04 december 2025 Christmas Mood at the Opera with "The Nutcracker"

At the end of the eventful year of 2025 for the State Opera – Burgas, the traditional holiday performances of “The Nutcracker” are coming up, with music by P. I. Tchaikovsky, production and direction by Prof. Hikmet Mehmedov, restoration by Galina Kalcheva, on December 5 and December 22, in the hall of the Burgas Opera. Both performances start at 7 pm.

The ballet extravaganza is based on the popular fairy tale by E.T. Hoffmann. Through the means of fine dance art, in the most performed ballet during the Christmas holidays, the artists of the ballet troupe will retell the story of Masha, her adventures in the magical world of dreams and the fairy-tale metamorphosis that turned the Nutcracker into a prince, with whom they experience wonderful adventures in a dreamlike reality.

In addition to the soloists and the ensemble of the State Opera – Burgas ballet, graduates of the Children’s Ballet Theatre “Kapka” will also take part in the stage extravaganza of the performance of what is considered the most Christmas ballet in the world. All artists will present the magical performance with mood, finesse and professionalism. The lavish scenography, designed in a fabulous Christmas style, as well as the exquisite costumes, were created by the artist Radostin Chomakov, they are refined to the last detail and are maintained in the unified conceptual line of the production, the sets and the original design of the stage are also stunning, provided with perfect technicality – through the lighting and special effects. The assistant director is Petar Tiholov.

The remarkable production of the iconic ballet, which is traditionally performed at Christmas, is the work of Prof. Hikmet Mehmedov and combines the best of the generally accepted look for a festive spectacle with the perfectionism inherent in the distinguished choreographer and director, in terms of details, implicit messages, and giving emotional filling to the constructed images. It is no coincidence that the production of "The Nutcracker" enjoys long-standing stage success, as it is an emanation of the best of the classical school, adding softness, finesse and taste to every detail, through which the exquisite overall vision is built. The magic of the performance to the immortal music of Tchaikovsky will once again captivate the expected large audience, with artistic scope, captivating vision and performing mastery. One of the most beautiful productions of the Burgas Opera carries the high-class, aesthetic completeness and recognisable authorial style of Prof. Mehmedov.

The beautiful story of Masha and the Nutcracker, which turned into the girl's wonderful dream in The Prince, will be recreated on Friday by the charming young talented ballerina Ilina Konstantinova, who recently debuted with success in the role of Aurora in "The Sleeping Beauty" by P. I. Tchaikovsky, and in the summer season - as Cinderella in the ballet of the same name to music by Prokofiev. Ilina Mihaylova is the winner of the Burgas Municipality award for the best-performing Burgas participant in the International Ballet Competition "Sara-Nora Prima" 2025, held in the Burgas Opera hall. The role of the Nutcracker on December 5 will be performed by the premier ballet dancer of the State Opera – Burgas, Daniel Tichkov, who is distinguished by brilliant technical mastery and captivating stage presence.

Yana Berduta will be reborn as the Black Queen on Friday. Kiril Filipov will play the role of Drosselmeyer, and Andrea Sotirova will play the role of Fritz. Julia Letzi and Rafaela – Maria Kühl will dance as Masha’s friends. Anelia Ivanova will play the role of Masha’s mother.

The attractive ensembles will feature: Spanish dance – Laia Ramon, Haru Nakagawa; Oriental dance – Raya Chakarova, Gergana Georgieva, Patrick Gill; Chinese dance – Nanako Sato and Francesco Pio Russo; Russian dance – Gergana Kozarova, Maria Gabarova, Anna Pasello, Shun Kavafune. The roles of Parents will be: Bianca-Helen Giovanelli, Ivana Filaksovska, Polina Pasha, Gergana Kozarova, Nayden Naydenova, Francesco Russo, Stoyan Furtunov, and Patrick Gil. The roles of the Black Forces will be played by: Nayden Naydenov, Patrick Gil, Francesco Russo, and Shun Kavafune. Graceful “Snowflakes”, woven into the overall festive extravaganza on stage, will be: Laya Ramon – Raya Chakarova, Julia Letsi – Nanako Sato, Rafaela-Maria Küll, Gergana Georgieva, Gergana Kozarova, Bianca-Helen Giovanelli, Polina Pasha, Maria Gabarova. Participants in the graceful "Pink Waltz" will be the ballet artists: Laya Ramon, Raya Chakarova, Rafaela-Maria Kuhl, Nanako Sato, Patrick Gill, Haru Nakagawa, Francesco Russo, Shun Kawafune, Bianca-Helen Giovanelli, Gergana Georgieva, Gergana Kozarova, Maria Gabarova, Julia Letzi, and Anna Pasello.

It is expected that the festive performances on the stage of the Burgas Opera will create an elegant combination of finesse, a masterful recreation of the famous fairy tale plot, a smooth transition of the episodes, united by the ideological thread of the director's idea, skillfully and with scope.

On the eve of the bright holiday, the magical "steps" of fine art will seem to outline the pre-Christmas stage at the Opera House, heralding good days for the entire artistic team and for the visitors to the ballet extravaganza.

Expect the lineup for the second performance of "The Nutcracker" on the official page and on the Opera House website on December 22.

???? Tickets for the ballet performances of "The Nutcracker" can be purchased at the Opera House box office, the "Clock" box office /in front of the "Bulgaria" hotel, also open on Saturdays/, as well as in the Grabo and Eventim networks.