The Opera Ball will be opened this year by two superstars, Elena Karanka and Piotr Besala. The program includes “Barcarolle” from “Les Contes d'Hoffman,” Polonaise from “Eugene Onegin,” arias from “Carmen” and “Don Carlos,” and “Granada” from Agustin Lara. Even for artists of this caliber, the performance that evening was special. “This is not a commitment in the usual sense, but an invitation to create a special evening together, to celebrate a party together. It goes to the special friends of the house and is very welcome,” said director Bogdan Rosic.
For the fourth time, the Upper Austrian dance school Santner was responsible for the choreography of the 144 pairs of young women and young men – as well as the committee entrance and opening waltzes. Swarovski once again presented tiaras to the debutantes.
Presley is already in Vienna
Federal president Alexander van der Bellen invited his Montenegrin counterpart Jakov Miladovic to the ball. Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) arrives with Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia. Vice Chancellor for Culture Werner Koegler (Greens) ignores the ball; He is represented by Andrea Mayer, the Green Party's Secretary of State for Culture.
Master builder Lukner brings Elvis Presley's ex-wife Priscilla Presley to the opera. He landed in Vienna on Monday afternoon and will make his first public appearances on Wednesday at a press conference and autograph session in Lukner City.
No major problems before. “It has to be more reliable,” Lugner said. Lukner is preparing to dance with Presley, so he refreshes his knowledge with a private lesson with a dance teacher.
Opera Ball at ORF
ORF will broadcast the highlight of the ball season for four hours live on ORF2 from 8:15pm and in a live stream at tvthek.ORF.at. ORF.at comes with the main social event in text, images and video.
Politics and show celebrities behind the box
“Django” actor Franco Nero, German comedian and presenter Oliver Böcher and singer Heino will sit in the box of German businessman Markus Düssl – more on this at wien.ORF.at. Manager Helmut Werner also announced another guest, who he intends to announce on Wednesday. Also coming from Germany is the now regular guest, brilliant designer Harald Klögler. By the way, Deussl's box is prominently placed: it is in the vicinity of the federal president.
A large police force has been deployed there
The Opera Ball means a big operation every year for the Viennese police. More than 400 officers will be on duty in and around the State Opera Thursday evening, police spokesman Markus Dittrich told APA. At the time of the ball, explosives experts and explosives detection dogs search for Opera.
Opera Ball Commentators: A Review
Star guests Karl Hohenlohe and Christoph Wagner-Trenkwitz have been commentating at the Opera Ball since 2001.
In the evening, various units and departments – including the Vienna Alarm Department (WEGA) and the Service Dog Squad – are active. Officials of the COBRA Task Force look after the personal security of high-level state representatives and state guests.
“We meticulously planned the operation at the opera ball,” Dittrich said. “Essentially it's about the uninterrupted progression of the event.” Attention was also paid to cases of disruptive activities and other activities. Last year there was action by climate activists on the red carpet.
