The Bolshoi Theatre Ballet will return to Shanghai this golden autumn with the classical ballet classic Don Quixote. Founded in 1776, the company is one of the world's most renowned ballet troupes. For over two centuries, it has remained the pinnacle of Russian ballet artistry, celebrated for its grand stage productions, superb technical mastery, and deep dramatic tradition, bringing together the finest dancers of the Moscow ballet school.

Don Quixote is a ballet masterpiece born in Moscow, first choreographed and premiered in 1869 by ballet master Marius Petipa based on Cervantes's novel of the same name. In 1900, Alexander Gorsky radically revised the work, intensifying its Spanish flair, breaking away from rigid corps de ballet patterns, and infusing the stage with the atmosphere of a bustling marketplace and vivid individuality, cementing its status as a model of "Moscow ballet style." The work underwent multiple adaptations over the years. In 1999, Alexei Fadeyechev—who had once performed the leading role of Basilio—undertook a revision, trimming excess while preserving the essence, and further refined it in 2016. The version coming to Shanghai features choreography by Fadeyechev, with musical direction by Pavel Sorokin, set design by Valery Leventhal, and costume design by Elena Zaitseva.

Synopsis

The ballet unfolds around the adventures of Don Quixote. The air in Barcelona is filled with festive cheer. Kitri, the daughter of the innkeeper, is deeply in love with Basilio, a barber, but her father Lorenzo opposes the match and intends to marry her off to the nobleman Gamache. Kitri firmly resists her father's arrangement and elopes with Basilio.

Moved by the sincere love between Kitri and Basilio, Don Quixote comes to their aid, and with his help, the young lovers are finally united. Everyone gives thanks to the valiant knight and his loyal squire.