Opulent production of historic Swan Lake ballet in Cork next month 

Katerina Petrova discusses the work, will, and persistence that lies behind the on-stage beauty of professional ballet

Katerina Petrova and Tsetso Ivanov at Cork Opera House last year.  Picture:  David Creedon

“Every working day begins with a ballet class. After that we have a series of rehearsals,” explains Romanian-born ballerina, Katerina Petrova. “Sometimes we have to rehearse several titles at once, which is quite exhausting both physically and mentally. Especially as each ballet performance has its own quirks.” 

Principal dancer Katerina first travelled to Ireland last November to perform with Cork City Ballet in their production of The Nutcracker. Katerina is a Prima Ballerina of Sofia State Ballet. She travels and dances with her husband Tsetso Ivanov, and is mother to a young son.