The National Ballet of Canada begins its run of Don Quixote tomorrow night. This production is known for its dazzling choreography (with some pseudo knight-errant antics thrown in for good measure). Principal dancer Piotr Stanczyk plays the role of Basilio, a poor barber in love with Kitri, an innkeeper’s daughter. We got in touch with Stanczyk for a quick primer of the show.
Can you tell us a little bit about this show?
The ballet Don Quixote is based on the novel by Miguel de Cervantes and follows the chivalrous adventures of Don Quixote and his servant, Sancho Panza, and the romance between the young lovers Kitri and Basilio.
How are you preparing for the show?
Don Quixote is a lively and funny ballet with challenging choreography. The bravura style of Marius Petipa requires a lot of practice, skill and technique so I have been in the studio rehearsing, perfecting Basilio’s choreography.
Do you feel like you relate to the main character?
Of course – who hasn’t been in love and had to overcome obstacles? Although it doesn’t always happen in the sunny Spain.
How do you like the music of this show compared to others?
The music is very boisterous and helps me to get through the famous grand pas de deux and all the big jumps, turns and exciting choreography.
In the two decades that Don Quixote has been in production, how do you think it has changed?
Don Quixote was first used ballet in the 1750s and our version is a direct descendant of Marius Petipa’s production from 1869. His original choreography is now virtually lost, but he supervised a production choreographed by Alexander Gorsky in 1900. Our production was staged by Nicolas Beriozoff and premiered on November 12, 1982. Every re-staging takes advantage of the technology and technique of the present day, updating it for the dancers.
Don Quixote, Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, March 9-13