Jules Massenet’s Opera "Don Quixote" Premiered on the Main Stage

Jules Massenet’s opera "Don Quixote", conducted by Đorđe Stanković and directed by Ivana Dragutinović Maričić, premiered on March 2 on the Main Stage.

The libretto for this five-act "heroic comedy", set in Spain in the late 16th century, based on Jacques Le Lorrain’s play "The Knight of the Long Face" inspired by Miguel de Cervantes' legendary novel "Don Quixote", was written by Henri Cain.

Director Dragutinović moved the plot to the present day, and the title character Don Quixote is the personification of a romantic old-school gentleman who, according to her, still fights for love and true values and his spirit guides us where and how we should fight for true beauty. .

His faith in love, chivalry, honesty, kindness, his zeal for the perfection of nature and the search for the God’s goodness within us, is recognized by his friend and faithful companion Sancho, who represents Quixote's link to reality, which is often neither beautiful nor easy. ...

The lead roles were played by the principal Opera artists of the National Theatre - Ivan Tomašev (Don Quixote), Aleksandar Stamatović (Sancho Panza) and Aleksandra Angelov (Dulcinea), soloists Sara Ristić (Pedro), Anastasija Stanković (Garcia), Stefan Živanović (Rodriguez), Siniša Radin (Juan), Predrag Gligorić (Bandit Chief), Ivan Debeljak, Vuk Radonjić, Gavrilo Rabrenović and Milan Vranković (Four bandits).

The Orchestra and Choir of the Opera ensemble of the National Theatre in Belgrade also participated in the performance.

The concertmaster was Edit Makedonska, and the Choir director was Djordje Stanković.

The set designer is Miraš Vuksanović, while Ivica Klemenc was in charge of acting and stage movement.

This was the first opera premiere in this 153rd season of the National Theatre in Belgrade, which was attended by, among others: H.E. Raúl Bartolomé Molina, Ambassador of Spain, Mr. John Ginkel, Chargé d'Affaires of the United States Embassy in Belgrade, HRH Princess Jelisaveta Karadjordjević, Mr. Franck Hiddinga, French Cooperation Attaché at the French Cultural Centre in Belgrade.

The first rerun will be held on Saturday, March 5, starting at 7 pm, with the following artists who will appear on stage: Miodrag D. Jovanović (Don Quixote), Mihailo Šljivić (Sancho Panza), Željka Zdjelar (Dulcinea), Milica Damjanac (Pedro), Iskra Sretović (Garcia), Siniša Radin (Rodriguez), Darko Djordjević (Juan), Predrag Gligorić (Bandit Chief), Ivan Debeljak, Vuk Radonjić, Gavrilo Rabrenović and Milan Vranković (Four Bandits).