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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
CAN YOU DANCE FLAMENCO?
Myriam Allard, who will be performing during the concert, describes what flamenco is and demonstrates a few steps.
I. Discover the characters of Don Quixote’s Spanish Adventure
DON QUIXOTE
Maxime Denommée
His real name is Alonso Quiana. However in our story, he succombs to his imagination and becomes the courageous knight named Don Quixote! With his faithful squire, Sancho Panza, he embarks on an adventure to free the land of monsters and villains, all in the name of Dulcinea, the lady of his heart.
SANCHO PANZA
Sébastien Gauthier
Sancho is a funny man who likes to play and have fun. Called upon by Don Quixote to become his squire, he sets out on the journey with timidity and apprehension. But his friendship with Don Quixote is stronger than anything, and he will always want to protect him from danger and even sometimes, from himself!
Knight of the White Moon
Félix Monette Dubeau
Miguel, Don Quixote’s friend, doesn’t mind playing along. He transforms himself into the Great Enchanter and challenges Don Quixote to a battle, which will change the course of the story. In fact, Miguel wants to scare Don Quixote so that he may come back to reality and forget his impossible dreams.
DULCINEA
Myriam Leblanc
She is Don Quixote’s true love. In his eyes, she is the most beautiful woman to have ever graced this earth. He wants to find her and dedicate to her all of his exploits. But can Dulcinea take life outside the pages of this story?
II. Listening guide to explore the works presented during the concert
Here is a PLAYLIST of the pieces that will be performed during the concert.
Debussy, Images pour orchestre: “Ibéria” (Through the streets and the paths)
José Evangelista, Airs d’Espagne: “La alegría” and “Calle de la botica”
De Falla, La vida breve, Act 2: “Danza”
Dance rythms are often found in Spanish music! Composers draw inspiration from traditional dances of various regions in Spain. Don’t you feel like dancing along?
Albéniz, Asturias (arr. for guitar and string orchestra by F. Moreno-Torroba)
Prokofiev, Symphony no. 5, op. 100: “Allegro marcato” (excerpts)
A symphony is a lengthy musical composition, generally consisting of multiple movements, which combines each family of instruments of the orchestra. This symphony by Russian composer Prokofiev will be performed during our concert when Sancho leaves to find his friends. When listening to these excerpts, do you think he is running quickly or walking slowly?
Mussorgsky, Night on Bald Mountain (arr. by N. Rimsky-Korsakov) (excerpt)
Takemitsu, Dreamtime (excerpt)
This work by Japanese composer Takemitsu alludes to dreams. Sometime, in our dreams, strange things happen. Does the music reflect this feeling? In our story, is Don Quixote in a dream? You will find out during the concert.
Ravel, Vocalise-étude en forme de habanera (arr. for voice and orchestra)
Sung without words, this vocal work inspired by Spanish music was composed by a great French composer of the early 20th century. In your opinion, it is associated to which character in our story?
Revueltas, Redes : « The fight » (excerpt)
The Mexican composer Sylvestre Revueltas composed this music for a film scene where there is a battle. Can you hear the action that takes place during the fight? Do you hear the brass section (trumpets, trombone, tuba and horns)?
Arvo Pärt, Fratres (version for strings and percussion) (excerpt)
Bizet, Carmen, Suite no. 1: “Aragonaise”
III. You can read the summary of each scene below.
SCENE 1 – HOW DOES THE STORY GO?
A troupe of traveling performers turns up at Maison symphonique de Montréal to relate a tale in which dream and reality intermingle, where glory is a reward, and love is an absolute.
Alonso Quiana, who becomes literally possessed by the character of Don Quixote, launches himself, along with his comrades, into the famous narrative of the knight errant and his faithful squire, Sancho. His goal: freeing the land of monsters and wrongdoers, and doing so in the name of Dulcinea, the lady of his heart.
SCENE 2 – THE CLASH WITH THE WINDMILLS
The companions set off on their adventure! On their way they must confront terrible giants…unless they’re only windmills, or maybe the rest of the troupe?
SCENE 3 – MEANWHILE, BACK AT ALONSO QUIANA’S
Sancho locates the other members of the troupe with the aim of finding a solution that will make Alonso see reason. Their idea: bring him face to face with the Great Enchanter!
SCENE 4 – DON QUIXOTE’S NEW ADVENTURE
Sancho returns to Don Quixote, who announces that a new threat is advancing towards them. Is it a witch? A dragon? A ferocious beast? A fresh confrontation is brewing.
SCENE 5 – THE DELIRIUM OF DON QUIXOTE
After trying to attack Sancho, Don Quixote is gripped by visions and madness – at which point Dulcinea appears, to calm him down and restore his confidence. Don Quixote comes to his senses and is ready to carry on with the adventure.
SCENE 6 – THE FINAL DUEL
He is now face to face with the Great Enchanter. It’s the final battle – the one where imagination and honour perhaps will triumph! But unfortunately, Don Quixote is fatally wounded. The story cannot go on – unless…
Découverte of Radio-Canada produced this documentary on the crossing of Mylène Paquette. You can learn much more on her adventure as well as see some pictures that she took while she was alone at see. In French.
IV. VIDEOS
Discover a castanet virtuoso interpreting Danza from La vida breve by Manuel de Falla.
An impressive version for solo guitar of Asturias by Isaac Albeniz, wouldn’t you agree?
This well-known work by Spanish composer Isaac Albeniz was originally written for the piano. Today, many versions exist for various types of ensembles. At the concert, you will hear a guitarist accompanied by the orchestra. When you listen to the music, do you think that Don Quixote is facing monsters or windmills?
More information soon.
More information soon.
More information soon.
