26 october 2026 A Тheatrical Gem Was Created with "Don Quixote" on the Burgas st
On Monday evening (October 26), the artists of the State Opera Burgas ballet troupe, joined by the talented students from the ballet classes of the "Prof. Pancho Vladigerov" National School of Music and Performing Arts in Burgas, were met with a shower of applause and enthusiastic cries of "Bravo!" following their spirited performance of *Don Quixote*, directed by Galina Kalcheva.
The two soloists—Daniela Turtumanova-Stoyanova and Daniel Tichkov—who first shone as a duo during a performance at the Summer Theatre this past August (when the State Opera Burgas prima ballerina made her memorable debut as Kitri), once again delivered a captivating blend of graceful movement, passion, and dazzling, vibrant rhythms.
All the soloists, as well as the ensemble dancers, gave wonderful performances; each brought a polished brilliance that perfectly complemented the overall, striking stage spectacle.
In the roles of the iconic pair from Miguel de Cervantes’ novel—Don Quixote and Sancho Panza—Petar Tiholov was impressive as the "Knight of the Sorrowful Countenance," while Francesco Pio Russo gave a fantastic performance as his loyal, comic companion in chivalry, Sancho Panza. Teodor Tsakov and Raya Chakarova—as Espada and Mercedes—were an unstoppable whirlwind of southern temperament and charming stage presence. Laia Ramon, in the role of the Queen of the Dryads, was poised and commanding. Giulia Lezzi, as Cupid, was playfully delicate and charming. Yana Berduta and Nanako Sato also stood out with their vibrant stage presence as Kitri’s friends. The Toreadors—Kiril Filipov, Nayden Naydenov, Patrick Gill, and Hristo Trifonov—were remarkable for their dynamism and technical mastery. In the passionate Gypsy Dance, Kalina Nedelcheva and Shun Kawafune were spellbinding.
Stoyan Furtunov portrayed the nobleman Gamache with a distinct sense of humor. Penyo Garbov appeared as the Innkeeper—Kitri’s father, who wishes to marry her off to the wealthy Gamache—while Sofia Lovdzhieva played the Innkeeper’s wife. The women accompanying the Toreadors were Anelia Ivanova, Giulia Lezzi, Ilina Konstantinova, Gergana Kozarova, Sofia Ryazanova, and Laia Ramon. The spirited Seguidilla was performed by Ivana Fialkovska, Vasilena Todorova, Maria Gabarova, Gergana Georgieva, Bianca-Helen Giovanelli, Kalina Nedelcheva, Polina Pasha, Tiana Velikova, Nayden Naydenov, Haru Nakagawa, Kiril Filipov, and Hristo Trifonov. The enchanting "Dream in the Dryads' Forest" featured performances by: Nanako Sato, Ilina Konstantinova, Yana Berduta, Gergana Kozarova, Gergana Georgieva, Polina Pasha, Sofia Ryazanova, Maria Gabarova, Bianca-Helen Giovanelli, Tiana Velikova, Anelia Ivanova, Raya Chakarova, Vasilena Todorova, and Ivana Fialkovska. The captivating "Entrée" featured: Yana Berduta, Nanako Sato, Ilina Konstantinova, Tiana Velikova, Gergana Kozarova, Giulia Lezzi, Polina Pasha, and Sofia Ryazanova. The "Spanish Dance" was performed by: Raya Chakarova, Vasilena Todorova, Maria Gabarova, Anelia Ivanova, Ivana Fialkovska, Bianca-Helen Giovanelli, Teodor Tsakov, Kiril Filipov, Haru Nakagawa, Nayden Naydenov, Patrick Gill, and Shun Kawafune.
Congratulations on a magnificent performance, and best of luck in Pleven on October 29th with *Don Quixote*!
A shower of ovations and enthusiastic cries of "Bravo!" greeted the artists of the State Opera Burgas ballet troupe and the wonderful students from the ballet classes of the "Prof. Pancho Vladigerov" National School of Music and Performing Arts (NUMSI) in Burgas last night, following their spirited performance of *Don Quixote*, directed by Galina Kalcheva.
Congratulations on a magnificent performance, and best of luck for the upcoming show in Pleven on October 29th with *Don Quixote*!
The applause following the finale:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1F29i4pzk2/
Stay tuned for more details and additional photos on the official website of the Burgas Opera. October 26, 7:00 PM, Hall of the State Opera – Burgas
DON QUIXOTE
BALLET SET TO MUSIC BY LUDWIG MINKUS
Choreography – Marius Petipa, Alexander Gorsky
Staging – Galina Kalcheva
Assistant Director – Lina Peeva
Set Design – Ivan Tokadzhiev
Costume Design – Yana Dvoretska
Makeup and Wigs – Kalina Popova
Wardrobe – Kicka Grozeva, Nedka Ivanova, Pepa Ruseva, Rositsa Atanasova, Yana Vlaeva
Soloists and Ensemble of the State Opera – Burgas
In the lead roles:
Kitri – Daniela Turtumanova-Stoyanova, Prima Ballerina
Basilio – Daniel Tichkov, Principal Dancer
Espada – Teodor Tsakov, Soloist of the Ballet Company
Mercedes – Raya Chakarova
Don Quixote – Petar Tiholov
Sancho Panza – Francesco Russo
Gamache – Stoyan Fartunov
Innkeeper – Penyo Garbov
Innkeeper’s Wife – Sofia Lovdzhieva
Queen of the Dryads – Laia Ramon
Cupid – Giulia Lezzi
Kitri’s Friends – Yana Berduta and Nanako Sato
Gypsy Dance – Kalina Nedelcheva and Shun Kawafune
Toreadors: Kiril Filipov, Patrick Gill, Naiden Naidenov, Hristo Trifonov
Women with Toreadors: Aneliya Ivanova, Giulia Lezzi, Ilina Konstantinova, Gergana Kozarova, Sofia Ryazanova, Laia Ramon
Seguidilla: Ivana Fialkovska, Vasilena Todorova, Maria Gabarova, Gergana Georgieva, Bianca-Helen Giovannelli, Kalina Nedelcheva, Polina Pasha, Tiana Velikova, Naiden Naidenov, Haru Nakagawa, Kiril Filipov, Hristo Trifonov
Dream: Nanako Sato, Ilina Konstantinova, Yana Berduta, Gergana Kozarova, Gergana Georgieva, Polina Pasha, Sofia Ryazanova, Maria Gabarova, Bianca-Helen Giovannelli, Tiana Velikova, Aneliya Ivanova, Raya Chakarova, Vasilena Todorova, Ivana Fialkovska
Entrée: Yana Berduta, Nanako Sato, Ilina Konstantinova, Tiana Velikova, Gergana Kozarova, Giulia Lezzi, Polina Pasha, Sofia Ryazanova
Spanish Dance: Raya Chakarova, Vasilena Todorova, Maria Gabarova, Aneliya Ivanova, Ivana Fialkovska, Bianca-Helen Giovannelli, Teodor Tsakov, Kiril Filipov, Haru Nakagawa, Naiden Naidenov, Patrick Gil, Shun Kawafune
Featuring the ballet ensemble of the State Opera – Burgas and students from the ballet classes at the "Prof. Pancho Vladigerov" National School of Music and Performing Arts, Burgas