Don Quixote at the Bolshoi: Three Nights of Spanish Brilliance
Moscow’s legendary Bolshoi Theatre is preparing to open its vast stage to one of the great jewels of the classical repertoire — Don Quixote. This autumn promises a celebration of youthful brilliance and artistic mastery as some of Russia’s most exciting rising stars take their turns as Kitri, alongside world-renowned principals and the orchestra’s sparkling interpretation of Minkus’ effervescent score.
The XIV Moscow International Ballet Competition proved to be a showcase of astonishing talent, and one of its brightest discoveries was Anastasia Smirnova, winner of the prestigious Second Prize in 2022. The first prize was not awarded, so we could say that we are facing the performance of the best Kitri winner of the contest. On October 29, ballet lovers will witness her debut as Kitri on the Bolshoi’s immense stage — a date that deserves a bold circle on every dance enthusiast’s calendar. Smirnova’s style blends clarity and precision with a vibrant, almost incandescent joy. Her fearless technique and natural charisma have already marked her as a dancer destined for international stardom, and her Kitri promises to be a landmark performance. Alexei Putintsev Basilio will offer us a fabulous performance, this artist who is currently a first soloist, there is no doubt that he will be a star of the company, we are facing an extraordinary cast full of youthful fire and Spanish flavor that will delight the audience who attend this evening of October 29, a memorable day for these young artists.
The festivities begin on October 28 with Maria Koshkaryova in the title role. Koshkaryova, another remarkable winner of the same competition, brings a radiant freshness and effortless virtuosity to Kitri. Her partner, the celebrated Denis Rodkin, one of the Bolshoi’s great male stars, will embody Basilio with his trademark panache and impeccable partnering. Together, they are expected to ignite the stage in a performance brimming with Spanish fire and Russian artistry.
On October 30, the series concludes with a cast that will thrill connoisseurs: Eleonora Sevenard, a ballerina beloved worldwide for her lyrical lines and fearless technical brilliance, steps into Kitri’s dazzling red dress. She will dance alongside the charismatic Ratmir Dzhumaliev, whose Basilio is renowned for its verve and comic charm.
Across these three nights, Minkus’ jubilant score — played with characteristic brilliance by the Bolshoi Orchestra — will transport audiences straight to a sunlit, idealized Spain. With its bravura dances, glittering pas de deux, and folk-inspired rhythms, Don Quixote is both a celebration of pure dance and a showcase for the next generation of Russian ballet stars.
For fans of classical ballet, these performances feel like the perfect farewell to October: three nights of Don Quixote with three unforgettable Kitris. Smirnova, Koshkaryova, and Sevenard represent not only the future of Russian ballet but also the continuation of its golden tradition — dancers we will surely one day see as Odette and Odile, Giselle, and beyond.
This is ballet at its most thrilling — and Moscow, with its Bolshoi Theatre glittering in autumn light, is about to host an event for the ages.
