Ballet news: Cape Town City Ballet’s Don Quixote 2023

Exciting news is Cape Town City Ballet’s Don Quixote at Artscape from August 12- September 2, 2023. The season is being produced and staged by Maina Gielgud – the internationally acclaimed, British born ballet dancer, director and choreographer. The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CTPO) will be playing at some performances, conducted by Jonathan McPhee (currently music director for the Lexington Symphony). Recorded music will be at some of the performances. Read on for more about the season which features CTCB stars and international guest artists:

Cape Town City Ballet is presenting the legendary Don Quixote at Artscape from August 12- September 2, 2023; a three-act ballet based on the classic novel by Miguel de Cervantes.

Produced by internationally renowned choreographer and dancer the esteemed Maina Gielgud, Don Quixote tells 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, Her ambitious father Lorenzo, wants her to marry a wealthy suitor the rich nobleman Gamache, who, appeals to Lorenzo for his daughter’s hand. The innkeeper accepts with delight but Kitri, appalled at the thought of wedding the foppish nobleman, runs away. But love conquers all and Don Quixote is the squire who proves that chivalry is not dead and he promises to save the romance like a hero.

The production promises to transport audiences through the escapades of Don Quixote and his friend Sancho. It is a romantic comedy ballet featuring the passionate young lovers, townspeople, toreadors, gypsies and so much more that will capture everyone.

Don Quixote is staged by British-born Maina Gielgud, a world-renowned ballet dancer, director, and choreographer. Her extensive career and deep understanding of the art form have earned her international acclaim and the utmost respect from the ballet community. She’s bringing her remarkable talent to staging it here and it promises to be an unforgettable production of Don Quixote.

Marilyn Vella-Gat and Australian born Mark Pace, have both been invaluable in assisting Maina Gielgud as guest repetiteurs in the rehearsal process, ensuring that the company delivers a performance that captures the essence of this much loved ballet.  Marilyn is a renowned Benesh choreologist, who has set ballets by John Cranko and Frederick Ashton amongst others.  Mark, soloist with The Australian Ballet when Maina was their artistic director, later principal dancer with Ballet du Rhin, is currently the lead classical ballet teacher at the Conservatoire of Lille, France.

Superstar international artists who will be gracing the stage for Don Quixote include Royal Ballet principals Vadim Muntagirov, known by his well-earned nickname of ‘Vadream’ and Fumi Kaneko. From the Bavarian State Ballet, first soloist Antonio Casalinho multi award winner of Prix de Lausanne and YAGP and soloist Margarita Fernandes. Opening night will feature CTCB principles Jonathan Leyva and Kirstel Paterson with a live orchestra.

Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CTPO) will be led by Maestro Jonathan McPhee, previously Music Director of Boston Ballet, who is currently Music Director for the Lexington Symphony. His direction and orchestration will make the intoxicating score bubble.  Jonathan is well known as one of the top conductors for classical ballet, bringing the very best out of both musicians and dancers. He has conducted for the cream of international companies such as New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet and The Australian Ballet amongst others. Selected performances will feature the CPTO orchestra.

The full cast list of the Don Quixote season is as follows:

Sat, August 12 at 19h30 Jonathan Leyva & Kirstel Paterson (with CTPO)
Sun, August 13 at 15h00 Antonio Casalinho & Margarita Fernandes (International guest with CPTO)
Wed, August 16 at 19h30 Antonio Casalinho & Margarita Fernandes (International guest with CPTO)
Thurs, August 17 at 19h30 Jonathan Leyva & Kirstel Paterson (Recording)
Sat, August 19 at 15h00 Jonathan Leyva & Kirstel Paterson (Recording)
Sat, August 19 at 19h30 Antonio Casalinho & Margarita Fernandes (International guest with Recording)
Tues, August 22 at 19h30 Vadim Muntagirov & Fumi Kaneko (International guest with Recording)
Wed, August 23 at 19h30 Francisco Gomes & Inés McIntosh (Recording)
Fri, August 25 at 19h30 Vadim Muntagirov & Fumi Kaneko (International guest with CTPO)
Sat, August 26 at 15h00 Francisco Gomes & Chanté Daniels (with CTPO)
Sat, August 26 at 19h30 Leusson Muniz & Leané Theunissen (with CTPO)
Sun, August 27 at 15h00 Vadim Muntagirov & Fumi Kaneko (International guest with CTPO)
Wed, August 30 2023 at 19h30 Leusson Muniz & Leané Theunissen (Recording)
Sat, September 2 at 15h00 Leusson Muniz & Leané Theunissen (Recording)
Sat, September 3 at 19h30 Francisco Gomes & Chanté Daniels (Recording)

Tickets for Don Quixote are from R175-R745 and can be bought at Computicket https://tickets.computicket.com/…/1097386/7221651/2525

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