Act I
The plaza of a small Spanish village.
In the midst of a fiesta, four suitors serenade Dulcinée under her balcony. In response, she reflects on what life holds for women as the years pass (Aria: “Quand la femme a vingt ans”). Two suitors, Juan and Rodriguez, discuss her charms only to be interrupted by the arrival of Don Quichotte, a local eccentric who thinks he’s a brave knight from romantic fiction. Juan mocks Quichotte, but Rodriguez praises the knight’s courage and helpfulness. The villagers hail the appearance of Don Quichotte and his squire, Sancho Panza (Chorus: “Allégresse! Vive Don Quichotte de la Manche!”). Quichotte asks a reluctant Sancho to distribute what little money they have to the poor—much to the delight and gentle mockery of the onlookers. As the crowd disperses, Sancho heads off for a drink at the inn. Quichotte, believing he has found the ideal woman in Dulcinée, serenades her in the aria “Quand apparaissent les étoiles.” He is interrupted by Juan, who challenges the old man to a duel. Dulcinée breaks up their duel, dismisses Juan, and teases Quichotte for his adoration. She asks him to prove his devotion to her by retrieving a pearl necklace stolen from her bedroom by the bandit chief, Ténébrun. Quichotte agrees, and Dulcinée goes off with her admirers.
The countryside at dawn.
The morning mists reveal Don Quichotte and Sancho Panza on their quest for the stolen necklace. Along the way, Quichotte tries to compose a new serenade for Dulcinée (“C’est vers ton amour”). Sancho, who expects the expedition to be a wild goose chase, launches into a tirade against womankind (Aria: “Comment peut-on penser du bien”). At its conclusion, the mist dissipates to reveal a line of windmills. Quichotte, believing the wind¬mills to be giants, attacks them.
The Sierra at sunset.
Quichotte, continuing his search for the necklace, believes he has discov¬ered the bandits’ tracks. Exhausted, Sancho falls asleep and even the vigilant Quichotte dozes. Awakened by the arrival of the bandits, Don Quichotte sends the frightened Sancho away. The old man stands his ground but is quickly overcome. As the bandits prepare to murder him, Quichotte consigns his soul to God (Prayer: “Seigneur, reçois mon âme”). Intrigued by his cap¬tive’s self-possession, Ténébrun asks the old man who he is, and Don Quichotte responds with the aria “Je suis le chevalier errant.” The bandit chief is so moved that he returns the necklace. Quichotte, recalling how the oppressed and the criminal have always understood him, blesses the bandits as they kneel in respect.
Act II
Dulcinée’s house.
A party is in progress as Dulcinée, out of boredom, discourages various suitors. Pulling away from the crowd, she meditates on the fleeting passage of love in her aria “Lorsque le temps d’amour a fui.” When her suitors renew their advances, she chases away her melancholy mood with a flamboyant song to guitar accompaniment (“Ne pensons qu’au plaisir d’aimer”). After the company retires for refreshments, Don Quichotte and Sancho enter. Imagining that marriage with Dulcinée beckons, Quichotte promises Sancho a carefree retire¬ment on his own island. Dulcinée returns. Quichotte produces the necklace in triumph and solemnly proposes marriage, much to the amusement of Dulcinée and her entourage. Dulcinée dismisses them and gently disabuses Quichotte of his folly. She explains that, because her des¬tiny is to give love freely to those desiring it, her refusal is proof of her true affection for him. The crestfallen Quichotte blesses her for her frankness. She leaves, but the guests return to mock the old man. In the aria “Riez, allez, riez du pauvre idéologue,” Sancho chastises them for their cruelty. Then he leads his dazed master away.
A starry night.
Ill and disillusioned, Quichotte prepares to die. He reminds Sancho of his promise of an island (Aria: “Prends cette île”), the only island in his power to give—the island of dreams. A star shines brightly in the heavens, and a vision of Dulcinée beckons as Don Quichotte dies.