The Royal Ballet is returning to Chicago this summer after a 37-year hiatus with Carlos Acosta’s production of Don Quixote at the Auditorium Theatre. The world-renowned British ballet company will dance five performances of this well-known classic, accompanied by the Chicago Sinfonietta, June 18 through 21.
This updated version of the popular story ballet was created specifically for the Royal Ballet by Acosta in 2013. It follows the adventures of the knight Don Quixote and his squire, Sancho Panza, as they search for the “ideal woman." On their journey, they come across lovers Kitri and Basilio, and the famed love story begins to unfold. Don Quixote offers both humor and romance, and is set to a beautiful score by Ludwig Minkus.
The Royal Ballet, led by director Kevin O'Hare, is Britain’s largest ballet company, and it is considered one of the finest in the world. "Seeing the company perform on our landmark stage will be a memory of a lifetime for all of us," says Brett Batterson, executive director of the Auditorium Theatre.
Chicago is one of only three cities in the U.S. where the Royal Ballet will perform as they tour the critically-acclaimed production. Tickets range from $32 to $137 and are available on the Auditorium’s website. The ballet concludes the Auditorium’s 125th Anniversary International Dance Series.