Description

The Ballet of the Greek National Opera opens the 2024/25 season with the revival of a majestic production of the classical ballet Don Quixote by Ludwig Minkus, featuring choreography by Thiago Bordin –inspired by that of Marius Petipa–, along with sets designed by George Souglides, and costumes created by Mary Katrantzou. Starting on the 5th of December 2024, for ten performances in the Stavros Niarchos Hall of the GNO at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, conducted by Stathis Soulis and with a world-class ballet cast in the leading roles.

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. Austrian composer Ludwig Minkus composed music for a number of ballets, some of which were choreographed by Marius Petipa. At a young age, Petipa travelled to Spain, where he was particularly taken by the country’s traditional dances. With Don Quixote, Petipa seeks to capture the impressions and colours of Spain, beautifully expressing its dance traditions through his choreography. The results of this Minkus – Petipa partnership immediately met with massive success, leading to Don Quixote being firmly established as a timeless masterpiece of the world ballet repertoire.

The production of Don Quixote, which was first presented in the Stavros Niarchos Hall in November 2022 and scored tremendous success, carries the signatures of choreographer Thiago Bordin, who revived Petipa’s classical choreography, set designer George Souglides, fashion designer Mary Katrantzou, lighting designer Christos Tziogkas and animator Eirini Vianelli. Stathis Soulis will conduct the GNO Orchestra.

After a successful career as a Principal Dancer with the Hamburg Ballet, where the renowned John Neumeier created roles specifically for him, and with Nederlands Dans Theater, dancer and choreographer Thiago Bordin established himself as an important choreographer of the younger generation and has been known for his great affinity for classical ballet. George Souglides, in addition to his work with the GNO, has designed sets for productions at prestigious festivals, including those of Salzburg, Bregenz, and Epidaurus, and has also collaborated with major opera houses in Chicago, Rome, Lisbon, and Valencia, the Royal Opera House, and the Scottish Ballet. Internationally renowned Greek fashion designer Mary Katrantzou has designed costumes for the New York City Ballet and the Opéra national de Paris, and her creations have been exhibited at such major institutions as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and Dallas Contemporary.

At a glance – Synopsis

PROLOGUE

An idea of a hospital. Don Quixote, a country gentleman, believes himself to be a valiant knight, straight out of the chivalric romances that are his favourite books to read. He picks his neighbour, Sancho Panza, to be his squire, and together they set off into a world of adventure. As Don Quixote dreams, Dulcinea –the heroine of these stories and his vision of the ideal woman– appears to him.

ACT I

A public square in Barcelona. Kitri, the daughter of Lorenzo the innkeeper, searches amid the crowds for her beloved, Basilio the barber. Her joyous dancing is interrupted by her father who –wanting her to marry the rich, noble, and silly Gamache– rebuffs Basilio. Kitri turns down the marriage proposed by her father, but the arrival of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza puts an end to their argument. Lorenzo offers them hospitality, inviting them to stay at his inn, but when Don Quixote sees Kitri, he believes her to be his beloved Dulcinea. Like a gentleman, he offers her his arm for a minuet. Gamache grows furious with this situation. Taking advantage of the confusion, Kitri and Basilio decide to flee.

ACT II

Scene 1: The Gypsy camp. Basilio and Kitri take refuge in the mountains, by the windmills. They are discovered by a group of Gypsies who warmly welcome them and invite them to join in their celebrations. The Gypsies decide to help the lovers when they witness the arrival of Lorenzo and Gamache, followed by Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, who eventually discover their hiding place. In the midst of a heavy storm and the panic it brings, Don Quixote suddenly finds himself faced with a windmill; he attacks, believing it to be some enormous enemy leading an army, but is hurled to the ground where he falls into a deep sleep. Basilio and Kitri manage to get away once again.

Scene 2: Don Quixote’s dream. Don Quixote, wounded and quite faint, dreams he has been transported into an enchanted garden filled with nymphs and a cupid (Amour) as a reward for his courage and loyalty. The Queen of the Dryads takes him to Kitri, whom he believes to be Dulcinea, but the dream then fades away, bringing him back to reality.

Scene 3: A tavern. Basilio and Kitri –happy to have escaped once more– celebrate their triumph with friends at a tavern. However, Lorenzo, Gamache, Don Quixote, and Sancho Panza waste no time finding them again. Lorenzo is absolutely determined: Kitri must marry Gamache. In desperation, Basilio resorts to subterfuge and pretends to commit suicide. Kitri begs Don Quixote to persuade Lorenzo let her marry Basilio – it was the young man’s final wish before his death. Don Quixote obliges Lorenzo to allow Kitri to marry Basilio. The moment her father gives his blessing, Basilio jumps gaily to his feet. Infuriated beyond all endurance by this trick they have played, Gamache challenges Don Quixote to a duel and is defeated.

Scene 4: The wedding. There is much merriment as the village celebrates the marriage of Kitri with her Basilio. Don Quixote is guest of honour, and the happy lovers dance for him. Don Quixote and his faithful servant then leave in search of new adventures.

Creative team – Cast

Kitri: Madison Young 
Basilio: Victor Caixeta
Mercedes: Eleana Andreoudi
Espada: Vangelis Bikos
Don Quixote: Thanassis Solomos
Sancho Panza: Hector Bollano
Dulcinea: Mania Karavassili
Gamache: Antonis Koruti
Flower Girls: Elena Kekkou / Ariadni Filippaki / Anna Frangou
Boris: Igor Siadzko / Yannis Gantsios / Stefano Pietragalla
Carmencita: Popi Sakellaropoulou / Anna Frangou / Magda Kou kou-Ferra
Queen of the Dryads: Olga Markari
Cupid: Areti Noti