The EventThe OperaSynopsis
Celebrate love with the romantic and idealistic, Don Quixote which brings to life one of the noblest gentleman in all literature. Fighting windmills he believes are giants, escaping bandits and risking death, an eccentric, elderly knight sets out on a journey to win the heart of the young woman he idolizes.
Win the heart of your love with world-class opera, fabulous accommodations and sunny skies for an unforgettable Valentine's Day weekend.
Just 3 easy steps begin your incredible getaway weekend:
Reserve Your Seats
Click here or Call (619)533-7000 for Opening Night Tickets to Don Quixote!
Saturday February 14, 2009 7:00 pm
Join Metropolitan Opera star Ferruccio Furlanetto as Don Quixote and international sensation Denyce Graves as his idolized Dulcinea in one of the most romantic stories ever told.
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Relax And Enjoy…
…an unforgettable weekend of romance and culture in America’s Finest City.
San Diego boasts warm weather, sunny skies, world-class culture and more. Spend a Valentine’s Day you will never forget.
The Story
An Impossible Dream: Can an eccentric, elderly knight capture the heart of the woman he adores? This poignant opera brings to life one of the noblest gentlemen in all literature – Don Quixote. Romantic and idealistic, he sees Dulcinea not as the village tart, but as the ideal of womanhood. With loyal Sancho Panza at his side, this soulful “knight-errant” sets off on a quest – fighting windmills he believes are "giants", escaping bandits, and risking death – to win the love of his idolized Dulcinea.
The Music
Excitingly Spanish, with pulsating rhythms and stirring choruses, the music also has an intimate, tragic side as Don Quixote realizes his dream is ending. His final scene is one of the most touching, sensitive and moving in all opera as he lies delirious, believing he hears Dulcinea’s voice calling from a bright star.
The Look
The magical world of Don Quixote’s classical Spain is brought to life in this exciting new production. It’s all here: the bright colors of a vivid country, the dented armor of a crumpled Don Quixote, huge windmills whirling in the mists, and the tranquility of a starry night out of which both death and hope appear.
Cast Highlights
Charismatic Metropolitan Opera star Ferruccio Furlanetto will captivate you as the delusional Don Quixote. International star Denyce Graves, our ‘Delilah’ from 2007’s Samson and Delilah returns as the enchanting Dulcinea, joined by the irrepressible Reinhard Dorn as loyal Sancho Panza. San Diego Opera's own Ian Campbell will direct with San Diego Opera’s Resident Conductor Karen Keltner to make this new production an evening of laughter and tears you will long remember.
The running time is approximately 2 hours, 16 minutes.
Act I
A square in front of Dulcinea's house
A festival is being celebrated, as four hopeful admirers of Dulcinea serenade her. She explains philosophically that being adored is not enough. She withdraws as the crowd acclaims the arrival of the eccentric Knight and his squire, Sancho. Don Quixote is riding on his horse Rosinante, and Sancho is on a donkey. Delighted by the attention of the crowd, Quixote tells a reluctant Sancho to throw them money. After the crowd disperses, Quixote himself serenades Dulcinea, but is interrupted by Juan, a jealous admirer of Dulcinea. A sword fight follows, interrupted by Dulcinea herself. She is charmed by Quixote’s antique attentions. The old man offers her his devotion and a castle. She suggests instead that he might retrieve a pearl necklace of hers stolen by Ténébrun, a bandit chief. He undertakes to do so as, to his surprise, Dulcinea rejoins her men friends. Recovering his composure, and convinced she loves him, Quixote stands guard outside her window.
Act II
In the countryside
On a misty morning, Don Quixote and Sancho enter, the Knight composing a love poem. Sancho delivers a grand tirade against their expedition, against Dulcinea and against women in general. As the mists disperse, Quixote sees windmills which he mistakes for giants. To Sancho's horror, Quixote attacks them, crying out the name of Dulcinea.
Act III
In the mountains
Don Quixote and Sancho are searching for the bandits, whom Quixote is convinced are nearby. Sancho goes to sleep while Quixote stands guard. The bandits suddenly appear and after a brief fight take the knight prisoner. Sancho escapes. Surprised by the defiance of the old man, the bandits give him a beating and intend to kill him, however Quixote’s reply moves Ténébrun, the bandit chief, to mercy. Quixote explains his mission and the necklace is returned to him. The bandits ask for the blessing of the noble knight before he leaves.
Act IV
A garden
A party is in progress, but Dulcinea is melancholy. Rousing herself, she snatches a guitar and sings and leaves. Sancho and Don Quixote arrive. While waiting for Dulcinea, Sancho asks for his reward to which Quixote responds with vague promises of an island, a castle and riches. Dulcinea and her party greet the Knight who returns the necklace to universal acclaim. However when he asks Dulcinea to marry him, Quixote is greeted with laughter. Taking pity, Dulcinea tells the others to leave, apologizes and explains that her destiny and her way of life are different from his. She kisses him on the forehead and leaves. When partygoers make fun of the old man, Sancho vigorously reproaches them, and takes his master away.
Act V
A mountain pass.
On a clear starry night, Don Quixote is dying. He remembers having promised Sancho an island as his reward, and offers him an isle of dreams. As he dies, Quixote sees a star shining brightly above, and believes he hears the voice of Dulcinea beckoning to him.
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Don Quixote
by jules massenet
Feb 14 - 22
An Impossible Dream: Can an eccentric, elderly knight win the heart of the woman he adores?
Classical Spain, with windmills and bandits, combine with stirring choruses and
poignant arias in an evening you will long remember.
CAST HIGHLIGHTS
Please click an artist’s name to read more.
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Don Quixote
Ferruccio Furlanetto
Don Quixote
Ferruccio Furlanetto
Italian bass Ferruccio Furlanetto has been associated with San Diego Opera for more than twenty years since his debut in the title role in Verdi’s Oberto in 1985. He returned for Méphistophélès in Faust and the title role in Don Giovanni on two occasions each, King Philip in Don Carlo, Basilio in The Barber of Seville, and most recently in the title role of Boris Godunov in 2007. Recent engagements include Boris Godunov at the Vienna Staatsoper and King Philip and Boris Godunov at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, making him the first Italian ever to sing those roles there. With the Metropolitan Opera he has appeared in many operas including Ernani, Simon Boccanegra, Don Carlos, La Juive and The Marriage of Figaro. He first appeared at theSalzburg Festival in 1986 as Mozart’s Figaro, returning as Leporello, Don Alfonso, Don Giovanni and King Philip. Many of his performances are available on more than twenty-seven CDs and DVDs including King Philip, Don Giovanni, Attila, Figaro, Alfonso, Leporello and Zaccaria in Nabucco which he will sing in San Diego Opera’s 2010 season. Ferruccio Furlanetto is a Kammersänger of the Wiener Staatsoper and an Honorary Ambassador to the United Nations.
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Dulcinea
Denyce Graves
Dulcinea
Denyce Graves
American mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves made her San Diego Opera debut as Delilah in Samson and Delilah in 2007, a role she has sung with many of the world’s leading opera companies including the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera Covent Garden, Houston Grand Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Washington National Opera, Opéra de Marseilles and New Israeli Opera. Another signature role, Carmen, has been heard in New York, Vienna, Paris, Geneva, Genoa, Chicago, Munich, Madrid and San Francisco. Her varied operatic repertoire includes Federica in Luisa Miller with Metropolitan Opera, Cuniza in Oberto with Covent Garden, Judith in Bluebeard’s Castle with Los Angeles Opera & Washington National Opera, Dulcinée in Don Quichotte and Azucena in Il trovatore with Washington National Opera, Charlotte in Werther with Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa, and Baba The Turk in The Rake’s Progress at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. World premieres include Margaret Garner in Detroit, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Charlotte and Grendel at Los Angeles Opera & Lincoln Center Festival. She is an active concert and recital performer and sang The Lord’s Prayer at the State Funeral of President Gerald R. Ford. Recordings include the aria CD Voce di Donnna and The Lost Days, a recording of Latin songs with jazz musicians in Spanish & Portuguese. Highlights from Samson and Delilah are featured on her Virgin Classics recording of French Opera Arias and complete opera recordings include La vestale, Hamlet, Rigoletto and Otello.
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Sancho Panza
REINHARD DORN
Sancho Panza
REINHARD DORN
German bass Reinhard Dorn made his San Diego Opera debut as Taddeo in The Italian Girl in Algiers in 1997, returning in 2000 as Leporello in Don Giovanni and 2006 as the Speaker in The Magic Flute. He also sings Sancho Panza in Don Quixote this season. Recent engagements include Landgraf Hermann in Tannhäuser, Don Magnifico in Cinderella, Sarastro in The Magic Flute, Osmin in The Abduction from the Seraglio, Baron Ochs in Der Rosenkavalier, Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte, Frank in Die Fledermaus and Kezal in The Bartered Bride for Semperoper Dresden. In Cologne he has sung Mustafa in The Italian Girl in Algiers, Baron Ochs and Landgraf Hermann. Other appearances include Baron Ochs and Rocco in Fidelio in Hamburg, Kezal at the Glyndebourne Festival, the title role of Don Pasquale in Bonn, and Pogner in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg at the Maggio Musicale in Florence as well as in Japan with Bayerische Staatsoper.
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