Don Quixote

In Ludwig Minkus's cheerily inconsequential 1869 ballet, very loosely based on Miguel de Cervantes's 1605 masterpiece—the primary focus is on an impecunious barber named Basilio, who romances lovely lass Kitri, although her father wants to marry her off to a wealthy suitor. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza show up as comic figures to assist Basilio. Don Quixote was recently spotlighted in a 2013 performance (VL-7/14) by London's Royal Ballet, although in that production Minkus's score was adapted and re-orchestrated by conductor Martin Yates, and the choreography was based on Marius Petipa's original. By contrast, this 2014 version from Milan's La Scala features John Lanchbery's reworking of the score and the choreography that Rudolf Nureyev devised for the 1973 Australian Ballet mounting in which he danced Basilio. In either form, the ballet is a charming confection, and both productions are opulent, with colorful costumes and striking sets. And in each case the chief performers—here Leonid Sarafanov (Basilio), Natalia Osipova (Kitri), Giuseppe Conte (Don Quixote), and Gianluca Schiavoni (Sancho Panza)—as well as the company corps, are excellent. This version also benefits from crisp orchestral work and energetic conducting by Alexander Titov. Presented in DTS 5.1 (DTS-HD 5.1 on the Blu-ray release) and PCM stereo, this is highly recommended, especially for those who do not already own the 2013 London Royal Ballet version. (F. Swietek)