11 november 2026 Class and Finesse with "Swan Lake" on Friday at the Opera

The splendor of *Swan Lake*, set to the immortal music of P. I. Tchaikovsky, will once again be presented in all its glory on the stage of the State Opera – Burgas. This exceptional production—distinguished by its lavish, aesthetically refined visual design and its profound emotional and philosophical themes—will be performed on Friday, November 13, at 7:00 PM. For the third time, admirers of the fine art of ballet will have the opportunity to see the State Opera – Burgas’s own prima ballerina, Daniela Turtumanova-Stoyanova, in the dual role of Odette/Odile, alongside company soloist Teodor Tsakov as Prince Siegfried. Over the past three years, this production of *Swan Lake* has toured successfully across more than 25 Bulgarian cities, where the two leads and the entire ballet company of the Burgas Opera were met with an exceptionally warm reception and enthusiastic ovations.

This remarkable production embodies the finest classical ballet traditions. The staging, direction, and choreography are by Prof. Hikmet Mehmedov (based on the work of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov). Serving as assistant director is Vesa Tonova—a long-time prima ballerina, director, and ballet educator—who performed in the memorable premiere of *Swan Lake* in May 2016, which played to a packed house at the Burgas Opera. Prima ballerina Daniela Turtumanova-Stoyanova and Teodor Tsakov are expected to once again achieve a remarkable synchronicity—both in terms of emotional expression and the technical execution of demanding ballet elements.

Shun Kafafune, a Japanese dancer and member of the State Opera – Burgas company, takes on the character role of the Jester—a part requiring immense energy, deep emotion, exceptional vigor, and technical mastery. The role of the evil sorcerer Rothbart—who cast a cruel curse upon Odette and her companions, condemning them to take the form of beautiful, noble birds by day and regain their human shape only after sunset—is portrayed by Kiril Filipov, a soloist with the State Opera – Burgas ballet company. Aneliya Ivanova will perform the role of the Queen (Siegfried’s mother), bringing a sense of characteristic dignity and aristocratic poise to the character, while Bozhidar Komitov will appear as Wolfgang. The soloists performing character dances, as well as the ensemble members, are set to deliver beautiful and captivating performances; it is widely agreed that the company’s standard is remarkably high, as every dancer possesses the caliber of a soloist. The grand-scale production also features the "Little Swans"—the iconic ensemble dance performed by Giulia Lezzi, Kalina Nedelcheva, Nanaka Sato, and Ilina Konstantinova. The graceful "Big Swans" will be portrayed by Laia Ramon, Yana Berduta, Raya Chakarova, and Gergana Kozarova. In the spirited Spanish Dance, the audience at the Opera House will see Raya Chakarova and Haru Nakagawa; in the Neapolitan Dance, Ilina Konstantinova and Patrick Gill; and in the Hungarian Dance, Ivana Fialkovska, Iva Kavrakova, Francesco Russo, and Nayden Naydenov. Appearing on stage as the graceful Brides will be Laia Ramon, Yana Berduta, Tiana Velikova, and Polina Pasha. The Waltz in Act I will feature Haru Nakagawa, Bianca-Helen Giovanelli, Nayden Naydenov, Yana Berduta, Patrick Gill, Kalina Nedelcheva, Francesco Russo, Giulia Lezzi, Nanako Sato, Gergana Georgieva, Maria Gabarova, Sofia Ryazanova, and Tiana Velikova. The ethereal Swans will be portrayed by Laia Ramon, Yana Berduta, Raya Chakarova, Gergana Kozarova, Nanako Sato, Giulia Lezzi, Kalina Nedelcheva, Ilina Konstantinova, Tiana Velikova, Gergana Georgieva, Bianca-Helen Giovanelli, Maria Gabarova, Sofia Ryazanova, Polina Pasha, Viktoria Stankova, and Viktoria Lilova. Students from the ballet classes of the "Prof. Pancho Vladigerov" National School of Music and Performing Arts in Burgas are also taking part in this grand-scale production. Impressive—in terms of both choreography and the artists' performances—are all the emotionally charged ballet scenes between Odette/Odile and Siegfried, as well as the grand Waltz in Act I and the ethereal "white scenes," where sixteen swans moved in perfect unison, recreating the enchanting, mystical atmosphere of the spellbound lake.

The production by Prof. Hikmet Mehmedov stands out as an aesthetic achievement of the highest caliber: it is presented with intelligence and psychological depth, infused with subtle philosophical undertones, and features brilliant directorial concepts. The inclusion of "Swan Lake" in a company’s repertoire is an undeniable benchmark for the caliber of any ballet troupe. This lavish production—marked by its emotional resonance and grand scale—will return to the stage of the Burgas Opera this Friday, presented in all its splendor and artistic cohesion.

Galina Kalcheva, a long-serving prima ballerina at the Burgas Opera, serves as the ballet mistress for *Swan Lake*; she excels at maintaining a high level of emotional intensity, motivation, and professionalism among the dancers. Petar Tiholov and Lina Peeva serve as assistant directors. The exquisite costumes are the product of the creative vision of the late Tsvetanka Petkova-Stoynova, who personally oversaw the hand-application of every single Swarovski crystal onto the aesthetically refined stage attire. The impressive set design—transporting the audience to a lavish royal court and the mystical scenes by the lake—is the work of the acclaimed scenographer Ivan Tokadzhiev. It is no coincidence that Prof. Mehmedov’s *Swan Lake* is considered the most beautiful production of this immortal ballet classic on the Bulgarian stage. Blue, in various shades, was chosen as the primary color for the set. Multimedia is also incorporated into certain scenes, serving as an additional emotional and thematic layer to the overall artistic impact.

Regarded as the "ballet of all ballets," *Swan Lake* serves as a true benchmark for the caliber of any ballet company. Do not miss this unparalleled opportunity to experience art of the highest order—the performance takes place on November 13th at 7:00 PM at the State Opera – Burgas! Tickets are available at the Opera box office, the "Chasovnika" (The Clock) Ticket Center, as well as through the Eventim and Grabo networks.
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