Mariinsky Ballet (formerly Kirov)

St. Petersburg's magnificent company returns with the full-length Don Quixote, Petipa's delightful interpretation of Cervantes's tale of romance, chivalry, and bittersweet emotion.

• Jan 13 - 18, 2009
• Opera House
• 2 hours, 40 minutes
• $47.00 - $135.00

Mariinsky Ballet (formerly Kirov)
Valery Gergiev, Artistic Director
Yuri Fateyev, Deputy Director of the Ballet Company

Don Quixote
Choreography by Alexander Gorsky after Marius Petipa
Music by Ludwig Minkus

"Sensationally spirited...classical ballet at its most free and joyous!"
--San Francisco Chronicle

"A dance-packed feast of humor, romance, and a touch of fantasy...this bustling Russian classic is still hard to resist."
--The Times of London

Boasting an artistic legacy that spans more than 200 years, St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Ballet (formerly Kirov) follows its sold-out 2008 performances of La Bayadere with yet another master ballet in its repertory: Don Quixote. Based on Miguel de Cervantes's sweeping tale of romance and chivalry, the Mariinsky's whimsical production follows the knight-errant of la Mancha, who sets out to defend virtue and punish those who violate the code of honor. With his servant Sancho Panza as his armor-bearer, he travels to Barcelona, only to mistake Kitri, an innkeeper's daughter in love with a barber, for his beloved Dulcinea. Brimming with magnificent virtuoso and ensemble dancing--from the colorful caravan of gypsies, to Espada the fiery toreador, to the entrancing Queen of the Dryads in the famous ballet blanc dream sequence--Don Quixote is the mightyMariinsky at its best.

NOTE: Due to Inaugural events scheduled throughout the city between Jan. 17-20,patrons attending performances at the Kennedy Center should allow extra time for transportation. Please visit:

http://uspppressroom.blogspot.com/2009/01/united-states-park-police-road-closures.html

CASTING
Tue., Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Kitri: Diana Vishneva
Bazil: Evgeny Ivanchenko

Wed., Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Kitri: Alina Somova (casting updated on 1/8)
Bazil:Vladimir Shklyarov (casting updated on 1/8)

Thu., Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Kitri:Viktoria Tereshkina
Bazil: Andrian Fadeyev

Fri., Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Kitri: Diana Vishneva
Bazil:Evgeny Ivanchenko

Sat., Jan. 17 at 1:30 p.m.
Kitri: Evgenya Obraztsova
Bazil: Vladimir Shklyarov

Sat. Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Kitri: Alina Somova
Bazil:Evgeny Ivanchenko (casting updated on 1/8)

Sun., Jan. 18 at 1:30 p.m.
Kitri:Viktoria Tereshkina
Bazil: Andrian Fadeyev

Running Time: Approximately 2 hours, 40 minutes
Act I: 42 min.
Intermission: 20 min.
Act II: 25 min.
Intermission: 20 min.
Act III: 47min.