Productions

Libretto by Dale Wasserman after Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra’s novel "Don Quixote".
Music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion.
Original Production Directed by Albert Marre.
Translation of the libretto into Estonian by Peeter Volkonski.

Music Director and Conductor: Jüri Alperten
Conductor: Mihhail Gerts
Stage Director: Neeme Kuningas
Set Design: Ott Evestus, Neeme Kuningas
Costume Design: Grete „Stitch“ Laus
Lighting Design: Palle Palmé (Sweden)

“Only he who attempts the ridiculous may achieve the impossible.”
Miguel de Unamuno

Mitch Leigh’s musical "Man of La Mancha" is a sparkling amalgam of romance, adventure, humour and tragedy that is based on Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra’s novel "Don Quixote". It is a comic tragedy of mankind’s struggle to better both himself and the world in which he lives. Cervantes intended a satirical burlesque of the then fashionable novels of chivalry. Gradually the novel developed into a deep, broad and compassionate account of the adventures of an eccentric idealist in a greedy and cynical world. The reader will reach the conclusion that if Don Quixote is a fool, it is because the world does not live up to his ideals.
Leigh’s music delights with beautiful melodies, the most well-known being Don Quixote’s credo "The Impossible Dream". "Man of La Mancha" was last brought on stage at the Estonian National Opera during the season 1970/71, when the leading character was sung by the legendary Estonian baritone Georg Ots.

The librettist Dale Wasserman has said: “I consider it important that the stage is dominated by great and realistic emotions. I wrote my play in order to protest against the “theatre of cruelty” and the meaninglessness of pop art.”

Sung in Estonian with subtitles in Estonian and English.

World premiere on November 22, 1965 at ANTA Washington Square Theatre.