Nikola Hadjitanev is a premier soloist ballet dancer with the Sofia Opera and Ballet in Bulgaria, where he was born. He was a prized student at the National School of Dance Art, winning various distinctive awards and scholarships throughout his training before graduating and joining the Sofia Opera and Ballet as a soloist dancer in 2006. He has been decorated in his professional career as well, winning prestigious awards such as the Crystal Lyre, Partner Award at Varna International Ballet Competition, and the Golden Feather for his contribution to Bulgarian culture, among others. He has performed worldwide, including gala spectacles in Russia, Italy, Greece, Germany, the USA; the Stars of the World Ballet Festivals in Russia; and opera houses in Lithuania, Slovenia, Russia, among others. His repertoire includes premier roles in a multitude of notable ballets, including “Swan Lake,” “Don Quixote,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Giselle,” and many more. Nikola Hadjitanev’s last appearance in our production was 2019, and we are looking forward to him gracing our stage once again for the 2023 season!
Marta Petkova is an internationally renowned prima ballerina, and since 2022, the Chief Artistic Director of the Sofia Opera and Ballet. Born in 1986 in Sofia, Bulgaria, she graduated from the National School of Dance in 2004. Both prior to her graduation, and in her professional career, she has received numerous distinctive awards, including the Crystal Lyre. She joined the Sofia Opera and Ballet in 2002 and achieved the distinction of prima in 2007. Since that time, she has traveled around the world to star in a myriad of ballet productions including Don Quixote, Swan Lake, La Bayadere, and many others. She has partnered with ballet greats worldwide, including Kimin Kim, Vadim Muntagirov, Denis Rodkin and Svetlana Zakharova, and she has danced in the most distinguished theaters around the globe, including the seaside stage off the Mariinsky, Oslo Opera House, the Bolshoi Theatre, and many more, but her home is with the Sofia Opera and Ballet in Bulgaria. In 2019, she was honored for her overall contribution in ballet art. Marta Petkova previously graced our Nutcracker stage from 2016-2019, and we are extremely honored to welcome her back for the 2023 season!