A spectacular display of subtlety, artistry and dance
Photo above: © LE GRAND BAL der Wiener Hofburg & Andreas Tischler
Photos below by Maria Petrak Promotions www.mariapetrak.com
More photos by Maria Petrak are published on www.thebestoftheworld.info:
(Picasa album and Facebook) and Facebook Event
Photos below by Maria Petrak Promotions www.mariapetrak.com
(Picasa album and Facebook) and Facebook Event
HOFBURG Vienna’s former Managing Director Renate Danler and Ildiko Raimondi
© LE GRAND BAL der Wiener Hofburg, Andreas Tischler
Over 2,500 guests rang in the New Year at LE GRAND BAL at the HOFBURG Vienna! This glittering night reached several artistic peaks, inspired by L’Esprit Viennois, this year’s motto. At this very moment, guests are already reserving tickets for 2014. HOFBURG Vienna’s Managing Director, Mrs Renate Danler, opened this year’s ball season with LE GRAND BAL at the HOFBURG Vienna. The glamorous ambience, breathtaking staging, first-class artistic programme and sumptuous gala dinner drew over 2,500 guests to the former imperial residence. “It always gives me such pleasure to see that so many Austrian as well as international guests – from over 40 nations – chose to celebrate the New Year with us at LE GRAND BAL at the HOFBURG Vienna”, says Danler.
Artistic and culinary highlights
The artistic staging by renowned set and costume designer Christof Cremer, inspired by the motto L’Esprit Viennois, combined joie de vivre with the enchantments of the Vienna ball season. The first highpoint was reached with the festive ball opening: soloists from the Vienna State Opera Ballet Association, featuring Ketevan Papava and Eno Peci, performed a vivacious, acrobatically choreographed dance to Bacchanale by Camille Saint-Saëns. “Designing the ballet for LE GRAND BAL at the HOFBURG Vienna and the overwhelming response by the audience were wonderful experience for me to cherish”, proclaimed choreographer Lukas Gaudernak. Next, opera star and celebrated soprano Ildikó Raimondi performed the aria Ah! Je ris de me voir from Charles Gounod’s Faust. The debutantes from the Elmayer School of Dance presented the Fächerpolonaise by Carl Michael Ziehrer as well as the Kuss-Walzer by Johann Strauss.
At midnight, guests were treated to wonderful traditional elements like the ringing of the Pummerin bell, fireworks and the Blue Danube Waltz. The New Year was ushered in by artists appearing under the artistic direction of Herbert Fischerauer, such as Ildikó Raimondi, along with soloists from the Vienna State Opera and the Volksoper Vienna, including Anita Götz, Matjaž Stopinšek and Glen Desmedt, performing arias from Verdi to Puccini and Strauss. “The unique atmosphere in the Festsaal was overwhelming. In such ambience, singing is a very special pleasure”, stated Raimondi. At a later hour the guests danced the popular quadrille presented by the Elmayer School of Dance.From a culinary perspective, guests were pampered with every indulgence at the elegant New Year’s gala dinner, just prior to the ball. The midnight buffet offered delectable morsels at midnight, while the Demel Café, with its refined creations, became a popular meeting point for connoisseurs. In the Chill-Out Lounge, the guests danced to hot-and-heavy hip rhythms and also enjoyed “Happy New Year” cocktails provided by Copaloca until the break of day.
Rendezvous with top-class guests
Numerous personalities from the worlds of politics, culture, academics and business celebrated the New Year at the HOFBURG Vienna. LE GRAND BAL was an enticing event for singer Timna Brauer, actress Konstanze Breitebner, presenter Heilwig Pfanzelter and cabaret artist Edith Leyrer as well as Russian star pianist Masha Dimitrieva. Even opera diva Birgit Sarata, musical icon Marika Lichter and Life Ball organiser Gery Keszler delighted in the magnificent evening, which was brimming with first-class artistic highlights. The world of fashion was represented by Austria-based haute couture designer Anelia Peschev who, drawing inspiration from this year’s l’Esprit Viennois ball motto, created a grand ball gown for Managing Director Ms Danler. “It was difficult for me to decide among so many amazing creations”, the Director confessed. “The glimmering black gown reflected the elegance of LE GRAND BAL and accentuated the rich and sparkling atmosphere of the Hofburg.” LE GRAND BAL at the HOFBURG Vienna was also a rendezvous for the organisers of other major balls held on these premises. Thus, many of these hosts paid homage to the Hofburg by their presence. Ambassadors, envoys and embassy staff represented the international flair of LE GRAND BAL at the HOFBURG Vienna.
Prospects for the 2014 ball
The planning of the highlights for New Year’s Eve 2014 is already underway at the HOFBURG Vienna. Numerous reservations have already been received for next year’s ball. Even in the evening of New Year’s Eve, a large number of tickets was booked for next year!
The artistic staging by renowned set and costume designer Christof Cremer, inspired by the motto L’Esprit Viennois, combined joie de vivre with the enchantments of the Vienna ball season. The first highpoint was reached with the festive ball opening: soloists from the Vienna State Opera Ballet Association, featuring Ketevan Papava and Eno Peci, performed a vivacious, acrobatically choreographed dance to Bacchanale by Camille Saint-Saëns. “Designing the ballet for LE GRAND BAL at the HOFBURG Vienna and the overwhelming response by the audience were wonderful experience for me to cherish”, proclaimed choreographer Lukas Gaudernak. Next, opera star and celebrated soprano Ildikó Raimondi performed the aria Ah! Je ris de me voir from Charles Gounod’s Faust. The debutantes from the Elmayer School of Dance presented the Fächerpolonaise by Carl Michael Ziehrer as well as the Kuss-Walzer by Johann Strauss.
Rendezvous with top-class guests
Numerous personalities from the worlds of politics, culture, academics and business celebrated the New Year at the HOFBURG Vienna. LE GRAND BAL was an enticing event for singer Timna Brauer, actress Konstanze Breitebner, presenter Heilwig Pfanzelter and cabaret artist Edith Leyrer as well as Russian star pianist Masha Dimitrieva. Even opera diva Birgit Sarata, musical icon Marika Lichter and Life Ball organiser Gery Keszler delighted in the magnificent evening, which was brimming with first-class artistic highlights. The world of fashion was represented by Austria-based haute couture designer Anelia Peschev who, drawing inspiration from this year’s l’Esprit Viennois ball motto, created a grand ball gown for Managing Director Ms Danler. “It was difficult for me to decide among so many amazing creations”, the Director confessed. “The glimmering black gown reflected the elegance of LE GRAND BAL and accentuated the rich and sparkling atmosphere of the Hofburg.” LE GRAND BAL at the HOFBURG Vienna was also a rendezvous for the organisers of other major balls held on these premises. Thus, many of these hosts paid homage to the Hofburg by their presence. Ambassadors, envoys and embassy staff represented the international flair of LE GRAND BAL at the HOFBURG Vienna.
Prospects for the 2014 ball
The planning of the highlights for New Year’s Eve 2014 is already underway at the HOFBURG Vienna. Numerous reservations have already been received for next year’s ball. Even in the evening of New Year’s Eve, a large number of tickets was booked for next year!
© LE GRAND BAL der Wiener Hofburg, Andreas Tischler
Highlights at midnight
“One truly special highlight was the presentation at midnight,” the Managing Director stated excitedly. Certain traditional elements are “typically Viennese”, like the breathtaking fireworks above Heldenplatz, the pealing of the famous Pummerin bell in St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the “Blue Danube Waltz”. Opera star Ildikó Raimondi and prominent soloists from the Vienna Staatsoper and Volksoper, such as Anita Götz, Eugene Amesmann and Matjaž Stopinšek, amazed the ball guests with aria performances from Verdi to Puccini and Strauss.
Viennese sophistication from the finest
Prior to the opening of the ball, the guests to LE GRAND BAL at the HOFBURG Vienna were pampered with a New Year’s dinner by GERSTNER Catering. Refined creations from the buffet and from the Viennese Coffeehouse as well as the “Happy New Year’s” cocktails by COPALOCA are an experience to delight all the senses.
Guests in the spotlight
“LE GRAND BAL at the HOFBURG Vienna, with all of its attractions, appeals to both Austrian and international guests who delight in a rousing night at the ball of the finest level”. Unlike any other Viennese ball, this year’s LE GRAND BAL at the HOFBURG Vienna embodied the modern internationalism of Vienna, with the multicultural flair that evolved from the tradition of the imperial monarchy which creates the rich diversity of Vienna to this day. The mix of national and international guests is also reflected in the choice of artists. Inspired by the greats of Viennese music, they ultimately are part of the pulsating heartbeat of this fascinating city.
LE GRAND BAL Team 2013: Sabrina Weber, Monika Scheinost, Renate Danler, Claudia Reis
© LE GRAND BAL der Wiener Hofburg & Andeas Tischler
More photos from the ball are published on The Best of the World Network picasa album.
© LE GRAND BAL der Wiener Hofburg & Andeas Tischler
More photos from the ball are published on The Best of the World Network picasa album.
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