The Istanbul State Opera and Ballet (İDOB) recently presented "Don Quixote," a ballet based on Miguel de Cervantes's famous novel, at the Süreyya Opera House in Kadıköy, Istanbul.
According to İDOB, the ballet was first performed at Moscow's famous Bolshoi Theatre in 1869. Originally choreographed by Marius Petipa, it was deemed one of the most impressive and magnificent works of the classical ballet for its melodic richness and the colorful and exciting touch of the Spanish culture. Over the years, the Don Quixote ballet has become an irreplaceable part of many of the world-renowned ballet groups.
İDOB's performance was presented by Ayşem Sunal Savaşkurt and Roberto Gionala was the conductor. The stage decoration was done by İsmail Dede while costumes were designed by Gizem Betil and Önder Arık was the lighting designer.
The premiere had a full house and many viewers had to wait hours in line for a ticket. Notable theatre figures, including Nevra Serezli, Sevinç Erbulak, Meriç Sümen Kanan, Hülya Aksular attended the premiere.
The ballet will be performed on March 14, 16, 20, 22 and 23 at Kadıköy Municipality's Süreyya Opera House, and at Zorlu Performance Center on Apr. 18.
The ballet and the novel are about Don Quixote, who is obsessed with the knights of the Middle Ages. He then decides to become a traveling knight and heads for the city with his aid-de-camp, Sancho Panza in order to win the love of his life, Dulcinea.
Lorenzo, an innkeeper, wants to marry his daughter Kitri to the wealthy Gamache. Yet, Kitri loves Basilio. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza arrive in the city right at that time. As soon as Don Quixote sees Kitri, he believes he finally found his Dulcinea. In the middle of the festival at the village square, Kitri and Basilio manage to escape with the help of their friends, Espada and Mercedes, but Don Quixote and Sancho Panza follow them and soon Gamache and Lorenzo start tracking the couple as well. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza figure out that the couple on the run has taken refuge in a gypsy camp while everyone is under the influence of the romantic atmosphere of the night.
Don Quixote starts dreaming and realizes that Kitri loves Basilio. He attacks a windmill thinking it was a monster but he tumbles down and passes out as a result.
He again starts dreaming beautiful scenes and sees Kitri as Dulcinea. At dawn, Sancho Panza realizes that the couple has escaped the gypsy camp and wakes up Don Quixote. Arriving at the camp, Lorenzo and Gamache ask them about Kitri. Don Quixote, who is now empathizing with the young lovers, directs them in the wrong direction but Sancho Panza, unintentionally tells them where the couple has gone.
No matter how hard they try to escape, Kitri and Basilio get caught. Lorenzo asks her daughter to show interest in Gamache and he creates a fake scene of a suicide. When Kitri realizes she was set up, she tells Don Quixote that she wants to marry Basilio and asks him to convince Lorenzo. Basilio suddenly comes back to life. Everyone leaves to prepare for the wedding. Don Quixote is glad that the young couple is finally marrying and he leaves in order to pursue other adventures.
