Don Quixote Ballet National Théàtre Belgrade Serbia

I’m enjoying the Belgrade performing arts scene! Last night, it was a superb performance of Don Quixote, one of the world’s most famous classical ballets. It’s based on the novel by Miguel de Cervantes, with music by composer Ludwig Minkus and choreography by artist and dancer, José Carlos Martínez. I’ve seen the ballet performed several times, and the National Theatre production is the best!

The January 29^th premiere sold out, but I was lucky to get a ticket for the March 3^rd repeat performance – which also sold out. The comedic ballet is an impressive, impeccably-performed production! The strong, graceful dancers, music, stage sets, lighting, and costumes were perfection.

José Carlos Martínez Artist, Dancer, Choreographer – PAR and Dance

Leon Minkus Composer & Violinist – Medici.tv

Miguel de Cervantes Novelist, Poet & Playwright- Britannica

Background

The adventures of Don Quixote – a hidalgo from La Mancha Spain – and his sidekick squire Sancho Panza, are the comedic elements of the ballet. It takes place in Spain during the early 1600s. Quixote suffers from “delusions, hallucinations, and lack of sleep “. He’s “read so many chivalric romances that he loses his mind and decides to become a knight-errant to revive chivalry and serve his nation“. Quixote’s “delusions of grandeur make him the butt of practical jokes“.

New Staging

“Don Quixote Ballet in III Acts is rooted in traditional choreography. By adding his artistic signature to the production, Martínez brings the authentic spirit of Spain to the stage. The new staging presents two love stories – Don Quixote and Dulcinea as well as Kitri and Basilio.”

The two romances “develop simultaneously, guiding the audience through scenes of joyful dancing in a Spanish square, at a gypsy camp, near towering monster windmills, and during a dream scene with Cupid and Quixote’s ideal woman, Queen of the Dryads“. The happy ballet culminates in a “spectacular flamenco finale at Kitri and Basilio’s wedding”.

Don Quixote Ballet – narodnopozoriste.rs

Don Quixote Ballet – narodnopozoriste.rs

Don Quixote – Belgrade National Theatre

Don Quixote – Belgrade National Theatre

Don Quixote Ballet – narodnopozoriste.rs

Don Quixote – Compañía Nacional de Danza

Don Quixote – Belgrade National Theatre

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“The ballet Dream Scene (Act II) is a classical, heavenly vision, where a confused Don Quixote dreams of a magical forest inhabited by the Dryad Queen, Cupid, and his ideal woman, Dulcinea (represented by Kitri).”

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Emanuele Frigo – Gypsy Chief – narodnopozoriste.rs

Čedomir Radonjić – Squire Sancho Panza Sidekick to Don Quixote – narodnopozoriste.rs

Dmitry Arbuzov – Gamache Foppish Nobleman & Kitri’s Suitor – SveUredu

Maja Stojakov – Kitri’s Friend – narodnopozoriste.rs

Djordje Stankovic – Director Orchestra of the National Theatre – Insajder.net

Jana Zimonjić – Cupid Embodiment of Love to Don Quixote – Blic Zena

Ljiljana Velimirov – Dulcinea Don Quixote’s Love & Queen of the Dryads – narodnopozoriste.rs

Sofia Matiusenscaia – Kitri Daughter to Lorenzo, Basilio’s Lover – World Ballet Company

Milos Zivanovic – Don Quixote Gentleman of La Mancha – narodnopozoriste.rs

Lev Semenov – Basilio Barber & Kitri’s Lover- Tanjug.rs

Cast

• Orchestra & Ballet of the National Theatre, Director Đorđe Stanković
• Sofia Matyushenscaya – Kitri Lorenzo’s Daughter & Basilio’s Lover
• Lev Semenov – Basilio Barber & Kitri’s Lover
• Željko Grozdanović  – Lorenzo Innkeeper & Kitri’s Father
• Ljiljana Velimirov  – Dulcinea Quixote’s Lover & Queen of Dryads
• Miloš Živanović – Don Quixote Gentleman of La Mancha
• Tijana Šebez – Mercedes Street Dancer & Espada’s Love
• Branko Sarić – Espada Leader of the Toreadors & Bullfighters
• Maja Stojakov & Dejana Đorčevski – Kitri’s Friends
• Jana Zimonjić  – Cupid Embodiment of Love to Don Quixote
• Čedomir Radonjić  – Sancho Panza Squire to Don Quixote
• Emanuele Frigo – Gypsy Chief
• Dmitriy Arbuzov – Gamache Foppish Nobleman Kitri’s Suitor

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“Chivalric romances are medieval tales popular from the 12th to 16th centuries that chronicle the adventures, quests, and courtly love of idealized knights.”

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