Bolshoi Ballet Presents Don Quixote
Founded in 1776, Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet became a symbol of excellence in the classical tradition of Soviet-
era Russia, garnering a nearly mythical reputation in the West through a series of tours organized by the great
20th-century impresario Sol Hurok. After a decade-long absence, the company made a triumphant return
to prominence in the United States in 2000. Since then the Bolshoi has continued to capture the hearts and
imaginations of audiences in the U.S. and all over the world. This time around, the ballet company presents
Don Quixote which premiered over a hundred years ago. It is based on an episode from Cervantes’ novel Don
Quixote de la Mancha also adapted, but probably best known on the musical theatre circuit as The Man of La
KATHLEEN BATTLE Mancha. Because this tale is told through dance with no dialogue; here’s some insight about the storyline.
American lyric soprano, Kathleen Battle Don Quixote is obsessed with stories of medieval chivalry and lives somewhat in a fantasy world. He tells his
is known for her agile, light voice and her servant, Sancho Panza that he has decided to designate himself a knight errant and decides to improvise as-
silvery, pure tone. She got her start in the sev- sembling a suit of armor to make it official. Meanwhile, in a marketplace in Barcelona, Kitri is forced by her
enties within the concert repertoire through father to accept an offer of marriage from the rich Gamache and that must give Basil, the man she really loves
performances with major orchestras. Battle the boot. Add to the mix, Don Quixote, clad in “armor” arriving in town on his horse. He believes he recognizes
graces the Orange County Performing Arts in Kitri his “loved and idealized” Lady Dulcinea, the one he has always dreamt of. A disillusioned Don Quixote
stage and performs for the first time with challenges Gamache to a duel but is mocked and chased away. Back in Barcelona, Basil fakes suicide and
classical pianist, Olga Kern. Noted pianist, asks Kitri’s father with his “last dying breath” for Kitri’s hand in marriage. Thinking Basil is dying, Kitri’s father
Kern was born into a Russian family of agrees, at which point Basil stops pretending and is happily reunited with Kitri. While drifting Don Quixote
musicians and has ties to Tchaikovsky and wanders among the windmills and joins in dances organized to mock him. He even attacks the marionettes of
Rachmaninoff. An unforgettable evening a traveling puppet show thinking they are enemy soldiers, and mistakes the windmills for hostile giants. Now,
will transpire as Battle, noted for her ability you’ve got to wonder what the heck happens from there, let alone how they are able put that entire elaborate
to create a visceral emotional connection plot to dance. Well, it definitely sounds like something excellent to experience; another reason being that the
between herself, her music and the audience most classic and explosive dances are performed by the Bolshoi’s current reigning soloists. The lead soloists
collaborates with the first woman to win the rotate in various performances and the show runs: February 24 at 7:30 p.m. featuring Svetlana Zakharova and
Gold Medal at the Van Cliburn International Alexander Volchkov, February 25 and 27 at 2:30 p.m. and on February 28 at 7:30 p.m. featuring Natalia Osipova
Piano Competition in 30 years. A pre-concert and Ivan Vasiliev, and February 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. featuring Maria Aleksandrova and Mikhail Lobukhin. The
lecture will be conducted by Robin Buck at Orange County Performing Arts Center is proud to serve as the artistic home to the region’s major performing
7:00 p.m. February 12 only. Orange County arts organizations: Pacific Symphony, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County and the Pacific Chorale.
Performing Arts Center is located at 600
Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tickets: Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Single tickets for the Bolshoi Ballet’s Don Quixote start at
OCPAC.org or 714.556.ARTS. $21:
OCPAC.org or 714.556.ARTS.
February 2010 | RAGE monthly 13
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