- 1910 
- German translation - The opera is the third most often performed opera of Massenet, behind Manon and Werther.
- Le Chevalier de la Longue Figure (The Knight of the Rueful Countenance) in this opera by Massenet refers to Jean le Lorraine’s play based on Cervantes’ novel Don Quixote de la Mancha.
A square in front of Dulcinée's house
A festival is being celebrated. Four hopeful admirers of Dulcinée serenade her from the street. Dulcinée appears and explains philosophically that being adored is not enough. She withdraws and a crowd, largely of beggars, acclaim the arrival of the eccentric knight and his comic squire, Don Quichotte riding on his horse Rossinante and Sancho Panza on a donkey. Delighted by their attention, Don Quichotte tells a reluctant Sancho to throw them money. After the crowd disperse, Don Quichotte himself serenades Dulcinée, but he is stopped by Juan, a jealous admirer of the local beauty. A sword fight follows, interrupted by Dulcinée herself. She is charmed by Don Quichotte's antique attentions, chides Juan for his jealousy and sends him away. The old man offers her his devotion and a castle. She suggests instead that he might retrieve a pearl necklace of hers stolen by Ténébrun, the bandit chief. He undertakes to do so, and Dulcinée quickly rejoins her men friends.
Act 2
In the countryside
A misty morning, Don Quichotte and Sancho enter with Rossinante and the donkey. Don Quichotte is composing a love poem. Sancho delivers a grand tirade against their expedition, against Dulcinée, and against women in general. The mists disperse revealing a line of windmills that Don Quichotte takes for a group of giants. To Sancho's horror, Don Quichotte attacks the first one, only to be caught up in one of the sails and hoisted up in the air.
Act 3
In the mountains
Dusk, Don Quichotte believes they are getting close to the bandits. Sancho goes to sleep while Don Quichotte stands guard. The bandits suddenly appear and after a brief fight take the knight prisoner. Sancho escapes. Surprised by the defiance of the old man, the bandits give him a beating and intend to kill him, however Don Quichotte's prayer moves Ténébrun, the bandit chief, to mercy. Don Quichotte explains his mission, and the necklace is returned to him. The bandits ask for the blessing of the noble knight before he leaves.
Act 4
The garden of Dulcinée's House
Music and dancing, a party is in progress, but Dulcinée is melancholy. Rousing herself, she snatches a guitar and sings 'Ne pensons qu'au plaisir d'aimer'. All retire to dinner. Sancho and Don Quichotte arrive. While waiting for Dulcinée, Sancho asks for his reward to which Don Quichotte responds with vague promises of an island, a castle, riches. Dulcinée and her party greet the knight and he returns the necklace to universal acclaim. However when he asks her to marry him he is greeted with hysterical laughter. Taking pity, Dulcinée tells the others to leave, apologizes but explains that her destiny, her way of life, is different from his. She kisses him on the forehead and leaves. But the company return to make fun of the old man. Sancho vigorously upbraids them and takes his master away.
Act 5
A mountain pass in an ancient forest
A clear starry night, Don Quichotte is dying. He remembers once promising Sancho an island as his reward, and offers him an isle of dreams. Nearing death, Don Quichotte looks up at a star shining brightly above and hears the voice of Dulcinée calling him to another world.
| Dulcinée (Dulcinea) | Contralto | F-L | |
| Don Quichotte (Don Quixote) | Bass | M-VL | |
| Sancho Pança (Sancho Panza) | Baritone | M-L | |
| Pedro | Soprano | F-H | |
| Garcias | Soprano | F-H | |
| Juan | Tenor | M-M | |
| Rodriguez | Tenor | M-M | |
| Le chef des bandits | |||
| Deux valets | Baritone | M-L |
| Act 1: | Belle, dont l'empire est le charme | |
| Quand la femme a vingt ans (When a woman is twenty) | ||
| Dulcinee est certes jolie | ||
| Allegresse! Vive Don Quichotte de la Manche! | ||
| C'est merveille de voir comme l'on me connait! | ||
| Je voudrais que la joie embaumat les chemins | ||
| Ah! vous allez ameuter alcade, regidor | ||
| Quand apparaissent les étoiles (When the stars begin to shine) | ||
| Qu'est cela, le beau mandoliniste? | ||
| Ah! c'est vous qui lanciez des vers a ma fenetre | ||
| Vous etes, monseigneur, plus que compromettant | ||
| Pour vous choyer et vous servir | ||
| Alors vous devriez, o mon heros superbe | ||
| Elle m'aime et va me revenir | ||
| Act 2: | C'est vers ton amour | |
| Croyez-moi, chevalier, nous nous sommes trompes | ||
| Comment peut-on penser du bien de ces coquines (How can anyone think anything good of those hussies) | ||
| Regarde, homme de peu! | ||
| Geant, monstrueux cavalier | ||
| Les Moulins | ||
| Act 3: | C'est ici le chemin que prennent les bandits | |
| Le Sommeil de Don Quichotte | ||
| Cette fois, ce sont eux! | ||
| Halte-la! rendez-vous, gens de peu | ||
| Ah! voir un corps long comme un jour sans pain | ||
| Seigneur, reçois mon âme, elle n'est pas méchante (Lord receive my soul, it is not evil) | ||
| Je suis le chevalier errant (I am the Knight-errant) | ||
| Et maintenant sur couse, placez votre main pure | ||
| Les manants, les pillards, fils du vol et du crime | ||
| Act 4: | Alors, traitresse, je n'ai plus rien a esperer | |
| Lorsque le temps d'amour a fui (When the time of love has gone) | ||
| Par fortune! Serait-ce mon tour? | ||
| Ah! J'ai en ce moment le desir d'autre chose | ||
| Ne pensons qu'au plaisir d'aimer (Think just of the pleasures of love) | ||
| L'aube bientot blanchira l'horizon | ||
| Annonce le grand Don Quichotte de la Manche | ||
| J'entre enfin dans la joie | ||
| Tiens, c'est vous, chevalier | ||
| On ne s'exlique pas qu'a deux | ||
| Auriez-vous donc les trente perles fines | ||
| Marchez dans mon chemin | ||
| Me marier, moi! | ||
| Oui, je souffre votre tristesse, et j'ai vraiment chagrin à vous désemparer (I share your sorrow and am truly sorry) | ||
| O toi, dont les bras nus | ||
| Enfin, te revoila! | ||
| Riez, allez, riez du pauvre idéologue (Laugh, laugh at this poor idealist) | ||
| Act 5: | O mon maitre, o mon Grand! | |
| Ecoute, mon ami, je me sens bien malade | ||
| Prends cette île (Take that isle) | ||
| L'Etoile!...Dulcinee! Le temps d'amour a fui |