The Comical History of Don Quixote
Encyclopedia
The Comical History of Don Quixote is a three-part dramatization of Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra's celebrated novel Don Quixote. It was written in 1694, only seventy-eight years after the death of Cervantes, by Thomas D'Urfey
. It is one of the first stage dramatizations of "Don Quixote" ever written. The piece featured many songs, most of them by Henry Purcell
, but there were some by other noted Restoration composers.
The complete work itself, according to writer-director Don Taylor
, is actually three separate plays, and in total takes more than seven hours to perform. It is seldom, if ever, revived today, and was not a success at its premiere, although some of Purcell's compositions for it (From rosy bow'rs, for instance) have become fairly well known. In 1994, an attempt was made at "reconstructing" it, in a version entitled Don Quixote: The Musical. This edition featured much of the play's original music, but used an entirely new libretto (in fairly modern English) written by Taylor, and setting the story as a play within a play, with D'Urfey and others appearing as characters in it. The production starred Paul Scofield
as Don Quixote, and Roy Hudd
as Sancho Panza.
Thomas d'Urfey
Thomas D'Urfey was an English writer and wit. He composed plays, songs, and poetry, in addition to writing jokes. He was an important innovator and contributor in the evolution of the Ballad opera....
. It is one of the first stage dramatizations of "Don Quixote" ever written. The piece featured many songs, most of them by Henry Purcell
Henry Purcell
Henry Purcell – 21 November 1695), was an English organist and Baroque composer of secular and sacred music. Although Purcell incorporated Italian and French stylistic elements into his compositions, his legacy was a uniquely English form of Baroque music...
, but there were some by other noted Restoration composers.
The complete work itself, according to writer-director Don Taylor
Don Taylor (director)
Donald Victor Taylor was an English writer, director and producer, active across theatre, radio and television for over forty years...
, is actually three separate plays, and in total takes more than seven hours to perform. It is seldom, if ever, revived today, and was not a success at its premiere, although some of Purcell's compositions for it (From rosy bow'rs, for instance) have become fairly well known. In 1994, an attempt was made at "reconstructing" it, in a version entitled Don Quixote: The Musical. This edition featured much of the play's original music, but used an entirely new libretto (in fairly modern English) written by Taylor, and setting the story as a play within a play, with D'Urfey and others appearing as characters in it. The production starred Paul Scofield
Paul Scofield
David Paul Scofield, CH, CBE , better known as Paul Scofield, was an English actor of stage and screen...
as Don Quixote, and Roy Hudd
Roy Hudd
Roy Hudd, OBE is an English comedian, actor, radio host and author, and an authority on the history of music hall entertainment.- Early life :...
as Sancho Panza.