DON QUIXOTE

Prologue

A local drama group prepares for a play, but their aging leading man, Don Quixote, is not up to its demands. The director and the actors storm out in frustration, leaving the Don alone and exhausted with his trusty companion, Sancho Panza . The Don wants to rest so he asks Sancho to leave him. He then falls asleep and dreams of himself as a young man meeting a beautiful woman, Dulcinea. He falls in love, but she is the wife of a king. The king asks the Don to protect Dulcinea while he continues his crusade against evil. The king knights the Don and Dulcinea gives him one of her royal jewels as a token of thanks. The king then leaves Dulcinea to the Don's protection. The Don is embarrassed by his declaration of love for her and feels he must leave. Unprotected, Dulcinea is kidnapped by the evil emperor. Horrified by his actions, the Don chases after them. As an old man he leaps from his bed and with Sancho starts his search for the captured Dulcinea.

Act I

In a fishing village a local girl, Kitri, is in love with Basilio, the local barber. Her father Angel, does not want her to marry Basilio. Anita persuades Angel to arrange for Kitri to marry her son Gamarche, the town's richest young man. Kitri is horrified.

The Don arrives in the village. He becomes transfixed with Kitri as she reminds him of his love Dulcinea. Kitri uses the diversion caused by the Don to escape with her love Basilio. The Don, Angel and Anita give chase.

Act II

Basilio and Kitri run away to the forest where they are captured by gypsies. To escape, they offer to help the gypsies get money from the Don, Anita and their entourage. When the Don and the others arrive, the gypsies ask for money to tell their fortunes. They tell a story of how a young couple in love is parted and how, when the young woman is forced to marry someone else, she takes her life in protest.

The Don mistakes the tale for Dulcinea's fate. He fantasizes that he is once again young and searching for her. Dulcinea, however, does not know of his quest and is forced to marry the evil emperor. She grabs a dagger and stabs herself in protest. The young Don arrives to battle the evil emperor and kills him, but he is too late and Dulcinea dies in his arms. Angels come to claim her and turn her into one of their own. The Don believe that she asks him to help Kitri and Basilio fulfill their love.

Act III

Back in the village Angel and Anita are forcing their children to marry. Basilio, in an attempt to persuade Angel to let him marry Kitri, pretends to kill himself. Angel still objects, as Basilio is still poor. The Don interrupts, giving Basilio the jewel Dulcinea had given him. He knights Basilio and Angel reluctantly agrees to allow Kitri and Basilio to marry. Kitri and Basilio are married and a grand celebration follows.

Still with his dreams, we find the Don back in his bed. As a young man he is reunited with his true love, Dulcinea, and the two are together for eternity.

from: balletmet