Dubai was the third official venue to host Vienna Opera Ball

The 56th Vienna Opera Ball opened with a heady mix of culture, glamour and politics in the Austrian capital on the 16th of February.  The 84-year-old Roger Moore and Danish actress Brigitte Nielsen were Austrian entrepreneur Richard Lugner’s special guests at this year’s Opera Ball. Sports stars were also drawn to the spectacular event, with former German tennis great Boris Becker and ex-footballing compatriot Lothar Matthaus making their first visits.

The political world was also in evidence, with much of the Austrian government enjoying a a break from the woes of the eurozone. President Heinz Fischer invited UN chief Ban Ki-moon after a day of intense talks about the crisis in Syria. The secretary-general of the United Nations, praised the ball as a “celebration of Austrian music culture”.

Such a splendid event can surely once again trill Dubai’s society and attract superstars, sportsmen and politicians from across the Middle East to the city that never sleeps. 

Back in 2005, after Vienna and New York, Dubai was the third official venue to host the sumptuous event. Officially endorsed by the Vienna Opera Ball of Austria, this unique event showcased the magic of Vienna and Austrian ancient tradition to the U.A.E.

Guests enjoyed the authentic Viennese-style ball, having the same features as the original “Wiener Opernball” at the Vienna State Opera: Austrian culinary delights, the festive entrance of the debutantes and their partners and even the original Opera Ball Orchestra, flown in just for this glittering and romantic evening.

The Vienna Opera Ball Dubai was part of the Vienna Opera Ball series, and has taken place on two occasions in Dubai of the United Arab Emirates.

The first Dubai Opera Ball was held on February 17, 2005, at Madinat Jumeirah. Its main patron was Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Chairman of The Emirates Group.

The second Dubai Opera Ball took place on Thursday, March 16, 2006, again at the Madinat Jumeirah and under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Emirates Airline was a title sponsor.

Background to the Vienna Opera Ball

In January 1935, the first ball to be known as the Vienna Opera Ball was celebrated at the Opera House in Vienna. It surpassed anything the house had seen before. Despite a hiatus during the Second World War, the tradition resumed in 1956 and once again captivated international society. The very words, “Vienna Opera Ball” conjure an image of one of the most glittering and romantic events on the international society calendar. Kings, statesmen, politicians, industrialists and countless famous artists have already fulfilled their dreams of taking part in this unique event: The Duchess of York, and actresses Sophia Loren and Minnie Driver to name just a few.

Under the patronage of the Austrian Federal President, it strictly follows tradition. The festive entrance of the young gentlemen with their debutantes into the splendidly decorated ballroom, the strains of the Polonaise, the opening ballet, the dance of young couples and finally the first waltz, when the elegant guests make their way to the dance floor, evoke a world of glamour which entrances audiences worldwide.

In the United Arab Emirates, the event was fully supported by the Austrian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Austrian Chamber of Commerce back in 2005 and 2006.
“Austria is not only known for its industrial and trading wealth, which makes it one of the richest countries in Europe, but for its cultural heritage. The sources are found in the Austrian Habsburg-Empire, where a characteristic culture evolved through Vienna’s melting pot of many Central European people. The interrelation of this culture culminated in raising famous composers like Mozart and Strauss who made Vienna the cultural capital of Europe. Their music is celebrated in worldwide renowned “Vienna Balls”, a lifestyle of the Austrians,” said Dr. Nikolaus Seiwald, Commercial Counsellor of the Austrian Embassy in the Austrian Trade Commission, in the U.A.E. “The economic wealth behind our specific culture is enormous. I only can appreciate and strongly support bringing that part of our culture to our fans in this part of the world to enjoy a slice of our lifestyle.”