Act 1
Admirers of Dulcinea are gathered in front of her house. Don Quixote and Sancho give alms to the beggars who crowd around them. While serenading Dulcinea under her window, Don Quixote is interrupted by Juan, one of her lovers. The young woman intervenes and puts an end to the conflict between the two men. Don Quixote offers her his devotion and a castle. Instead, as a token of his love, she asks him to retrieve a necklace stolen by Tenebrun and a group of bandits.

Act 2
On the road to the thieves’ camp, Don Quixote composes a love poem, while Sancho tries to dissuade him from confronting the bandits and warns him about women. In the mist, Don Quixote spots what he thinks are giants. Carried away by a chivalrous impulse, he charges a windmill.

Act 3
Arriving at the brigands’ hideout, Don Quixote is taken prisoner, while Sancho escapes. The knight’s courage, dignity and kindness impress the robbers, who give him back his freedom and his necklace.

Act 4
Dulcinea is bored and listens distractedly to her suitors wooing her. Don Quixote and Sancho arrive. Overjoyed to recover her necklace, the young woman kisses the knight, who immediately asks for her hand in marriage. The beautiful woman bursts out laughing and, touched by her suitor’s distress, tenderly tells him who she is and that she has no desire to marry. Don Quixote collapses.

Act 5
Don Quixote is dying, supported by his faithful friend Sancho. Unable to offer him the island promised during their wanderings, he bequeaths him the “island of dreams”. He recalls his past, his hopes and his love for Dulcinea. He dies, his gaze fixed on a star in which he believes he recognises his beloved calling out to him.