Don Quixote

Don Quixote - Synopsis

ACT I

The beautiful and fiery Kitri, accompanied by her friends Juanita and Piquilla, looks for her sweetheart, the barber Basilio. She and Basilio join the festivities in the town’s square. Their happy meeting is interrupted by Kitri’s father, the innkeeper Don Lorenzo, who wishes to betroth Kitri to a rich nobleman named Camacho. Kitri refuses to marry Camacho. Mercedes, a street dancer, and Espada, a famous bullfighter, and his fellow toreadors, arrive in the square. The party is halted with the arrival of Don Quixote and Sancho. As the party continues, Kitri and Basilio sneak off to get married. Don Lorenzo and Camacho chase the couple, and Don Quixote and Sancho follow to rescue Kitri.

ACT II. Scene 1: Gypsy Camp

Don Quixote and Sancho Panza discover the fleeing couple in a friendly gypsy camp. All are inspired by the romance of the night. Their plans are thwarted, as Don Quixote mistakes the windmills for monsters. He attacks them but falters with exhaustion. The gypsies laugh at his defeat, and the lovers run off again with Camacho and Don Lorenzo in pursuit.

ACT II. Scene 2: Dream

Don Quixote lies unconscious and dreams that he is in a magic garden ruled by the Queen of the Dryads. Accompanied by Cupid, the Dryad Queen brings him Dulcinea. He declares his love for Dulcinea, but the dream fades, and off he goes with Sancho to find her.

Act III:  The Wedding

Finally discovered, Kitri is forced by Lorenzo to accept the attentions of Camacho. The thwarted Basilio commits "suicide." Upon learning of the farce, Kitri implores Don Quixote to persuade Lorenzo to wed her to the “corpse.” Instantly Basilio comes to “life!” Triumphantly, Kitri leaves to prepare for marriage while Don Quixote and Basilio salute Lorenzo and Camacho for stoically accepting the inevitable.

The village celebrates the marriage. Don Quixote congratulates the couple, bids them a warm “farewell,” and resumes his ever-lasting adventures.