SYNOPSIS

PROLOGUE
Don Quixote, having read his fill of romances about knights and chivalry, decides to set off on his travels in order to achieve great feats which will bring glory to his name. As his sword-bearer, he chooses the loyal Sancho Panza, a man of sober outlook who is not prone to dreams.

ACT ONE
In Barcelona there is festive animation in the air. Kitri, daughter of the innkeeper, is flirting with Basil, the barber, who is in love with her. Finding them together Lorenzo, Kitri’s father, chases Basil away: the barber is no fit match for his daughter. Lorenzo intends Kitri to marry Gamache, a rich nobleman. Kitri refuses outright to submit to her father’s will.

At the height of the merry-making, Don Quixote appears in the square, accompanied by his sword bearer, Sancho Panza. Catching sight of the innkeeper, Don Quixote mistakes him for the owner of a knight’s castle and greets him with respect. Lorenzo responds in like terms and invites Don Quixote into the inn. Sancho Panza is left in the square. But when some young people start to mock Sancho, Don Quixote immediately hurries to his sword bearer’s rescue.

Seeing Kitri, Don Quixote thinks she is the beautiful Dulcinea whom he has seen in his dreams and chosen as the “lady of his heart”. But Kitri disappears. She has run off with Basil. Lorenzo, Gamache and Don Quixote set out to look for her.

ACT TWO

SCENE ONE
Kitri and Basil are hiding in a tavern. Here they are found by Lorenzo, Gamache and Don Quixote. Lorenzo wishes to make an immediate announcement to the betrothal of Kitri and Gamache. But Basil, by agreement with Kitri, pretends to take his life. Kitri sobs over the body of her sweetheart. Don Quixote overcome by noble indignation accuses Lorenzo of hardheartedness’ and, threatening him with his sword, forces him to agree to his daughter’s marriage with the barber. Basil jumps to his feet. There is no point in him pretending to be dead any longer.

SCENE TWO
In the glade by the windmills, is a sprawling gipsy encampment. Here too is a puppet theatre. Don Quixote and Sancho appear on the scene. The owner of the puppet theatre, invites Don Quixote to watch a show. Don Quixote follows the performance with rapt attention and, forgetting it is theatre, rushes on to the stage, sword in hand, to defend those who need his protection. He breaks down the stage, sends the puppets flying and, catching sight of the windmills, mistakes them for the evil magicians whom he has to get the better of. Grabbing a mill sail, he is first lifted into the air and then falls to the ground.

SCENE THREE
The wounded Don Quixote and Sancho Panza find themselves in a forest. To Don Quixote, the forest seems to be full of monsters and giants. Sancho Panza settles Don Quixote down to sleep, while he runs off for help. In his dreams, Don Quixote sees Dulcinea, “the lady of his heart”, surrounded by Dryads and fairies. Sancho Panza comes back with the Duke and Duchess who have been hunting in the forest. He begs them to help the dreaming Don Quixote. The Duke and duchess invite wandering knight to visit them in their castle.

ACT THREE
At the Duke’s castle. All is ready for the reception of Don Quixote. Having heard from Sancho Panza the happy story of Kitri and Basil’s love, the Duke and Duchess have kindly agreed to allow them to hold their wedding in the castle. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza are invited to occupy the seats of honor. A solemn procession files past. Catching sight of Kitri, Don Quixote again mistakes her for “the lady of his reveries”. But the Duke and Sancho Panza manage to persuade him that she is the very same innkeeper’s daughter whom he helped to unite with Basil, her sweetheart. The festivities continue. All thank the valiant knight and his faithful sword bearer.