With Russian choreographer Marius Petipa and composer Ludwig Minkus, Don Quixote, based on episodes of Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes' classic novel Don Quixote, premiered in 1869 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia.

In 1966, as a choreographer, Nureyev created a new version of Don Quixote, which was staged at the Vienna Opera Ballet. In 1973, he directed a film version－in which he played the role of Basilio－that is still widely regarded as a classic example of its genre.

In 2013, when the National Ballet of China restaged Don Quixote, Manuel Legris was invited to be the production's artistic consultant. Legris was trained at the ballet school of the Paris Opera Ballet, which he later joined. He was appointed Danseur Etoile (star dancer) by Nureyev, then artistic director of the troupe. Now, Legris is the head of La Scala Ballet in Milan, Italy.

Ma Xiaodong, principal dancer of the National Ballet of China, played the role of Basilio in the company's production of Don Quixote in 2013.He joined the company in 2009 after graduating from Beijing Dance Academy that year.

"It's a ballet piece full of cheerfulness," says Ma, who will once again play the role of Basilio in this latest production.

"Nureyev's choreography is very expressive. There is a rich variety of dance in it, like Spanish and Gypsy dances as well as classical ballet. The music is sparkling and inspires me to dance."