Synopsis

Prologue

Don Quixote enters, engrossed in a novel. Having read tales of chivalry, he decides to become a knight and set out in search of adventures, defending virtue and punishing those who violate the code of honor. He decides to make Sancho Panza his squire, and the two set off together.

Act 1

Scene One.
A holiday crowd gathers near Lorenzo’s inn. Kitri, Lorenzo’s flirtatious daughter, joins them, followed by her lover Basil, the barber. Lorenzo catches his daughter kissing Basil and forbids them to meet again, despite Kitri’s pleas. Gamache, a pompous nobleman, enters, asking for the hand of the beautiful Kitri. Lorenzo would be delighted to have a gentleman for a son-in-law, but Kitri refuses. Espada the famous toreador appears, accompanied by other toreadors. They enact scenes from a bullfight. Sancho Panza announces the arrival of Don Quixote, the knight-errant of La Mancha. Lorenzo welcomes the traveler courteously and invites him for refreshments, while the townspeople play tricks on Sancho Panza. The knight sees Kitri and thinks she is the beautiful Dulcinea from his dreams. Don Quixote asks her to dance, and she accepts. When the scullions chase Sancho, who has tried to steal a fish, Kitri and Basil slip away unobserved.

Act 2

Scene One.
Kitri and Basil wander into a gypsy camp. After the gypsies dance, Don Quixote enters. Basil and Kitri greet him, and the gypsies perform a play. Don Quixote, thinking the play real, tries to rescue the heroine and ruins everything. Suddenly Don Quixote notices the turning sails of a windmill. Believing they are the arms of giants, Don Quixote attacks the windmill and is injured. Kitri and Basil aide him and they all spend the night at the gypsies’ caravan.

Scene Two.
Don Quixote dreams he is in the beautiful Kingdom of the Dryads. Among them is Kitri, in the form of Dulcinea, the queen of his heart. Cupid presents Don Quixote to the Queen of the Dryads. The nymphs are grateful to him for rescuing them from a monster, and dance for their savior.

Scene Three.
Dawn breaks and Kitri and Basil flee, realizing that Lorenzo is closing in on them. Don Quixote sends Lorenzo and Gamache on a false trail, but Sancho Panza corrects his master’s “mistake.” The chase continues.

Act 3

Scene One.
People gather for a fiesta at an inn. Kitri and Basil, having escaped Lorenzo and Gamache, also take part in the merrymaking. Espada and Mercedes dance for the crowd. Kitri, warned of her father’s approach, tries to escape, but her father catches her and drags her to Gamache to give them his blessing at their betrothal. Basil stabs himself and falls to the ground. Kitri rushes to him, realizing he is faking. She begs Don Quixote persuade Lorenzo to grant Basil’s dying wish and give their love his blessing. Gamache protests, but at Don Quixote’s earnest entreaty, Lorenzo blesses the lovers.

Act 4

Scene One.
Lorenzo prepares for the wedding feast, at which Don Quixote is the guest of honor. The grateful lovers dance for Don Quixote. Now that is benevolent mission is completed, he may go on his way. Wishing the newly-weds every joy, the knight-errant departs in search of new adventures.