Don Quichotte

November 19. 2016 - December 07. 2016

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November 19. 2016 - December 07. 2016

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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

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See what critics are saying about Don Quixote at Lyric Opera

More than half a century before Man of La Mancha, Massenet brought Cervantes’s universally beloved dreamer Don Quixote to the operatic stage.

Director Matthew Ozawa on why you need to come and see Don Quixote

Lyric's Assistant Stage Director Elise Sandell gives you her Elevator Pitch for Don Quixote

3 Things to Listen for with Sir Andrew Davis - Don Quixote

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.

"Alza, alza!...Quand la femme a vingt ans"

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“Regarde!...Géant, géant, monstrueux cavalier”

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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

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Don Quichotte articles

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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.

In a town square, a crowd celebrates the beauty of Dulcinée. When she appears, she confesses that, however admired a young woman may be, there is invariably something missing in her life. Juan and Rodriguez argue over who adores her more, until they hear that Don Quichotte – a knight they have heard is delusional – is about to arrive with his squire, Sancho Panza. They now ride in, to the delight of the crowd. Thrilled with their popularity, Quichotte orders Sancho to empty his pockets for the beggars and children.

After the crowd has dispersed, Quichotte pulls out his mandolin, preparing to serenade Dulcinée, while the exhausted Sancho makes his way to the local inn. The knight’s serenade begins, only to be interrupted by Juan, who jealously warns Quichotte against pursuing Dulcinée. They duel, pausing momentarily so that Quichotte can finish his song but then resume, only to be interrupted again, this time by Dulcinée herself. She praises the beauty and musical mastery of Quichotte’s serenade, chiding Juan for his passionate outbursts.

Once alone with Quichotte, Dulcinée tells him that if he truly loves her, he will retrieve her necklace that was stolen the day before by the bandit Ténébrun – a mission that Quichotte immediately and happily accepts. Dulcinée then leaves with Juan and her other admirers, laughing about how Quichotte amuses her. The determined knight prepares for his quest.
Traveling in a misty countryside, Quichotte sings of Dulcinée, trying with full concentration to think of felicitous rhymes. Sancho begins to suspect that Dulcinée played a joke on them, and that there are, in fact, no bandits. He bitterly laments women’s deceitfulness.

The mist clears, revealing windmills that Quichotte believes are giants, adding to Sancho’s exasperation with his master’s madness. When he attacks the windmills, Quichotte gets caught in one of the sails, leaving him stuck circling through the air.
In the mountains at sunset, Quichotte and Sancho continue their journey. Quichotte remains enthusiastic and resolute, Sancho hesitant but faithfully following his master. They encounter the bandits, who greatly outnumber them, causing Sancho to run away. Quichotte is captured and the bandits are preparing to kill him, but his final prayer deeply moves them. He tells the bandits who he is, expressing his love of mankind and nature, his devotion to duty, and his dedication to his mission. When he asks for Dulcinée’s necklace, the bandits, captivated by his honesty and kindheartedness, gladly yield it. As Sancho comes out of hiding, Quichotte relishes his success and power over the bandits.
At a soirée in the garden of her house, Dulcinée turns away her admirers and ponders the positives and negatives of love. When pursued again by various suitors, she replies that their advances only bore her. She desires instead a different, less ordinary love.

After all retreat inside to supper, Don Quichotte and Sancho arrive, dreaming of the rewards that may await them. When everyone emerges, the victorious duo prove the success of their journey by producing the necklace. Quichotte believes this will secure Dulcinée’s hand in marriage, but she laughs, expressing her contentment with remaining independent and unattached. Attempting to console Quichotte, she explains that by being honest, she is clearly showing her affection for him. Her admirers and other guests mock the sad and disappointed knight. Sancho shames them for berating a man whose only crimes are his kindheartedness and idealism.
On a mountain path, Sancho prays over the sleeping Quichotte, hoping that his master’s gentle heart may find happiness and the realization of his dreams. Quichotte wakes and, knowing that his life is about to end, tells his trusty companion that he deserves everything he dreams of. As Quichotte looks to Jupiter, which shines brightly, he hears Dulcinée singing in the distance and believes her voice is coming from the heavens. He embraces death, leaving Sancho to mourn his departed master.

Program book

Go inside this production of Don Quichotte with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

View Digital Program Book

Meet the artists

Ferruccio Furlanetto

Don Quichotte

The Italian bass, regarded internationally for more than four decades as one of the world’s most celebrated artists, has enjoyed numerous triumphs as Don Quichotte, which he considers his favorite role.

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Clémentine Margaine

Dulcinée

The mezzo-soprano is one of the most acclaimed among the new generation of French singers.

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Nicola Alaimo

Sancho

Italian baritone Nicola Alaimo made his Lyric debut as Sancho/Don Quichotte (2016|17)

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Sir Andrew Davis

Conductor

Sir Andrew Davis served as music director and principal conductor of Lyric Opera of Chicago from 2000 through the 2020/21 Season.

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Matthew Ozawa

Director

American director Matthew Ozawa directed five operas since 2015|16, most recently The Three Queens (2019|20)

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Ralph Funciello

Set Designer

The acclaimed American designer has created sets for more than 300 productions internationally.

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Missy West

Costume Designer

Costume Designer Missy West made her Lyric debut with Don Quichotte (2016|17)

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Michael Black

Chorus Master

Michael Black has served Lyric Opera of Chicago since the 2013/14 Season.

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* Lyric debut

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Don Quichotte

New-to-Chicago Production Don Quichotte

Don Quichotte videos

See what critics are saying about Don Quixote at Lyric Opera

Director Matthew Ozawa on why you need to come and see Don Quixote

Lyric's Assistant Stage Director Elise Sandell gives you her Elevator Pitch for Don Quixote

3 Things to Listen for with Sir Andrew Davis - Don Quixote

Don Quichotte

"Alza, alza!...Quand la femme a vingt ans"

“Regarde!...Géant, géant, monstrueux cavalier”

Don Quichotte

Commentary by Sir Andrew Davis in collaboration with Jack Zimmerman

Don Quichotte articles

Synopsis

Program book

Meet the artists

Ferruccio Furlanetto

Clémentine Margaine *

Nicola Alaimo *

Sir Andrew Davis

Matthew Ozawa

Ralph Funciello *

Missy West *

Michael Black

Don Quichotte

Upcoming Dates

New-to-Chicago Production Don Quichotte

Don Quichotte videos

See what critics are saying about Don Quixote at Lyric Opera

Director Matthew Ozawa on why you need to come and see Don Quixote

Lyric's Assistant Stage Director Elise Sandell gives you her Elevator Pitch for Don Quixote

3 Things to Listen for with Sir Andrew Davis - Don Quixote

Don Quichotte

"Alza, alza!...Quand la femme a vingt ans"

“Regarde!...Géant, géant, monstrueux cavalier”

Don Quichotte

Commentary by Sir Andrew Davis in collaboration with Jack Zimmerman

Don Quichotte articles

Synopsis

Program book

Meet the artists

Ferruccio Furlanetto

Clémentine Margaine *

Nicola Alaimo *

Sir Andrew Davis

Matthew Ozawa

Ralph Funciello *

Missy West *

Michael Black

Lyric Opera presentation of Massenet’s Don Quichotte generously made possible by