So Bad It's Good
Many ballets have been inspired by Cervantes' chivalric novel 'Don Quixote,' starting with the world premiere at the Moscow Bolshoi Theatre in 1869, set to music by C. Minkus, with choreography by Marius Petipa, later shortened by A. Gorsky (Moscow, 1902). In that version, it offers a flash of classical ballet virtuosity and Don Quixotic dreams imbued with ideals, poeticized fantasies. Full of many images/scenes, ironic and humorous events, as well as numerous characters, it makes it more accessible and easier to 'read'.
TL;DR
- The new 'Don Quixote' production by Hoze Karlos Martinez is criticized for excessive theatricality, lack of logical content, and blurring of high and popular culture.
- Key characters like Sancho Panza are stylistically impoverished, and mass scenes are omitted, weakening the emotional expression.
- The choreography, costumes, and dark, bulky set design limit the dancers' technical capabilities.
- Primaballerina Sofia Matjušenjska as Kitri and principal dancer Lev Semenov as Basilio received acclaim for their performances.
- The reviewer suggests shelving this production and reviving an older, acclaimed version by Vladimir Logunov.