Don Quixote

Don Quixote was a production the Australian Ballet is proud of. Though originally mounted for Vienna stage Opera Ballet by Nureyev in 1966, Nureyev came to stage it and danced the title role in 1970 at the request of Helpmann. Two year later, a film version was even directed by Nureyev and Helpmann. It was this film to open the famous Sydney opera house. The Australian Ballet has danced this production probably 400 times (The one I watched in 2007 was the 385th). Minkus’ music was melodic, but the orchestration was very simple. Lanchbery’s version is more colourful in orchestration, also new numbers composed, i.e. new solos required by Nureyev. This version was first recorded in 1972, one complete taken for the soundtrack of the film version, the other highlights for the LP release (EMI). In 1998, Jack reunited with the same orchestra to record a digital version. Although the CD lasts 78 min and labelled as “complete”. It was not complete, still about 20 min to half an hour of music is missing. In 1999, the ABC restored the film as VHS and DVD.