ACT l
Summer, Barcelona; a festive mood is in the air. Kitri, daughter of Lorenzo the innkeeper, is flirting with Basilio the barber, who is in love with her. Finding them together, Lorenzo chases Basilio away: he is not prestigious enough for his daughter. Lorenzo wants Kitri to marry Gamache, a rich nobleman. The spirited Kitri refuses to submit to her father.
Don Quixote appears in the square, accompanied by his sword bearer Sancho Panza. Don Quixote mistakes Lorenzo for the owner of a castle and greets him with great respect. Lorenzo then invites Don Quixote to the inn, and Sancho Panza is left in the square. When young locals tease him, Don Quixote hurries to his rescue.
Seeing Kitri, Don Quixote believes she is the beautiful Dulcinea whom he has seen in his dreams, his beloved. But Kitri disappears – she has run off with Basilio. Lorenzo, Gamache and Don Quixote set off to find her.
ACT ll
Scene I
Don Quixote, Sancho, Lorenzo and Gamache arrive at a sprawling gypsy camp looking for Kitri and Basilio while the gypsies dance and play music. Kitri and Basilio appear and ask the gypsies to hide them. Don Quixote mistakes them for enemies and rushes at the gypsies with a spear, gallantly defending those who need his protection. Then he mistakes the nearby windmills for evil magicians, and the windmill sails get caught on his armour, lifting him into the air and then dropping him to the ground.
Scene lI
The wounded Don Quixote and Sancho Panza find themselves in a forest where Don Quixote mistakenly sees monsters and giants. Sancho settles him down to sleep and goes to get help. Dreaming, Don Quixote sees Dulcinea, “the lady who has won his heart”, surrounded by dryads and cupids. Sancho returns with Lorenzo and Gamache, and they continue their journey together.
Scene llI
When they discover Kitri and Basilio hiding in a tavern, Lorenzo wishes to announce Kitri and Gamache’s betrothal. Basilio pretends to kill himself, and Kitri sobs over the “body” of her love. Don Quixote accuses Lorenzo of hardheartedness, threatening him until he agrees to Kitri marrying Basilio. Basilio jumps to his feet in delight, and Lorenzo invites everyone to the wedding.
Scene lV
At the wedding, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza are escorted to places of honour, and Kitri and Basilio perform a special dance for the guests. Everyone thanks the valiant knight and his faithful sword bearer for bringing together Kitri and Basilio.
