This May we headed to Spain and brought back an all time favourite from the legendary ballet, Don Quixote. We perfected our arabesques, pas de chats and the art of the fan in Kitri’s tantalising Act III Variation.
Don Quixote is a ballet in three acts, based on episodes taken from the famous novel Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes. It was originally choreographed by Marius Petipa to the music of Ludwig Minkus and first presented by Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet on 26 December 1869.
Feisty and vivacious, Kitri is the heroine of the ballet. Defying her father’s plan to marry her off for money, she instead follows her heart and after a number of adventures, trials and tribulations, succeeds in wedding her true love, the handsome Basilio.
Her variation is performed on their wedding day, and combines dynamic and virtuosic steps with passionate Spanish flair. The solo has the added challenge of incorporating the use of the fan, which must be used in perfect synchronicity with the choreography.
As always, the workshop culminated with an in-studio performance for friends and family where our dancers came dressed Spanish style in red and black.
‘Quite possibly the best BalletBody workshop yet. I’ve always dreamed of dancing Giselle or Juliet. Who knew Kitri would be so much fun?!’
– Joanne
‘Always wanted to learn Kitri’s Variation growing up. This is truly a dream come true!’
– Shazmone
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