This May 2010 production of Massenet's 1910 opera "Don Quichotte" marked the opera's centenary and also Jose Van Dam's operatic farewell at the Theatre de la Monnaie, Brussels. It is beautiful in every way--vocally, scenically, sonically, and visually--and a worthy record of Van Dam's farewell. Van Dam is just shy of 70 in this production, but you would never guess it from his singing or stage movements--a consummate artist. His is a noble portrayal and deeply moving. The Act V death scene is a model of beautiful singing and acting.
José van Dam
as Don Quichotte
Silvia Tro Santafé
as Dulcinee
Werner Van Mechelen
as Sancho Panza
Julie Mossay
as Pedro
Camille Mercks
as Garcias
Gijs Van Der Linden
as Juan
Vincent Delhoume
as Rodriguez
Bernard Villiers
as Chef de Bandits
Marc Minkowski
as Conductor
