponomarenko, first performance
- Gamache, a rich nobleman Dauren Zhenis
- Street dancer Adiya Manabasova, first performance
- Espada, bullfighter Syrym Ayupov
- Queen of the Dryads Tomiris Akyn
- Amur Nuray Nursafina, first performance
- Mercedes Gulnaziya Piltan
- Variations Tomiris Akyn, Adiya Manabasova
- Gypsy dance Nargiz Mirseidova, Arlan Adilgereev, first performance
- Jiga Milana Rakhimbekova, Daniyar Ryskul, Dias Kubashev, Daryn Tairbekov
- Fandango Syrym Ayupov, Gulnaziya Piltan
-
Symphony Orchestra and Ballet of the Abay Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theater
- Conductor – Mukhtar Kaldayakov
Gallery
Gallery
