Don Quichotte

A scene from the Canadian Opera Company production of Don Quichotte, 2014. Photo by Chris Hutcheson.

The Canadian Opera Company’s current production of Massenet’s Don Quichotte follows a mesmerizing spirit on an extraordinary journey that calls to question what it really means to have character.

Don Quichotte (Ferruccio Furlanetto) is chivalry incarnate. Loyal to a fault and delightfully mad, he is a bumbling poet from a past era who has fallen for a much younger, modern woman. His obsession with Dulcinée (Anita Rachvelishvili) takes him on a harrowing journey where, bound by his word, he travels in the shadow of great peril to retrieve her necklace and win her hand. The only problem is that he is absolutely mad and he sees things that others don’t, fighting countless imaginary foes in his epic quest towards greatness.

At his side is his faithful sidekick, Sancho (Quinn Kelsey), a quivering coward that stands by Don Quichotte despite his own obvious and numerous shortcomings. Despite his thoroughly endearing insanity, Don Quichotte often speaks the clearest of truths. There is an extraordinarily heartbreaking scene where he encounters a band of thieves and while they are deciding his fate he offers a declaration detailing who he is, what he stands for, and the type of life that he has lived. His proclamation literally brings the hardened criminals to their knees. Accented by the dazzling lighting design of Connie Yun, this scene offers an incredibly powerful image that is an absolute must-see.

Rich with intricate harmonies, this piece is reflective of the delicate human interactions explored throughout the plot. Each character is defined, justified, glorified or over-shadowed by those around them, and the intricate balance of harmony is a continual underlying theme.

Also of note is the stunning dance ensemble that adds a vibrant flamenco flare to this impassioned production. Not a single detail is missed, including the use of live horses throughout many of the scenes. Visually, Don Quichotte is simply fantastic. Playing with scale and light, Donald Eastman's set design transports the audience into the mind of Don Quichotte himself, an inner world dominated by literature and beauty with characters entering and exiting his personal universe.

Featuring beautiful costumes, a stunning set and an engaging, yet approachable story, Don Quichotte would be an excellent introductory experience for first-time opera goers.

Don Quichotte is on stage at The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts until May 24. Visit coc.ca for more information and to buy tickets. A reminder to those under 30: The Canadian Opera Company offers a great Opera under 30 Program, full details are available on the website.

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