About the work
Paquita is a narrative ballet whose familiar form today derives from Marius Petipa; the original version by Joseph Mazilier premiered in Paris in 1846, Petipa's influential Russian revision in 1881. The music is by Édouard Deldevez and—for the famous final section—by Ludwig Minkus.
Plot
In Spain under Napoleon's occupying troops, the young girl Paquita lives with itinerant gypsies, unaware of her true origin. She falls in love with the French officer Lucien. When a murder plot against Lucien is uncovered, Paquita saves his life. Finally a medallion reveals that Paquita is in truth of noble birth—making possible the socially fitting union of the lovers, which culminates in a magnificent wedding celebration.
Cultural significance
While the original plot is rarely shown in full today, the Grand Pas classique from the final act is one of the most famous and most-danced divertissements in the classical repertoire. It is regarded as a touchstone of academic technique and elegance and is frequently performed as an independent gala piece. Paquita exemplarily embodies Petipa's art of the grand classical ensemble and virtuoso solo variations.