Don Quichotte
November 19. 2016 - December 07. 2016
Upcoming Dates
November 19. 2016 - December 07. 2016
New-to-Chicago Production Don Quichotte
More than half a century before Man of La Mancha, Massenet brought Cervantes’s universally beloved dreamer Don Quixote to the operatic stage. Inspired by the greatest of all Spanish novels, Don Quichotte is the story of an eccentric idealist and self-proclaimed knight errant who tilts at windmills and fights for the honor of his lady Dulcinée. The opera combines Massenet’s fabulously atmospheric music with his own matchless theatrical flair to conjure a Spain that abounds with energy and spirit, beauty, and hope. Legendary bass Ferruccio Furlanetto bringing this signature role to vivid life with Sir Andrew Davis conducting in a production that is as gorgeous to see as it is to hear.
- Language: Performed in French with projected English translations
- Running Time: 2 hours 30 minutes including 1 intermission
- Location: Lyric Opera House
Don Quichotte videos
Don Quichotte
by Jules Massenet
Recording by EMI – Van Dam, Bergonza, Fondary, Rivenq, cond. Plasson.
Musical excerpts provided through generous arrangement with Warner Classics, Official Education and Promotion Music Provider for Lyric Opera of Chicago.
“Regarde!...Géant, géant, monstrueux cavalier”
Don Quichotte
by Jules Massenet
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
© 2016/17 Lyric Opera Commentaries
Musical excerpts provided through generous arrangement with Warner Classics, Official Education and Promotion Music Provider for Lyric Opera of Chicago. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women's Board.
Commentary by Sir Andrew Davis in collaboration with Jack Zimmerman
Don Quichotte articles
Ferruccio Furlanetto Returns in his Favorite Role with Don Quichotte
Internationally celebrated for his velvety tone, imposing vocal power, and electrifying stage presence, legendary Italian bass Ferruccio Furlanetto returns to Chicago (this time on horseback!) to portray the title role in Massenet's Don Quichotte.
Don Quichotte — Dream Big. Live with Honor. Be a Legend.
Massenet's Don Quichotte was inspired by Cervantes's Don Quixote, the story of an eccentric idealist and self-proclaimed knight errant who tilts at windmills and fights for the honor of his lady love. The opera combines Massenet's fabulously atmospheric music and his own matchless theatrical flair to conjure up a Spain that abounds with energy, spirit and beauty.
Don Quichotte Wins All Hearts at Lyric
The weather outside was frightful, but the sun-dappled and starlit scenes onstage were delightful as Lyric's heartwarming presentation of Don Quichotte opened. Here's a small sampling of the rave reviews.
Synopsis
In a small Spanish town a beautiful young woman, Dulcinée, is wooed by many men, but she hopes to meet a noble knight. The aging Don Quichotte and his servant, Sancho Pança, arrive in the town. Enchanted by Dulcinée, Quichotte offers to serve her. She asks him to bring back a necklace that bandits stole from her. Along the way, he mistakes windmills for giants interfering with his quest and battles against them. Meeting the bandits, he touches their hearts and they gladly give back the necklace. Quichotte returns it to Dulcinée, who laughs at his proposal of marriage but later admits that she feels unworthy of Quichotte’s devotion. On a mountain path Quichotte is resting as Sancho comforts him. He dies thinking of Dulcinée.
PLACE: In and around a small town in Spain.
Program book
Go inside this production of Don Quichotte with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.
Meet the artists
* Lyric debut
Lyric Opera presentation of Massenet’s Don Quichotte generously made possible by
Don Quichotte is a production of San Diego Opera.