J065 DVD Ballet Don Quixote Olesia Novikova, Mariinsky ★★★ Undoubtedly the No. 1 Don Quixote in my 55 years of ballet viewing history. ★★★ This is a DVD. Region: Free Recorded: 2006 Time: 1 hour 58 minutes Picture quality: DVD quality The Mariinsky's full-length Don Quixote, featuring the young pair of Novikova as Kitri and Sarafanov as Basil, is finally available on DVD. ★ There is a performance with the exact same stage, direction, and choreography by Viktoria Tereshkina in 2021, but Novikova is by far the most wonderful. If you can tell the difference, you're a ballet connoisseur! [Recorded Information] Ballet "Don Quixote" 2006 Olesia Novikova (Kitri) Leonid Sarafanov (Basilio) Andrei Merkuriev (Espada) Mariinsky Ballet Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra ★★★ Quoted from online reviews below, please refer to them ① There are so many good points that it's hard to list them all. Also, the production is very orthodox, so you can watch it with peace of mind. If you love ballet, especially Russian ballet, you should buy it now. ② Although it depends on your preference, this is a very high-quality Don Quixote. Novikova seems a little reserved for Kitri, but her technique is solid. Sarafanov is perfect for the role. And what's most wonderful is the luxurious cast of supporting roles. It's a work from about 10 years ago, but you can see many dancers who are now principals. Somova, in her most brilliant days, plays the Queen of the Dryads and shows us a wonderful Italian fouetté. Obratzsova, who has transferred to the Bolshoi, plays Cupid, and Merkuriev plays Espada, and it's a star-studded cast. I was surprised that Kondaurova, now a big star, plays a street dancer. She was still young at the time, and her acting wasn't great, but her dancing was amazing. Sarafanov and Obratzsova have also transferred to other ballet companies, and I don't think we'll ever see a Don Quixote with such a luxurious cast again. The dream scene with Novikova's Dulcinea, Somova's Queen of the Dryads, and Obratzsova's Cupid is worth the price of the DVD just to watch it.