Vienna’s Imperial ball
Before we start talking about the present day ball, a bit of history. It is interesting to note out that during carnivals the medium classes were allowed to wear costumes and masks and to mimic aristocracy and heads of church without fear of being accused of mockery. How about that for freedom of speech?
Time has passed and things got out of hand. Because of this, the authorities at the time decided that the custom should be forbidden, for a while anyway. Even Empress Maria Theresia (1717-1780) decreed at one point that people are not allowed to wear masks in the streets. As a direct consequence ball was moved indoors.
The annual imperial ball of Vienna is an event of such magnitude in Austria that it is broadcasted live on television all over the world. Everybody participates no matter if you are in a dazzling costume at the ball itself or watching it in the comfortably from your home. This is a great ball with both entertainment and splendid music. A combination of modern with traditional. A harmonious mixed between the design of the building and the luxurious flower arrangements and customs with the enchanting music of the famous orchestras that are privileged to play there…
The Imperial Ball takes place on December 31 in the Viennese Hofburg Palace. And the former winter residence of the Austrian Emperor becomes for the new year’s eve a gathering place for visitors and guests from all over the world.
The doors of the palace open 8 p.m on new year’s eve and guests are welcomed in the entrance hall of Hofburg Palace to the gorgeous music of the famous Hofball Orchestra. The historical changing of guards’ ceremony officially marks the beginning of what will be a night to remember.
You can spend one of the most unforgettable St Sylverster nights ever watching elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen in black tie from all the capitals of Europe. The first thing that will catch your eyes is probably a Viennese lady dressed as Empress Sisi and a gentleman dressed in the military uniform of Emperor Franz Josef that great every guest that arrives. Your lady will receive a small gift ”1” as a token of the evening and members of the Ball Committee, will guide you to seats and you can dance in any of the seven ballrooms between dinner courses. At midnight, the bells of St. Stephan’s Cathedral can be heard and guests are invited to welcome the New Year to the strains of the Danube Waltz.
Shortly after midnight the Viennese Operetta, featuring singers and dancers from the Vienna State Opera and the Volksopera performing scenes from Viennese operettas, takes place in the grand festival hall after which the dance floor is opened to the ball guest until the final waltz is played just before 5 a.m. announcing the end of the ball and the beginning of a new year.
To foreign visitors there is something magical and unreal in this ball it is actually living history at its best. Just over a hundred years ago every capital in Europe held such balls. Today you can live such an experience in films and plays or by spending the new year’s eve at the Vienna Imperial ball.
- ”Originally, the present was designed to hold the Dance Card. A card where all dances of the night were listed and men reserved their dance with a particular young woman by writing their name next to the dance they desired” [back]
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December 20th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
I fear the author of this article confused the Imperial Ball with the Opera Ball in the third paragraph. Its the Opera Ball, that takes place in the States Opera, that gets aired live on the national television. Its the one that gets the most attention.
As noblest ball I think the ball of the Viennese Philharmonics is named often.
Having that said, the Imperial ball takes place in the Hofburg which hosts many balls and is quite stunning as venue for balls. Its one out of many balls that take place in Vienna each year, but it probably is the one foreigners can get into easier than others that are held by certain institutions or certain profession groups.
That does not mean that the Imperial ball is less impressive than the others, I am sure it features all the things that make out a traditional Viennese ball, which everyone who gets the chance should try to see while being in Vienna.