Cape Town City Ballet’s Don Quixote promises a romantic comedy ballet show with legendary Spanish adventure, stunning dance and entertainment for all ages, currently running at Artscape from 12 August to 2 September.
This ballet show in Cape Town promises to transport audiences through the escapades of Don Quixote and his friend Sancho. It is a romantic comedy ballet featuring the tale of passionate young lovers, townspeople, toreadors, gypsies and so much more that will capture everyone.
The timeless, much-loved story of adventure and chivalry
In this three-act ballet based on the classic novel by Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote follows the story of a dream into an adventure of a forbidden love story that has a happy ending. Kitri, the female lead, loves the handsome but poor Basilio. But her ambitious father wants her to marry a wealthy nobleman Gamache, who appeals for his daughter’s hand. Love conquers all in the end and Don Quixote proves through a series of fops that chivalry is not dead and saves the romance like a hero.
A veteran ballet figure sets the scene for this textured show
Capetonians are in for a treat as British-born Maina Gielgud brings her remarkable talent to recreate an unforgettable ballet production of Don Quixote for a limited run.
This world-renowned ballet dancer, director, and choreographer boasts an incredibly diverse career with international acclaim and the utmost respect from the ballet community. Her deep understanding of ballet as an art form has earned her international acclaim.
Maina worked with Guest Repetiteurs Marilyn Vella-Gat and Australian-born Mark Pace (previously from The Australian Ballet) to help with the arduous rehearsal process of making sure the Cape Town City Ballet perfectly captures the essence of this much-loved ballet.
Marilyn is a renowned Benesh choreologist, who has brought ballets by John Cranko and Frederick Ashton and others to life. Meanwhile, Mark Pace is currently the lead classical ballet teacher at the Conservatoire of Lille, France.
Cream of the crop international and local talent takes the stage
A host of superstar international artists is touching down in Cape Town to grace the stage for Don Quixote for selected performances throughout the season. Royal Ballet principal Vadim Muntagirov commonly nicknamed ‘Vadream’ is paired alongside Japanese dancer, Fumi Kaneko.
From the Bavarian State Ballet, award-winning first soloist Antonio Casalinho is joined by soloist Margarita Fernandes for multiple shows. Guests enjoyed Cape Town City Ballet principles Jonathan Leyva and Kirstel Paterson with a live orchestra on opening night.
Featuring live orchestral music for selected shows
For sound, selected ballet performances will feature the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra in session and under the guidance of Maestro Jonathan McPhee, who previously served as Music Director of Boston Ballet, and is currently Music Director for the Lexington Symphony.
McPhee currently holds the position of Music Director for the Lexington Symphony and is regarded as one of the top conductors for classical ballet thanks to his stints at leading international companies. His direction and orchestration promise an intoxicating score to help bring out the very best of both musicians and dancers of this ballet show in Cape Town.
Performance schedule
Saturday, 12 August at 7:30pm Jonathan Leyva and Kirstel Paterson perform with Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
Sunday, 13 August at 3pm International guests Antonio Casalinho and Margarita Fernandes perform with Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
Wednesday, 16 August at 7:30pm International guests Antonio Casalinho and Margarita Fernandes perform with Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
Thursday, 17 August at 7:30pm Jonathan Leyva and Kirstel Paterson perform with a recorded score
Saturday, 19 August at 3pm Cape Town City Ballet’s Jonathan Leyva and Kirstel Paterson perform with a recorded score
Saturday, 19 August 19 at 7:30pm International guests Antonio Casalinho and Margarita Fernandes perform with a recorded score
Tuesday, 22 August at 7:30pm International guests Vadim Muntagirov and Fumi Kaneko perform with a recorded score
Wednesday, 23 August at 7:30pm Francisco Gomes and Inés McIntosh perform with a recorded score
Friday, 25 August at 7:30pm International guests Vadim Muntagirov and Fumi Kaneko perform with Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
Saturday, 26 August at 3pm Francisco Gomes & Chanté Daniels perform with Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
Saturday, 26 August at 7:30pm Leusson Muniz & Leané Theunissen perform with Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
Sunday, 27 August at 3pm International guests Vadim Muntagirov and Fumi Kaneko perform with Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
Wednesday, 30 August at 19h30 Leusson Muniz and Leané Theunissen perform with a recorded score
Saturday, 2 September at 3pm Leusson Muniz and Leané Theunissen perform with a recorded score
Saturday, 2 September at 7:30pm Francisco Gomes and Chanté Daniels perform with a recorded score
Cost: From R175pp – R745pp, book via Computicket. Children of all ages are welcome
When: Running from runs from 12 August to 2 September 2023. Evening performances are at 7:30pm, and matinees at 3pm
Where: Artscape Opera House, D.F. Malan St, Foreshore, Cape Town
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 021 492 5950
Website: capetowncityballet.org.za
Facebook: @ctcityballet
Instagram: @capetowncityballet
