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Carlos Acosta’s first venture directing one of ballet’s 19th-century classics was eagerly anticipated, as was his own starring role in the production (as Basilio), opposite the Argentinian Royal Ballet Principal Marianela Nuñez (Kitri). Still built on Petipa’s original choreography, Acosta’s clear dramatic structure and vivid stage action gave the ‘boy gets girl despite her father’ story a more convincing air than usual, with Don Quixote’s parallel obsession with Dulcinea coherently woven into the plot. Acosta’s and Nuñez’s performances were peerless, Tim Hatley’s stage designs vivid and apposite, and this production is surely destined to be a perennial Royal Ballet favourite.
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Kitri: Marianela Nuñez
Basilio: Carlos Acosta
Don Quixote: Christopher Saunders
Sancho Panza: Philip Mosley
Espada: Ryoichi Hirano
Mercedes: Laura Morera
Gamache: Bennet Gartside
Lorenzo: Gary Avis
Queen of the Dryads: Melissa Hamilton
Amour: Elizabeth Harrod
Dulcinea: Christina Arestis
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Conductor: Martin Yates
Co-Concert Master: Sergey Levitin
Production and choreography: Carlos Acosta, after Marius Petipa
Music: Ludwig Minkus, arranged and orchestrated by Martin Yates
Designs: Tim Hatley
Lighting design: Hugh Vanstone
Plus: Interviews with cast and crew; Introductions to Act II and III
Picture: 16:9
Sound: DTS 2.0 / 5.1 (5.0 DTS)
Format: NTSC
Region code: 0 (worldwide)
Duration: 125 +12 mins
Year: 2013
"...a jovial and entertaining showcase for classical dancing at its most demanding and exuberant. One of the pleasures of this ballet is to be tickled by Minkus's infectiously melodious score... Marianela Nuñez and Acosta delivered sparky, engaging performances." The Times
"But while this may be Acosta’s night, the show really belongs to his Kitri, Marianela Nuñez. A woman of sparky personality, teasing wit and steely technique, you can see why every man in the village is in love with her. The stage could have been a lot dimmer without her, but Nuñez brings bewitching warmth and down-to-earth humanity to this fantastical folly of a show." Evening Standard
"Nuñez’s final variation in Act I was a thing of joy as she unleashed her inner ferocity and let rip. Acosta's partnering, his care of Nuñez, was also a pleasure to watch." The Arts Desk
"...when Acosta and Núñez, as the story’s sweethearts, start sparring, they manage a natural, coquettish rapport that’s quite irresistible, Acosta’s megawatt charisma balanced by Núñez’s fizzy, feisty, fan-wielding vigour... Meanwhile, there are terrific supporting character performances from Gary Avis and Bennet Gartside, and a sharp and humorously turbo-machismo turn from Ryoichi Hirano as the toreador Espada." Metro
Don Quixote DVD (The Royal Ballet) 2013
When you first read the story of Don Quixote, you think it's such a beautiful story, oscillating between madness and realism, the dream of ideal love pushed to the extreme, but you'd so much like to believe that this utopia can come true. In proposing to turn this story into a ballet, I realized my dream. To see this utopia live with my own eyes, and to believe in it. There's an energy, a magic, a joy in this ballet, and Basilio personified by Carlos Acosta and Kitri via the wonderful Marianella Nunez make us believe that love exists in real life, and what prowess they've given us here. Christopher Saunders as Don Quixote is moving in the title role, and his servant Sancho Panza, played by the adorable Philip Mosley, seals the deal. A special mention to Thomas Whitehead, Itziar Mendizabal who gave a performance that made my chin drop. Well done to all the dancers, artists and craftsmen, and I don't want to forget the beautiful music provided by all the ROH musicians.
